ABOUT US

Alpine Access Australia was formed by David & Pieta Herring in response to the fast-growing interest in backcountry touring in the Australian Snowy Mountains, and the demand for avalanche skills education from Australian skiers and boarders. Between us, our team has many years of avalanche education & backcountry touring experience in Australia, Japan, Europe and North America, and we’re keen to keep sharing our skills and knowledge with others.

Dave Herring – AST1 Instructor & Guide

Canadian Avalanche Association Operations Level1
Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Practitioner
Wilderness First Aid

I have been touring the Main Range summer and winter for decades.  I grew up on the northern boundaries of the Kosciuszko National Park and still ski over 100 days a year. Adventure travel and skiing have always been a large part of my life, including sailing across the Atlantic, driving a Kombi through Africa, and skiing in many locations in North America and Japan.  Since 2012 I have been guiding backcountry tours in Australia and Japan. Avalanche awareness and backcountry safety are an integral part of guiding and it was an obvious progression for me to train with Avalanche Canada as an instructor.

Pieta Herring – AST1 Instructor, Guide & Admin

CAA/JAN Operations Level 1
Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Practitioner
Wilderness First Aid
​Cert IV Training & Assessment

Growing up in Canberra and a member of Canberra Alpine Club, I skied from an early age. After ski racing for a few years, I travelled to many North American resorts in search of bigger mountains and the ski workers lifestyle. After meeting Dave, I discovered the world of backcountry ski touring – a pursuit which ticks all the boxes of fitness, skiing, & getting immersed in the beauty, peace & fresh tracks of the mountain backcountry environment.

Chris Zinon – Guide

Multi-Pitch Guide – Australian Climbing Instructors Association
AST2
Wilderness First Aid

Over the last twenty years I have been extremely lucky to explore the world, working and pursuing my passion for outdoor adventure, specifically climbing, snowboarding, mountaineering and surfing.
These activities have taken me to some of the more remote corners of the globe, providing natural rewards that are truly unforgettable, and are the reasons why I love to share these incredible experiences with others.
I have worked in the outdoor industry for 15 years and hold qualifications from the Australian Climbers Instructors Association and British Mountaineering Council as well as Wilderness First Aid certificates.

Taylor Rogers – Guide/Assistant AST1 Instructor

CAA Operations Level 1
ASPA Emergency Care
ASPA National Ski Patrol Certification
Remote & Wilderness First Aid
MSC Field Observer

Backcountry skiing evokes all the best things: pure stoke for a big line, satisfaction from a tough ascent, mental clarity from a long sunny-day skin and a special connection to alpine landscapes. A patroller and a guide, Tay values safety and responsible decision making and believes the more we learn and know about the environments we are in, the safer we can play. Tay loves facilitating learning and sharing knowledge whilst promoting respect and inclusivity among the backcountry community.

Simon Murray – Guide

CAA Avalanche Operations 1

Simon’s been a frontline advocate for the advancement of public backcountry safety in Australia since 2015. Having learnt the hard way, Simon is passionate about blending his professional science and behavioural change communication experience with on snow education. Simon comes from a climbing and ski mountaineering background and enjoys the uphill as much, if not more, than the down.

Ben Ey – Guide

CAA/JAN Avalanche Operations 1
Wilderness First Aid

I grew up surfing South Australia’s desert coastline, a world away from the snow-capped volcanoes and powder-filled forests that have been my winter home in Japan for the past decade. My first steps toward mountain life were in nordic boots on a school trip at Falls Creek, but my journey really began after I rediscovered backcountry skiing – and vastly improved alpine touring technology – on the NSW Main Range many years later. I’ve been living, traveling and skiing between the mountains in Hokkaido, Niigata and Australia since 2012, with a few detours through Canada and South America. As a guide, I’ve been lucky to share many amazing experiences with clients and friends, and the chance to help others gain the skills to discover their own adventures in the winter mountains is an aspect of this work that I’m very excited about. I’m currently based in Jindabyne, where I enjoy surfing on the south coast and exploring Kosciusko National Park in all seasons.

Luka Szczepanik – AST1 Instructor & Guide Canadian Avalanche Association Operations Level1 Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Practitioner Wilderness First Aid ASPA I have been a keen snowboard enthusiast for many years now and growing up in Europe I have had access to some great terrain. I discovered backcountry in Japan years ago and haven’t looked back, always aiming to build my backcountry skills and meet new people who share the same passion. In the last few years I decided to turn my passion for snowboarding into a part time career and ventured across the globe to Japan and Canada to obtain my professional avalanche training. I have been touring Main Range NSW and the Victorian mountains for many years now.

Tyson Millar

Tyson Millar is the driving force behind Snowstack, an online publication hosted on the Substack platform. With over 25 years devoted to unravelling the mysteries of Australian snow weather, he’s earned his stripes as a seasoned expert. With decades of moderation and contributions to leading forums, Tyson has established a significant influence in the Southern Hemisphere’s ski community. Currently immersed in Antarctic Marine and Climate Studies at the University of Tasmania, he also manages a busy Bondi gallery for renowned artist; Aquabumps. When not absorbed in his scholarly pursuits or crafting engaging stories for Snowstack, Tyson can be found in the backcountry of Kosciuszko National Park or surfing the East Coast. His life is a blend of academic rigor and the exhilarating freedom of the outdoors.”
Image: Jam Hassan