I grew up in the mountains. In so much as they formed the person I became. In my development I unwittingly garnered a peer group and mentors that shared my enthusiasm and helped nurture my understanding. This started in rock climbing at Mount Arapiles, then developed into alpinism via big wall experiences at Mt Buffalo. As my appetite and aperture of what I believed was personally achievable grew outwards skiing became an inevitable complimentary skill for safe travel in the greater ranges of the world. In skiing I was immersed in experiences that called on all the mountain whit I could muster. And that, it has to be said was hugely advanced by ‘the shoulders on which I stood’. My mentors, friends and ‘party'ners all shared insights and perspectives on how to get the best experience from any given excursion in the mountains. This open transfer of knowledge is the foundation of how we grow in the mountains, and how we create community.
Back in the day huh? 1998 with koflach ice climbing boots in fritschi bindings on 88mm straight sticks. Probably with pattern base… thems was not the daze! Mt Feathertop? Photo: Anton Bartlett
This journey into the mountains both physical and philosophically is never ending. When it became obvious that the growth of participation in mountain sports was at such a trajectory that mentorship and knowledge transferral was broken I was personally disheartened. Apparent in many of the critical incidents in the mountains was an chain of decisions that seemed very poorly informed, and decisions that in some cases led to tragedy. Tragedy for the parties involved, trauma for the people around them and a deep sense of loss within the mountains sport community.
I called on the sphere of mentors to collaborate in enhancing the sharing of communication. This time, not in huts, surrounded by dripping stinky socks, ski, ropes and stoves, but on the internet. And this venture was distilled into the ‘Mountain Sports Collective’. You guys joined up, we shared info on conditions, locations, hazards and collectively had a whole lot of fun it must be said. Simultaneously we saw that the critical incidents that occurred where outside our influence and beyond our reach. Sure, things go wrong… but collectively the community at large had better, more sophisticated responses. Better decisions and a safer community.
A bit more dialled in here in the late ‘00’s with tech bindings, Atomic Kailas skis on the ascent to Tasman Saddle from the Tasman Glacier. I’m probably saying ‘F@*$K I’m knackered Brownie!”. Photo: Mark Brown
This sophistication was the element that we needed. As president of the MSC I’ve been called in to government agencies who have been keen to explore the degree of sophistication we had developed. Government was wondering how it worked, who was responsible and how or if they need be of assistance. In Victoria, the police, the ski resorts, the national parks management and various other associated agencies all had a look. What emerged was a concern over the lack of regulation and qualification to conduct ‘knowledge sharing’ which in their world constituted ‘safety advice’. Such ‘safety advice’ is squarely 'The work of government' in the form of umbrella agencies: Emergency Management departments. At the apex of the consultation, particularly around avalanche, the bureaucracy deemed this community (our community) of being too small to require dedicated resource or funding (2018). Feels like a bum steer, however in 2021we have gained an altitude of sophistication that needs to be recognised.
In 2020 we changed our name to Mountain Safety Collective. This is who we are in the eyes of participants, our funding apparatus and to an onlooker. The word ‘safety’ is primary to understanding what we do. And this step is not blinkered to the global perspective of what assuming such a title entails. As a 'sports collective’ we had the best intentions. As a ‘safety collective’ we fulfil a remit that spans the gamut of hazards apparent on the ranges in the snow season, which is no small task. The development of our ‘day rating’ scheme which now has the ear of other similar services abroad is a testament to all observers and communicators within the program. As a band of alpine safety professionals, patrollers, avalanche and mountain safety educators, and operations level 1, 2 and 3 avalanche professionals, we now fulfil the sophisticated requirements to stand up and assume this title. I’m proud to have delivered world class professionalism to our tiny stage and in doing so make way for the kind of perspective, sophistication and professionalism that the president role requires. Forecaster Craig Sheppard (CAA Lvl3) brings such a depth of understanding and opportunity for professional development to our shores that it makes me giddy with excitement. There’s still so much to learn, and this is the great leap forward we need.
Off doing obs with Luka ‘Panik on Sept 26 2020 after this avalanche cycle. Photo : Cam Walker
Australian Backcountry community is levelling up to a standard beyond the previous bureaucratic misgivings thrust down on us in back then in Victoria. We are stoked on our partnerships with Parks Victoria and Outdoor Victoria and hope soon NSW will join us on the metaphorical skin trail. MSC is now on par with any equivalent scale of service on the planet. So congratulations mountain sport community, we all did this… all 680 current, founding and or lapsed members. It has been an amazing ride. Do your bit and help spread the word, that’s fundamental to community spirit. And don’t forget to member up.
A huge thank you to all who’ve participated, Thank you for your time, see you out there and hope we all get some steep&deep in 2021! Simon Murray.