Aussie Winter Wonderland: Ice-Climbing & Mountaineering

Did you know Australia has its own winter wonderland?

Mt Feathertop Australia

The Great Dividing Range is Australia’s largest mountain range and the third longest land-based range in the world. Stretching 3500km, it spans the length of the whole east coast of Australia.

(Borrowed from the Australian Geographic):

THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS HAVE a unique beauty. Where the peaks of Europe, New Zealand and the USA soar in sky-piercing crests, these mountains are softer, rounded. Unlike those in classic alpine regions, they weren’t formed by clashing tectonic plates. Geologists still debate their origins, but a leading theory is that some 40–20 million years ago, in the most recent phase of uplift, the Earth’s mantle swelled – like a rubber mat pushed from both ends – to raise long, rounded ridges. The resulting Victorian Alps and Snowy Mountains of NSW are the only parts of mainland Australia high enough for consistent winter snow cover.

Their apparent softness is deceptive though. The wind chill goes well below zero degrees, and the snow-fall is real.

If you are looking to add any mountaineering / alpine skills - think crampons, ice axe, rope-work, avalanche rescue; reach out to AMSGuides (Australian Mountaineering School).

You can also google for local events around Kosciusko and Blue Lake where I went ice climbing. Pristine conditions!

This year I will be checking out Tasmania's Ben Lomond (and will report back in September).

Here's a few more pics from our Blue Lake Ice-climbing trip with the Aussie climbing legend, Allie Pepper.