Written by Mont Ambassador Geoff Murray  In March this year I boarded a plane in Hong Kong. The temperature was a balmy 23°C. Four and a half hours later I stepped off that plane into -14°C at Chinggis Khan Airport near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. March in Mongolia is late winter and my destination was a lake in northern Mongolia called Lake Khovsgol. This lake stretches north 135kms from the village of Khatgal to within 25kms of the Russian border. In the savage Mongolian winter, where temperatures can drop below -50°C, the surface of the whole lake freezes to a depth of approximately 1.1 met ..read more

Earth Day isn't just a day; it is a global movement that reminds us all of our responsibility to take action and preserve the environment for future generations. At Mont, we are passionate about both adventure and sustainability and celebrating Earth Day each year is a great reminder of these values. What is Earth Day? Understanding the Significance Earth Day, celebrated annually on the 22nd of April, is a time to reflect on the state of our planet and take action to protect it. First established in 1970, Earth Day has since grown into a global movement involving millions of people in over 190 ..read more

Overview of the Annapurna Base Camp trek The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of Nepal’s most spectacular high altitude hiking routes, offering breathtaking views of the Annapurna ranges and surrounds as you trek through the Annapurna Sanctuary National Park. The trek offers a cheaper and more relaxed alternative to the often highly trafficked route to Everest Base Camp. Along the way, you’ll trek through diverse environments starting off in beautiful and lush forests, trekking through expansive rice paddies and sunny fields, stopping in at local teahouses to meet the locals and immerse yoursel ..read more

Written by Cait Horan Early morning, the sun is just starting to rise over the lush valley below. I am approaching Lurking Fear on the west face of El Capitan. A mixture of anxiety and exhilaration was coursed through my veins. As I gazed up at the imposing granite wall, my heart raced with a unique blend of anticipation and trepidation. The months of preparation, from studying the route meticulously to fine-tuning my gear and honing my cli mbing skills, flashed through my mind. I couldn't help but reflect on the dedication, persistence, and sheer passion that had led me to this moment. With e ..read more

Written by Mont Ambassador Geoff Murray Some years ago I heard about a lake called Lake Baikal in Siberia that froze during the very cold Siberian winter to a depth of around 1.8 metres. A few people had walked/cycled on Lake Baikal and it looked like a great adventure so I started to plan a visit. Then Covid happened, followed by Putin and Ukraine. For an Australian to venture into Russia in the current political climate seemed less than wise so I thought the adventure was prematurely finished. Then, a few months ago I heard about Lake Baikal’s “little sister”, Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongo ..read more

  An undeniably ugly, but unfortunately pretty normal part of a long hike is the possibility of forming blisters on your feet. We’ve all been caught out before; whether it’s a new pair of hiking boots that your feet aren’t quite accustomed to just yet, a new and unfamiliar trail or purely because of the sheer number of kilometres you’re covering — there are several reasons why blisters are common on hikes. How do blisters form while hiking? The main culprits to blame for forming nasty blisters during a hike are friction and pressure. While you’re walking, the consistent movement between y ..read more

Gravity Jindabyne will be holding a gravel bike demo day in the new year hosted by Snowy Mountains Backcountry at the Guthega Mountain Centre on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd of January. Join them onsite at BASECAMP Cafe for breakfast, lunch & a ride on a beautifully built all-road bike courtesy of Gravity Jindabyne! Tasty tucker, great coffee, cold brews & alpine views. Bridging the gap between technical trail riding & smooth asphalt gravel biking gives access to off road trails including dirt roads, muddy trails & gravel tracks. Curve all road bikes have been designed fo ..read more

10 random tips for preparing and sending your first big-wall. Written by Daygin Prescott Having just had our first pilgrimage to Yosemite, I wanted to share some insights with other aspiring ‘wallers’. Last year I had the dream of climbing The Nose of El Capitan. It seemed incredibly far fetched but I knew with enough preparation, I should at least have a go someday! Prior to the trip over I rope-soloed Ozymandias on Mt Buffalo, practiced systems on The Stainless Anticlimb, Mt Beerwah and Big-Walled The Governor, Mount Barney. Myself and James, had pretty much exhausted all options for ‘gettin ..read more

Written by Geoff Murray Tasmania has several alpine plateau areas and although not really high altitude per se, they are always a pleasure to visit. A couple of days ago I packed my gear and headed for a nearby plateau in perfect weather. The walk in was through a pleasant succession of ridges, boulderfields and mountains until I reached a suitable campsite at around 1350 metres.   On the way I passed some spectacular blooms of the endemic alpine plant Richea Scoparia. The forecast was for the wind to pick up towards evening but the weather gods obviously missed seeing it. Just afte ..read more

Written by Oliver M. Medd After three years of wetter and cooler conditions for eastern Australia, conditions have shifted with above-average temperatures likely for the remainder of spring. The snow season has come to an early finish, which means it is time for summer activities in the Australian Alps – think hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping. The BOM recently declared that this summer will see both El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions, meaning we might be in for the hottest, driest weather on record for the Snowies. While a warmer and drier spring and su ..read more