Introduction What do you get when you sign up with an accomplished mountaineer? And the first Australian and Commonwealth citizen to have climbed all 14 x 8000ers – without oxygen? Well, with Andrew Lock, you get the full gambit. There is nothing that this guy doesn’t know. We would trust him with our lives if […]
Snowshoeing
Tromso, Norway: Above the Arctic Circle
Tromso, being above the Arctic Circle, is often referred to as ‘Paris of the North’ due to its lively atmosphere. Tromso is the world’s most northern university town and the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle. The city lies between the sharp craggy peaks of the Lyngen Alps and combines […]
Pyrenees: Winter Expedition Skills Course
Introduction Undertaking a winter expedition skills course in the Pyrenees can throw up the odd surprise. This one proved no exception. From climbing, snowshoeing, abseiling, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, avalanche assessment and response, self arrest, knots, rope work, mountain hut life and jumaring to digging a snow hole. Except for a summit of the highest […]
Australia: Snow Climbing on Mt Kosciuszko
Introduction In preparation for our climb of Mera Peak (6,476m/21,247ft) in the Himalayas, we decided to undertake a snow climbing course on Mt Kosciuszko. Mt Kosciuszko is the highest point in Australia at 2,228m/7,310ft. Mt Kosciuszko Officially, Mt Kosciuszko is the traditional ‘Seventh / 7th Summit’. Whilst lower than Puncak Jaya/Carstenz Pyramid in West Papua, […]
Japan: A country never lost in translation
Flying from Australia to Tokyo, Japan is an easy destination to get to. Flying directly into Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport enabled a very quick 40 minute ride into Tokyo city direct to our hotel using the Skybus. Haneda International Airport is newer and preferable compared with Narita. It’s closer to Tokyo city and more streamlined. […]