Basic Snowcraft Course
Who is this course for?
The NZAC Basic Snowcraft course is designed for experienced trampers and those with a passion for the outdoors who are looking to gain additional skills to travel safely in alpine terrain where snow and ice is often encountered.
This is an alpine course suitable for experienced trampers. Please ensure you meet the minimum requirements.
At a minimum, those wishing to register for the Basic Snowcraft Course must:
- Have some experience in backcountry tramping
- Have the fitness required to enjoy multiple full days in the mountain environment
- Be enthusiastic to learn new skills in New Zealand's alpine environment
COURSE SYLLABUS
Preparing For The Alpine Environment
- Clothing/equipment
- Trip planning resources (avalanche forecast/weather forecasts/guidebooks)
- Weather
- Basic Navigation
Being And Moving In The Alpine Environment
- Use of ice axe (dagger, plunging, step cutting)
- Walking and kicking steps on snow without crampons (edging/step kicking)
- Walking on snow with crampons (flat, 50/50, front pointing)
- Identification of the safest route for travel in the alpine environment
- Avalanche Awareness
Changing Circumstances
- Self-belay and self-arrest technique with and without an ice axe
- Use of avalanche safety equipment including transceiver search
- Techniques for camping in snow and emergency shelters (snow shelters/bothy bag)
COURSE OUTCOMES*
Preparing For The Alpine Environment
- An ability to plan simple trips into the alpine environment
- the knowledge to pack and select appropriate equipment for a trip into the alpine environment
- An ability to interpret simple weather forecast and observations
- An ability to identify simple feature on a map and a basic ability to relocate using the map and terrain features
Being And Moving In The Alpine Environment
- An ability to use both an ice axe and mountaineering boots as an effective tool for traveling in the alpine environment
- The ability to fit crampons and travel effectively in the alpine environment using them
- An awareness of safe travel through the alpine environment with particular attention to avoiding avalanche terrain and the identification of other potential hazards
- A basic awareness of the avalanche phenomenon and why angle, aspect, altitude, slope shapes, trigger points and terrain traps are significant
Changing Circumstances
- An awareness of techniques to prevent slips and trips
- The ability to stop an unintentional slide in mild snow-covered terrain
- The ability to confidently perform a companion rescue in the event of an avalanche
- An awareness of snow shelters and how to camp in the snow
Someone who has these skills combined with the knowledge from a NZAC Avalanche Awareness Course is considered a NZAC Novice Mountaineer and is likely to have the skills and ability to travel on Aoraki Mount Cook Grade 1+ terrain (non-glacial).
*Course outcomes may vary depending on participant ability and course conditions. This is a guideline; individuals must assess their own ability after a course.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Duration: 2/3 days
Season: July-September
Location: Various mountainous locations across New Zealand
Course Tutors: NZAC Section Snowcraft Instructors
Ratio: 1:4
Cost: Set by Sections
Progression: NZAC Avalanche Awareness Course, NZAC Basic Navigation Course
GEAR LIST
| ITEM | SPECIFICATION | NUMBER |
| Boots | Warm, waterproof, stiff tramping boots (minimum 1/2 shank), or mountaineering boots. | 1 pair |
| Gaiters | Full length | 1 pair |
| Crampons | With anti balling plates (can possibly be provided by the Section if required). | 1 pair |
| Ice axe | Walking ice axe, non-technical, minimum 55cm (can possibly be provided by the Section if required) | 1 |
| Helmet | Approved for mountaineering (can possibly be provided by the Section if required) | 1 |
| Waterproof jacket | Gore-Tex or equivalent | 1 |
| Waterproof over trousers | Gore-Tex or equivalent | 1 pair |
| Down or fleece jacket | 1 | |
| Windproof jacket | Soft shell or wind stopper | 1 |
| Thermal socks | Warm | 3 pairs |
| Fleece | Lightweight | 1 |
| Thermal Top | Polypro or merino | 1 |
| Thermal leggings | Polypro or merino | 1 pair |
| Gloves | 1 x waterproof ski type gloves and 1 x thermal such as polypropylene or ice ninja | 2 pairs |
| Hat or balaclava | Warm | 1 |
| Sunhat | 1 | |
| Sunglasses or googles | AS/NZS cat 3-4 preferred | 1 pair |
| Sunscreen | 1 | |
| Personal medication and first aid kit | Instructor will have a group first aid kit. Bring personal items | 1 |
| Snacks | Energy food snacks | |
| Water bottle | Minimum 1.5L. NOT a bladder and tube system because these can freeze). | 1 |
| Pack | Large enough to fit all your gear in, with ice axe and gear loops, liner and bags to keep everything dry. | 1 |
| OPTIONAL | ||
| Thermos | For hot drink | 1 |
| Head Torch | 1 | |
| Notebook and pen | Small, can be waterproof | 1 |
| GEAR TO BRING FOR STAYING AT ACCOMMODATION | ||
| Sleeping bag and pillow | 1 | |
| Hut clothes | ||
| Toiletries & towel | ||
| Drink (alcohol permitted) | ||
| Food | 1 x evening meal, 2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch |
INSURANCE
We recommend you take out travel insurance and/or personal insurance as part of your preparation for participating on NZAC Instruction Courses.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND RISK DISCLOSURE
The Course Instructors will have Emergency Management Procedures in place and field communication devices to immediately contact rescue services in the case of an accident or emergency. It is encouraged to take your own personal locator beacon if you own one.
The natural environment and climbing activities can involve risks. While recognising that the course organisers and instructors are doing their best to manage these risks, and agreeing to accept their direction whenever required, you must accept personal responsibility for your own actions and safety. You must always also accept to follow the instructions of the Course Leader and other instructors.
All participants on the course are expected to be as honest and transparent as possible about their experience and fitness as part of their application. If a participant's lack of fitness/ability severely affects the running of the course the participant(s) may be asked to not participate for certain activities. Arrangements may be made to evacuate the participant(s) at their own cost. The instructor is the final arbiter in these decisions.