Federation Peak Alpine Traverse
Ben Armstrong traverses a hanging snowfield on the approach to the Incision Couloir on Federation Peak, Tasmania. Thick layers of rime ice cling to the south face after several days of heavy snowfalls and Tasmania’s lowest recorded temperature. Our absurd goal to notch a first descent off Australia’s most dramatic mountain took years of planning, a two day approach heaving massive packs and wrangling skis through tangled jungles and four days tent bound in the storm. On the sixth day of the expedition a high pressure moved over and the storm broke. Our ski descent was at the end of a delicate traverse under the sharp summit cliffs which involved roped climbing and several abseils. Here Ben is seen on the final obstacle of that traverse, the notch above his head the top of the ski line. The conditions were sublime. Snow caked the valleys below and the atmosphere was dead still and quiet. The only sounds was the occasional crash of icefalls breaking off the cliffs in the morning sun. What we saw reshaped our perspective on what adventure was possible in our own backyard. When I see this photo now I still have to pinch myself to have had this experience.
Shaun Mittwollen
