Chasing Australia’s Biggest White Waves, A Photo Journal Of The Western Faces

September 10th, 2020
Sam from Norfolk Wild takes some wise ice-axe-on-pack placement advice from a certified mountain goat.

 

Mountainwatch| Photo Journal

Words by Alex Horvath | Photos by Guy Williment

The remote Western Faces of Kosciuszko National Park have been getting mountains of attention recently as more and more people venture out into the backcountry.  Never has that been more apparent than in 2020.  It had been a few years since I’d been out there, so when the crew from Norfolk Wild and a few other mates hatched a plan alongside surf photographer Guy Williment to venture out back, I was frothing to show off Australia’s best skiable terrain. 

 

Mt Twynam shows off its misty moods as the morning light crests the main range.

Photographer Guy and his brother Zander Williment charge in the surf up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, while the crew from Norfolk Wildspend all summer long chasing big trout in the high country’s rivers, but none of them had yet had the chance to stare in awe at Australia’s steepest terrain.

As we crested Mt Twynam, there was a crew about to drop up on Carruthers Peak, while another scaled The Sentinel, it was almost like we’d arrived on the set of a ski movie – minus the helicopters. Judging by these photos it’s safe to say that the Western Faces put on a show for their newest fans.

 

As you crest the summit of Mt Twynam the Tennison Bowl reveals itself with Mt Jagungal sitting just to looker’s right.

 

With lower Carruthers ridge in the foreground, the absolute expanse of the Western Faces reveals itself in the distance.

 

A lone skier straddles The Sentinel ridgeline.  How’s the scale?

 

Unknown snowboarders drop in to Carruthers Chutes.

 

After dropping into Tennison Bowl it was a long climb back out of Watson’s creek. Totally worth it.

 

The sweet spot, when the long climb back out doesn’t even enter your consciousness

 

Ella Lochhead drops into the steep faces off Tenison Woods Knoll.

 

The scale of the terrain can make you feel small

 

The Western Faces offer a true big mountain experience

Check out more of Guy’s photography at Guy Williment Photo