Local Courses
Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course
The short local Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course prepares ski or splitboard tourers or mountaineers and trampers for carrying out travel over glaciers. It covers all the alpine skills required for spring or summer mountain missions. A customised refresher is available for those who have covered these skills previously prior to embarking on a season’s adventuring.
New Zealand’s high glaciers also provide inspiring destinations for ambitious ski or splitboard tourers. These environments pose a number of hazards and all members of a team should be able to identify the risk factors and have the skills move safety around the terrain and be familiar with emergency self and companion crevasse rescue techniques.
New Zealand’s high glaciers also provide inspiring destinations for ambitious ski or splitboard tourers. These environments pose a number of hazards and all members of a team should be able to identify the risk factors and have the skills move safety around the terrain and be familiar with emergency self and companion crevasse rescue techniques.
On the first day we utilise the local Wanaka to cover the roping and rescue skills.
This is the ideal venue to focus on these skills.
In winter, the 2nd day is spent on the snow covering snow anchors and putting it all into practice.
This is usually Cardrona but courses can also be arranged at Treble Cone or The Remarkables.
Syllabus
Topics include:
- Glacier travel ropework including knots and hitches
- Equipment considerations for glacier travel
- Roping up for glacier travel
- Glacier geography
- Hazard identification and navigating glaciers
- Snow anchors including skis/boards or snow stakes
- Abseiling and crevasse self-rescue
- Companion crevasse rescue including pulley systems and progress capture options
Course Options
We offer a number of options The course duration depends on the number of participants:
For small groups (<2 people) we run a single field day usually accessed through Cardrona Ski Field. In summer, single-day refresher courses can be offered on roping and rescue skills based at the Wānaka crags.
For larger groups (3-4 people), we run a 1.5 day course including a practical field day preceded by a 3-hour evening session. This evening session demonstrates the theory of glacier travel, snow anchors and tools for crevasse rescue.
For larger groups (5+ people), we run a 2 day course using local crags and backcountry venues.
Winter field days can be accessed on foot or using ski or splitboard touring equipment. Please state your mode of transport when registering.
Visit our Downloads page for course resources. Also there is our Knowledge Base for useful articles and resources to prepare for this course.
Further advice on ski and splitboard touring equipment can be found in our Knowledge Base.
Ski touring equipment is available for hire from MT Outdoors.
Splitboard hire can be arranged though Wanaka Splitboard Rentals. Get in touch with us for your requirements.
Ski or Splitboard Touring Experience
For touring accessed courses, participants must have previous ski or split-board touring experience and equipment.
Technical Skills
Participants should be familiar with basic knots and hitches such as Clove hitch, Italian (Munter) hitch, and Figure-8.
Availability
Can’t make these dates? Get in touch to arrange alternative group dates or private courses.
Pricing
Inclusions & Exclusions
Includes: GST, NZMGA certified guide, avalanche safety gear, and technical equipment, transport from Wānaka is provided for small groups.
Excludes lunch and snacks, ski or splitboard touring equipment hire
‘[Our guide] was really knowledgeable but also very realistic and sensible regarding what we needed to know and focusing on the common and more simple things. He was very patient with us when at times we got a bit muddled! He was a fantastic instructor.’
— — Biz, Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course
