Stanleys and Twin Valleys

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Back Country Awareness Please read the following articles bfore considering going back country and research widely. Do not use information provided here as textbook accuracy as anyone can edit it. Double check anything found here and consult with experts before heading beyond the resort boundaries. People die in the back country every year, don't add your name to the list.

• Backcountry Checklist, clothing equipment etc
• Backcountry Saftey and planing

Overview Stanleys and Twin Valleys are on the eastern fall of the Ramshead range between the skitube at Bullocks Flat and Thredbo. Beyond these two well known localities, much of this aspect of the Ramsheads above the tree line provides a variety of skiing possibilities for a variety of skill levels. Google Maps of location

Contents 1 Twin Valleys 1.1 Access and Trip 1.2 Routes 1.2.1 Twin Valleys 1.2.2 George Chisloms Run 1.2.3 GPS References 1.3 Considerations 1.3.1 Mobile Phone Coverage 1.3.2 Maps 2 Stanleys 2.1 Access and Trip 2.2 Routes 2.2.1 GPS References 2.3 Considerations 2.3.1 Mobile Phone Coverage 2.3.2 Maps

Twin Valleys

• Overview : These valleys NE of Thredbo below the Ramshead Range were once considered for resort development. The terrain is highly visable from the Alpine Way and accumulates and conserves snow very well. The skiable routes mainly venture to the tree line.

• Backcountry Run Rating
• RATING: Approach II
• PITCH:
• EXPOSURE: South
• ELEVATIONS: 1970+m - 1750m(+/-)
• VERTICAL: 250m DOC

Access and Trip

Possible daytrip destination from Thredbo or Charlotte Pass As a base camp, access can be made from either Thredbo, Charlotte Pass or Perisher Valley. Trapyard Creek offers some camping options. Return trips to Thredbo are against the prevailing winds and this can be particularly slow, especially at the end of a long day.

Routes

Twin Valleys

TV is a great area of bowls and gullies, and was the site of a serious proposition to set up a new ski resort in the late 1970's. We got Blue Cow instead. The area is big, with the feel in the higher intermediate - advanced side of things. The site holds a lot of snow, swinging around a fair bit of the compass.

George Chisloms Run

The Chisolm run was an early racetrack and follows a good ridgeline down off the peaks. Fun stuff. Gullies and bowls as far as the cover of the season allows. Some great tree skiing to be had in this area.

GPS References

Please Edit

Considerations

Exit via climbing back out from the tree line and returning via the high ground. The trafficability within the tree canopy is notoriously difficult and perilous. Avoid temptations to make for the river or the alpine way.

Mobile Phone Coverage

Should be good from the top section but as you drop down into the valleys you will most likely lose it.

Maps

• NSW ski association Thredbo Ski touring map
• Mt Kosciuszko 1:50000 (old series)
• Perisher Valley 1:25000 (third series)

Stanleys

• Overview : Stanleys can be seen just off to the right from the the Cruiser Chair at Thredbo it is a steep gorge that drops rapidly from above the tree line into the Thredbo River at the bottom.
• Backcountry Run Rating
• RATING: Access I, Steepness S3+ to S4
• PITCH:
• EXPOSURE: South
• ELEVATIONS: 1970+m - 1750m(+/-)
• VERTICAL: 250m DOC

Access and Trip

Easily accessed from the top of the Cruiser Chair at Thredbo. It is out of bounds and not part of the resort. The easiest return is to turn skiers right just before you hit the trees and traverse back around to Merrits otherwise you are in for a big hike. Exit via climbing back out from the tree line and returning via the high ground. The trafficability within the tree canopy is notoriously difficult and perilous. Avoid temptations to make for the river or the Alpine Way.

Routes

There are several lines down Stanleys and while most start gentle there is really no non advanced terrain here.

GPS References

PLEASE EDIT

Considerations

• Be wary, the area has been known to avalanche and it is not in a patrol area.
• If you do decide to continue down through the trees, be aware of the increasingly thick regrowth vegetation (will continue to get thicker for the next ten? years post fire), slow downward progress (less than a km per hour) carrying skis and having to wade a possible flooded Thredbo River.
• GPS might not work due to thick regrowth covering the sky (especially when wet) above you.
• It takes longer to hike out than you first think. Once down in the trees the hike back to the road is quite a long way, don't underestimate it. You will also have to cross the Thredbo River at the bottom. Alternatively pull out early and head back to Merritts.

Mobile Phone Coverage

Should be good from the top section but as you drop down into the gorge you will most likely lose it.

Maps

• NSW ski association Thredbo Ski touring map
• Mt Kosciuszko 1:50000 (old series)
• Perisher Valley 1:25000 (third series)