Instruction
Polytech
Supervisors: Rob Dunn, Sash Nukada
Instructors: Me, Brad, Tim, Pete
Group: First Years (my group) Vasho, Richie, Stu
13/8
Missed due to a series of unfortunate communicative errors.
14/8
Location: Cheeseman Ski field
Conditions: North west winds, very poor visibility.
Avalanche: Considerable to high
The road didn't open until 11am, so we did a theory session in the morning, I covered navigation; orientating the map with and without a compass, map features, basic route planning, compass bearings, nav tools. And then we did some knot work; clove and italian hitches, double fishermans, stopper knot, tape knot and prussik knots.
On the ski field the conditions were not at all flash, very poor visibility and the avalanche conditions were somewhat concerning. We had planned to go up to the high point at the top of the ski field via the ridge and along to the south, but the conditions didn't agree, so we went up to the flat spot in the field and did another skills session. My guys had all be absorbed into different groups, so had all learnt slightly different things the day before, which was both interesting and useful. We did movement skills, self arresting, fitting crampons and avalanche rescue.
Weather closed in more and the field closed, then the road closed as there had been several avalanches over it. The road was closed for the night so we abandoned the Hino and walked back to the lodge.
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| Snow mound! Rolleston in the background. |
Location: Avalanche Peak
Conditions: North west winds, raining/snowing
Avalanche: Moderate on east and south east slopes, considerable on all others
Delayed start due to having to shuttle into Arthurs because of the Hino being stuck on the ski field. Walking up Scotts Track by 11am. Did Nav, plants and some avalanche stuff on the way up. At 1500m we stopped and the plan was snow mounding. Except that we were quite late and pushing it for time. I had the strongest team and we got there first, so I got them straight into digging like crazy in minimal snow. Then the other teams got there and decided they were going to tent instead. We just got the snow mound finished in time, before it got fully dark. Successful day!
16/8
Location: Avalanche Peak
Conditions: Winds dying out, fairly stable weather in the morning with an array of interesting cloud, turning south westerly snowing in the evening
Avalanche: Moderate on east and south east slopes, considerable on all others
Peak day! Finally the weather allowed us to go some where. Did a crampon session in the morning just in case we needed them up higher and then started on our journey. My crew went first so the we could plug a track for everyone else. Did lots of route finding with the boys and put them up a few little rock scrambles. Successful Peak mission.
In the afternoon we had a really good avalanche session with Rob, going over probe lines and digging technique. Then we had a third year session with Rob and Sash while it started snowing at the first years made dinner. Went over multiple burials and tested out the various transievers. The F1 definately came out trumphs.
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| Brad's crew coming along the ridge to the summit |
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| Mine and Brad's crews on the summit |
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| On the way down |
Location: Avalanche Peak
Conditions: Intense fog, clearing to a fine day
Avalanche: Moderate on east and south east slopes, considerable on all others
Final day just packing up and walking out. Saw a Falcon on the way down. Shuttled back to the Lodge, got the Hino and had debrief in Spingfield
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