Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author

ASM mountaineering course

rama15

2-Feb-2005
2:52:28 PM

I am thinking of pursuing the ASM introductory mountaineering course later this year, originally the plan was to head off to Mt.Cook and learn on some of the big boy's but the usual happened and money became thin, so I am wanting to hear from anyone with experience or opinions in regards to the Australian course.

Robb

2-Feb-2005
7:03:02 PM

dont know if there is much point doing a mountaineering course where there are no glaciers. new zealand is perfect and learning in that envonment should sort you out for most places in the world -(in terms of technial terrain and glacier travel). i have never done a course, but ive climbed around a and the terrain in NZ compares with some of the gnarlier stuff around. you could die of hypothermia in the aussie alps but thats about it (or you could fall off a chair lift).

you might learn some useful stuff like snow anchors but if you already have a climbing background, there wont be too much you can learn and apply in AUstralia.

thats my thoughts anyway.

maxots

2-Feb-2005
7:14:19 PM

agree with beefy !

oh, ifg you go to nz, get a private guide, you wont have to go over heaps of stuff twice !

rama15

2-Feb-2005
7:17:39 PM

yeah, pretty much as I figured. Thought I could get out of it cheaper .New Zealnd is definately the only option for real experience. Thanks

glacier-rat

3-Feb-2005
8:28:33 AM

the outfitter who arranged our logisitics in argentina for my expedition in december runs tech courses in the andes (ramada region) starting from US$300 for 5 days and covers the same stuff that the nz courses do. They start out on the smaller pre-andean peaks upto 4000m then a couple of days on the 5-6000ers in the andes proper

If you can get a cheap flight over there it may be an option, and you may be able to hook up with some locals for an expedition after wards?

i can give you the contact details of the guy if you like.

julian.A

3-Feb-2005
9:47:43 AM

I usually guide two or three of the ASM courses each winter. (but this winter I'll be in the Alps)

The Aussie courses obviously lack the glacier aspects, and to a degree the "real mountain environment" (in comparison to Mt Cook, the Alps etc).

Most of the clients I've taken have used it to get an idea about whether or not alpine climbing is for them, ie. Do they mind being cold. About half I guess (who continue), then head over to NZ the next summer. Lots of clients are also planning trips to Nepal etc, on guided trips and want a bit of an introduction.
One good thing I think is that you learn about snow camping, and winter avo conditions.
It's a cheap way to find out if your into it.

Either way you'll learn more with a guide than with mates who think they can teach you.

rama15

5-Feb-2005
3:22:43 AM

yeah thanks for that but I'm pretty keen on doing some stuff at a more comfortable altitude at this stage. I recently trekked to EBC in Nepal and summited Island Peak on the return, technically basic and really only about three pitches of about 100 feet each to reach the summit but the views were outstanding, and I think this is what has caused me to catch the bug. I want to learn the technical side at an altitude that won't be a hinderance and then move onto some serious climbs where the altitude also has to be contended with.

There are 7 messages in this topic.