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Title / Guide clients on trips in glaciated terrain
Level / 6 / Credits / 10
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: select routes; demonstrate technical and rescue skills; practise risk management when guiding parties on trips in glaciated terrain; and evaluate the guiding trip.
Classification / Outdoor Recreation > Mountain Craft
Available grade / Achieved
Prerequisites / Unit 6489, Guide clients on trips in high alpine environments, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Guidance Information
1All activities must comply with accepted professional codes of practice and legislation guidelines.
2Seriously glaciated terrain is terrain with crevasses, seracs, icefalls, and moraine.
3Performance criterion 3.3 is to be assessed against in a guided skiing situation.
4All activities must comply with any relevant environmental, legislative and/or regulatory requirements set out in the New Zealand Environmental Care Code, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001, and their subsequent amendments. The New Zealand Environmental Care Code is available from the Department of Conservation, Head Office, POBox10420, Wellington,
5There are minimum assessor requirements for assessment against this unit standard. The details of these requirements are available on the Skills Active Aotearoa website
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Select route on guided trip in glaciated terrain.
Performance criteria
1.1Initial route selection matches client fitness, stamina, ability and objectives; party safety, comfortable travel, time and weather conditions.
1.2Weather evaluation and knowledge of glacier dynamics determine route selection decisions during trip.
1.3Interpretation of objective hazards determines route selection decisions.
1.4Time and distance calculations determine route selection decisions.
1.5Monitoring of physical and mental state of clients determines route selection decisions.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate technical skills required in trips in glaciated terrain.
Performance criteria
2.1Roping up for glaciated travel is correct.
2.2Methods of travel on glacier suit terrain and the ability of clients.
2.3Varying the roping meets the prioritising of objective hazards.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate rescue skills on glaciated terrain.
Performance criteria
3.1Rescues of self match terrain.
Rangeclimb, prussik.
3.2Rescues of roped client match terrain and state of client.
Rangeassisted and unassisted hoist, abseil to injured person.
3.3Rescue of unroped client matches terrain and state of client.
Rangeabseil in and rescue rope work.
Outcome 4
Practise risk management on guided trips in glaciated terrain.
Performance criteria
4.1All communication with client matches terrain requirements and client situation.
4.2Guide’s behaviour does not jeopardise the safety of clients or anyone else.
4.3Inappropriate behaviour in others is dealt with by means of constructive feedback.
4.4Monitoring of the environment, weather, and client conditions identifies potential hazards and allows precautions to be taken in the avoidance of hazards.
4.5Priorities are rationalised and communicated clearly in emergency situations.
Outcome 5
Evaluate the trip.
Performance criteria
5.1The evaluation methods selected meet the characteristics of the client group, the purpose of the evaluation, and the nature of information sought.
Rangethe evaluation includes clients, guiding personnel.
5.2Outcomes of the trip are evaluated against the stated objectives.
5.3Areas for improvement are identified, and recommendations are made based on evaluation results.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 27 June 1996 / 31 December 2020
Revision / 2 / 14 February 2000 / 31 December 2020
Revision / 3 / 22 October 2004 / 31 December 2020
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 23 February 2007 / 31 December 2020
Review / 5 / 25 January 2018 / 31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0102
This CMR can be accessed at
Skills Active Aotearoa LimitedSSB Code 101576 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut