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A Backcountry Ski Trip Report: Newcastle University Mountaineering Club

September 08, 2022 1 Comment

A Backcountry Ski Trip Report: Newcastle University Mountaineering Club

Written By Rebecca Gibson – NUMC Ski Trip Leader

With the uni break upon us, the University of Newcastle Mountaineering Club was ready to hit the slopes and head out for our annual snow pilgrimage, aka intermediate back country skiing trip. This year’s crew was made up of emerging trip leaders chasing that backcountry bliss, and a couple of competent resort skiers yet to experience the quirks and charms of skiing the backcountry.

Left image: Phoebe, Rebecca, & Taylor traversing the Rolling Grounds under beautiful blue skies.
Right image: Cam & Freya’s home away from home

After a somewhat harrowing (read very wet and cold) climb last year, many of us were relieved to have the weather in our favour this time around, as the sun gods blessed us with a beautiful bluebird day for our traverse up Guthega Trig and across the Rolling Grounds. Just as sunset bloomed across the horizon, we dropped down into the valley above Whites River hut. Our home away from home for the trip, our trusty Mont Dragonflys, still fighting fit after being put through their paces under a whopping dump of snow on last year’s trip.

We spent the next few days of beautiful weather skiing the faces around the hut, and venturing further afield to explore the vicinities of Dicky Cooper Bogong and Schlink hut.

Our final day saw us head back down the road to Guthega Power Station, with everyone sad to be leaving but keen to enjoy the relative ratio of downhill to uphill compared to previous days!

Left image: Ezzie, David, Rebecca, Saxon & Phoebe getting a taste of that backcountry bliss.

Right image: Back: Rebecca, Saxon, Freya, Ezzie, & Phoebe
Front: David, Cameron, & Taylor

Overall, a fantastic time was had by all (with a notable mention going to the fantastic new fireplace at Whites River hut) with everyone keen to go again next year, as soon as we’ve forgotten how exhausting it is!


1 Response

Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith

September 13, 2022

I have done my fair share of Alpine Touring in Canada and New Zealand but I have also been cross country skiing for many more years. Can I suggest that for trips across the Rolling Grounds, Whites River, Schlink Pass etc it would be much more enjoyable and practical on cross country skis. I would encourage anyone to go out and do it, no matter what, I have done many epic trips myself, but across the Rolling Grounds on Alpine touring skis and split boards, your kidding.

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