Simon Murray is one of those quiet legends of the backcountry community. You may not know his face, but if you do get out of resort in winter, you will know his work.

He was the brains behind the creation of Mountain Sports Collective, MSC (now the Mountain Safety Collective) which produces the daily backcountry conditions report. He produces the amazing maps sold via MSC, and initiated the ‘Slay Academy’ – training sessions in the high country. He is ridiculously talented at design, and came up with the ‘Barry’ image used for the Victorian backcountry festival and, back in the day, produced a great climbing guide for the Buffalo plateau (‘the Definitive guide to the granite paradise of Mount Buffalo).

Apart from organising the tour program for the 2022 Victorian backcountry festival, and getting some epic backcountry trips in, Simon has recently released the Victorian Backcountry Companion, which features an incredible range of tours, from beginner to expert.

20220821_103000The Companion (available here) features regular new tours, across the Alps, from Baw Baw Plateau to Mt Bogong. More tours are uploaded on a regular basis. They include half day to multi day trips.

As it says in the introduction to the Companion:

The Companion provides information about backcountry touring areas for skiers, split-boarders, telemark skiers and will also be of use to snowshoers.

We are passionate about the Victorian backcountry. The goal of this Companion is to share some ideas on where, when and how to enjoy the very best of what the Alpine National Park has on offer in the winter season. The Companion is here to progress all levels of participation in the backcountry from first earned turners to the well seasoned shredders. We hold firm to the belief that sharing knowledge helps everyone make better decisions out there. Enjoy and we hope we see you out there.

 

This project was supported by YHA / Howmans Gap, State Government of Victoria and Outdoors Victoria