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Club Lake - Route 3

Thredbo and Kosciuszko

Route 3, or "The Elevator" is aptly named. Steep and intimidating, this is the most obvious line from Carruthers Peak.

Freeride Skiing Difficult

Distance
270 m
Ascent
0 m
Descent
124 m
Low Point
2 km
High Point
2.1 km
Gradient
39˚
Club Lake - Route 3 Map

"The Elevator" begins by dropping down the fall line from Carruthers Peak and through a narrow rocky entry into a rock lined chute. This steep run is the most obvious line to take from Carruthers Peak, and it's narrow line provides an excellent technical challenge for advanced skiers and boarders, with an easy and safe runout down to Club Lake. This is one of the chutes which is filled in earlier, needing far less snow that Route 4 to become skiable, with around 75 cm at Spencers Creek you should be good to go, and late in the season this line can commonly be skiable into November! The southerly aspect and relatively high altitude does do some damage however, as cornices can form on the skiers right as you come down from the peak, and in addition, icy conditions can and do often form. Scoping the run from a mellower run, like Route 5, is also a good option for those who are knew to the area, not only scoping your line, but any associated potential hazards, which change from year to year. In the early season, try to stick to the centre of this chute, there are sharks in the area when the base hasn't completely formed. Again, the best way back up to Carruthers Peak, is to head up the gentler western side of the lake then following the ridge line around, above the other routes, to the peak once again.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between June and November

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