Australian Alpine Academy + Kosciuszko Climb

The Australian Alpine Academy + Kosciuszko Climb expedition was the ideal course and location to learn the basics of alpine mountaineering. The course enabled mountaineering beginners to learn a range of skills and techniques in the snow, from snowshoeing and establishing base camp to ice climbing and ice axe arrest, all in the relatively low-risk yet incredibly diverse alpine environment of Kosciuszko National Park. I have hiked Mount Kosciuszko numerous times in the warmer months of the year when there is no snow cover, however the addition of the winter Kosciuszko summit on this course is such an incredible opportunity that almost no other operators are offering and it is definitely a highlight of the course. It is properly challenging yet a very rewarding achievement that provides you with a whole new perspective of how stunningly rugged and wild Kosciuszko and the Main Range can be, particularly compared to the leisurely conditions of the warmer months. The quality of training was very high, and the guides' passion and enthusiasm for mountaineering, for safety and for building team camaraderie added so much beyond just the physical aspects of the trip. Even when the conditions were terrible, the guides spun it into a positive for the group in that we had the opportunity to experience such a diverse range of possible scenarios in the mountains and learn how to cope in each of them. I couldn't have been more impressed with the caliber of guides on this trip. Overall the trip has well and truly exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it for anyone wishing to build their knowledge and familiarity of alpine mountaineering for bigger international mountain expeditions in the future, and to also gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the incredible landscape and conditions of the Kosciuszko National Pass.

I just finished the Australian Alpine Academy- Intro to Mountaineering course. What a brilliant experience it was! We had Rob as our guide who was very knowledgeable, organised and fun to be around. The other guides assisting were fantastic too. The course itself was comprehensive with a good mix of theory and practice. Our group experienced everything from blue skies to snow storms, so it a great training ground for future expeditions. Really impressed with CTSS and I hope to join them on a future trip. Thanks CTSS Team!

Robert was such an amazing guide and genuinely kind person, his passion for the mountains and helping people achieve their goals is incredibly inspiring to watch. He has taught me not only about how to climb mountains but also how to push people beyond what they thought was possible in a very positive environment.