Snow Skills 2024 - cancelled

Nelson Lakes National Park

Grade: Medium

Event Status: Cancelled

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From Saturday 31 August 2024
To Sunday 01 September 2024

Cost: $25

Description

Snow Skills training at Robert Ridge again.

Due to poor weather, the Snow skills training is cancelled. 

Assemble at Mt Robert car park at 0830. Welcome talk, objectives, and introduction of instructors and other participants.  Sort into groups; about four to six trainees per instructor. A mix of skill levels in each group is good. Hand out gear to those who require it; pay/collect hire charges. Examine ice axes and crampons (attached to boots before we depart) and make any necessary adjustments.

Walk into Robert Lodge early Saturday morning via Pinchgut. Practice snow skills on the way to the Lodge in the second basin on Robert ridge.

The object of the snow skills training is to;

• Hone existing snow skills or develop them if you are new to snow travel using gear.
• Snow travel using no equipment, then using walking poles, crampons only, crampons and ice axe and crampons and pole(s).
• Practice movement on different types and gradients of snow slopes using different techniques.
• Gain confidence in what is comfortably doable, and avoiding what is not.
• Practice self-arresting technique in varying conditions.
• Rapid descending in various conditions, including glissading techniques.
• Basic Avalanche assessment and avoidance.
• Possibly build an igloo or snow cave if there is enough snow.
• Have FUN.

Robert Lodge is the old Ski club Lodge built in the 1930’s. It’s full of history of the area but has been modernized. The hut sleeps 30, with bunks, mattresses and pillows (bring a pillow case) in two dormitories. The living room and kitchen has wood stove heating, gas cooker with pots and pans & cutlery & crockery provided in the lodge, but no showers. Solar power is installed but bring your head torch. Toilets are flushed by bucket. Bring your own toilet paper. Self-catered, but some may wish to pool their food for a Saturday evening communal dinner. The fee for Robert Lodge is $25/night (school aged $10/night), additional to the transport charge. Pay to Debbie.

View the Mt Robert foundation website: https://www.mtrobert.org.nz/

On Sunday we will continue our practice in the basin or walk along the ridge to Flagtop or onto the Julius Summit area. Return to the hut for lunch and a Lodge clean up.  

Sunday afternoon we will have a short theory session:

• Route planning; weather and avalanche forecasts, huts/camp sites, escape routes, which end to start the trip, river crossing, clothing and gear (including ice axe and crampons type).
• Keeping dry.
• Watching out for each other. Especially anyone who might be operating beyond their comfort level, or maybe suffering from fatigue, hunger, dehydration, illness, injury, cold, overheating, low morale, or who may be unsuitably garbed.
• Snow shelters, tents/tarps etc, seeking shelter.
• Hypothermia, cold injuries, sunburn, snow blindness.

Then it’s back up the hill to the ridge again and back to the cars the same way we came (or via Paddy’s track).

https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/six-takeaways-from-a-snowcraft-course-with-kids/?ml_sub=2532254367151559912&ml_sub_hash=p7r5&utm_source=Newsletter%20-%20MailerLite&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=six_takeaways_from_a_snowcraft_course_with_kids&utm_term=2024-07-30

See also the snow skills training video on this website: https://live.nelsontrampingclub.org.nz/trip-info/outdoor-skill-toolboxes/snow-skills-videos

Registration