Alpine Access Australia started as a guiding company and now provides a range of snow safety programs and avalanche training. Many in the backcountry will know Dave and Pieta Herring and instructor Luka Panik. AAA operate both in the Snowy Mountains and a growing number of mountain areas in Victoria.

AAA are the avalanche safety course providers at this year’s VIC backcountry festival (September 8 and 9) and will be offering courses in the Hotham area before, during and after the festival.

Alpine Access has evolved from a lifetime of experiences in the Australian Alps. Originally a backcountry guiding company, Alpine Access is now also a provider for Avalanche Canada in Australia offering their AST (avalanche skills training) curriculum in NSW and Victoria.

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Dave doing snow profiles, Eagle Ridge, Mt Hotham.

Recognising the demand from those wanting to get started in the backcountry has led Dave and Pieta Herring, the owner-operators of Alpine Access, to focus on providing an information platform sharing skills and knowledge about equipment, touring, trip planning, safe travel techniques and snowcraft skills.

With Canadian Avalanche Association qualifications, Alpine Access instructors Dave Herring and Luka Panik are accredited to teach AST1. Both Dave and Luka are also trained in Wilderness First Aid. Luka, originally from Poland but now based in the Victorian mountains, represents Alpine Access in Victoria and teaches AST1 and takes guided backcountry tours.

The AST1 course provides a starting point in avalanche skills training, incorporating information gathering, snow science, route selection, identification of avalanche terrain and companion rescue. It is a fun, stimulating and challenging two-day course that is just as relevant for those touring in Australia as overseas.

IMAG5084Alpine Access has put a wide variety of people through the AST1 course, from Ski Patrol, SES, Police Rescue, pro-skiers and avalanche survivors to just those with a love of all things mountain and snow. They also continue to provide backcountry guiding and introductory backcountry tours in Australia and Japan and are local ambassadors for Arc’teryx and Salomon.

You can find out more, and book for their courses via their website.

AAA on instagram.

 

 

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