Hello all.

Long lost Australian living in Scotland, UK. I do lots of winter climbing in our highlands here and occaisionally get over to the French Alps.

Im off to Nepal in Oct 08 to climb mera and island peak (via Amphu Labtsa) with World Expeditions - anyone done this trip before?

Also, I only got into the winter stuff since moving over here, so never really thought about winter climbing in Oz. There is obviously plenty in NZ, but what about good winter snow/ice routes in Oz - are there many??

It's cool that you started a thread where you can talk to each other in your native language.

G´day Andrew. Not much Ice climbing available except in good seasons (exceptional seasons these days) up near Blue Lake on the main range. Not much height though, just enough to practice really. Watson´s Crags on the north side of the range used to be good years ago but would be rarely in condition in recent years I would think. Could be the odd hidden gem in Tassie, I dunno.

Hello all,

I am an Australian living in the US near New York.

A couple of links for ice in Australia (Victoria):

http://www.chockstone.org/MtBulla/MtBulla.htm
http://www.chockstone.org/MtBogong/MtBogong.htm

Chockstone also has other good guides and a forum for victorian climbing.

Wow. Nice find, Craig. I´ve been to the top of Buller and wondered what was below on the southern side.

This is a great find. Looks so much like Scotland, and I now know where I am moving to if/when I go back

When it is condition mt. buller it is actually very good.

Much of it is solid frozen snow, but there are also some sections that have vertical ice.

I would say it is akin to scotland.

Check out chockstone.org for conditions, they usually have a cureent forum on it.

G'day all! Proudly putting up my hand as another Aussie SP'er. Currently living in London but will always be a Melbournian at heart.

aec,

Done much climbing in Scotland? Looks like I will be moving over to London in a couple of months so if you need a climbing/hillwalking partner send me a PM.

craigdolby wrote:Looks like I will be moving over to London in a couple of months so if you need a climbing/hillwalking partner send me a PM.

Dude, haven't heard from you in a while. Whats up?

If any of you SP'ers are thinking of heading to Buller, I can highly recommend the West ridge approach. It's only a few hours with a light pack, and gives the whole day an "alpine feel".

In terms of pro for the actual climbing: it's mainly wires, bugaboos, small angles, cams to 2" and stakes. I've never sunk a decent screw there, although you could lead the very short waterfall if in condition.

...

Hey Aussie SP'ers

I've got some gear I'm trying to unload...some new BD and MHW climbing packs still with tags totally unused, an Osprey Exposure 66 that I used last summer in NZ, a pair of BD Guide Gloves used for an overnight winter trip in NZ and some more clothing and ice/snow gear if anyone is interested.

I'm in Sydney btw

hey all, been on here a few months loving it. Off to Elbrus in August to continue "the 7" anyone interested? send me a PM otherwise Im doing Kozi end of July for a nice winter trip.


cheers
Andy

Love this site, only a recent convert.

Anyone keen for Ossa in Taz in early Autumn? Its the last of the 'Puny 7 Summits' for me to conquer (highest peaks in Australia's states/territorys).

Also Climbing Aconcagua in January 2010. Haha huge step up but good for a challenge!!!

Let me know!

Another sign up on SP from an antipodean. I am based in Sydney and will head to Blue Lake at some stage this winter if there is a reasonable freeze and getting back into rock climbing after a long break. Let me know if your keen, cheers.