Philistine

Rob and Ari get AMPED!! Especially Rob. Hes really amped.

Mountain
Personal/Instruction
Group:Me, Ari and Rob
Conditions: Low valley cloud, fine, no wind. Snow very patchy and wind/sun affected.
Route: Otira river, up the gully, the bluffs, summit then out the same way.
Time: 8 hours

Started at 8am and walked up the track along the Otira River. Followed the gully up from the bridge and picked our way up the bluffs. Thought that the route went up the ridge line so we made our way up there where the snow conditions became pretty nasty and the ridge quite gnarly. Bailed off there and found the actual climb, going up the main gully then up the east ridge for 200m onto Philistine. Made the summit just before 2pm. Made our way down the north ridge then back out the same way.

Rob and Ari Stoked on the summit

Me, demonstrating the classic mountaineers pose

Did some basic movement work with Rob and Ari, walking with and ice axe and crampons. Did a bit of avalanche stuff, the layers in the snow, effects of the wind and sun, terrain traps and prone slopes. Spacing out and not stressing more loaded slopes, fall lines etc. Really cool day!