Just For The Exercise

Marion and I went for first lift yesterday, only to find a long queue of walkers already waiting. As we climbed out of the thick fog we could see that a lot of snow had disappeared since our last walk out to Signature Hill, 10 days prior. Even so, there were still remnants of our staircase up the back entrance to Signature Hill.

I immediately went for a run on Everest lest it get too soft in the broken sunlight. It was soft from top to bottom, mainly due to the fact there hadn't been a decent freeze in a long time. The turns were slightly snow-motion but very enjoyable. With my adrenalin levels raised, the climb back up was much easier than the first. We did a short run back down the Back Face, climbed back up and did the North Face where the snow was balling in the soft conditions. Another run on the Back Face and then after our fifth climb of the hill and a chocolate break we turned our attention to the Front Face. As we approached the bottom we found the snow had turned in the rising temp and was getting sticky. There was no point in climbing back as the temperature wasn't dropping.

There were a lot of people out on the range - large groups of overseas tourists, school groups and many more. It is good to see people out enjoying what nature has to offer - unlike the mindless cross country skier who left a beer bottle in the snow at the top of the North Face. Yes, we did remove it.

We got back to Eagles Nest about the same time as the first of the walking groups returned from Mt Kosciuszko. My body certainly felt the exercise but I consider it much more fun than simply walking to the roof of Australia.

Marion climbing out of the cloud to the back door of Signature Hill

Marion snaps me on Everest

Marion on the Back Face

Marion climbing back for more

Snow balling on the North Face

Front Face

Figure 8s on the Back Face and Parallels on the Front Face

Getting that last little bit on the Front Face

Boarders building a kicker on North Face after we left

View from the bridge - noticeably different to last week's photo

Possibly snow early next week with the Adelaide forecast saying 15C and showers. Hopefully all will be clear for the 3,000+ bikers coming to Thredbo and the Snowy Mountains for the annual 'Snowy Ride' - a great charity event to raise funds for child cancer research.

The Grump (try this quick quiz):
You have probably heard about the NSW government's plan to massively increase the number of hidden mobile speed cameras all the time saying it is not revenue raising but about safety.

Does a camera detect drunk or drug influenced drivers?
Does a camera detect road rage?
Does a camera detect unroadworthy vehicles?
Does a camera detect overcrowded vehicles?
Does a camera detect sleepy drivers?
Does a camera detect speeding drivers out of the narrow view of the camera?
Does a camera detect vehicles being driven on the wrong side of the road?
Does a camera detect vehicles being driven on the footpath?
Does a camera detect vehicles parked dangerously?
Does a camera detect vehicles swerving erratically?
Does a camera detect unrestrained children?
Does a camera detect drivers using mobile phones?
Does a camera detect idiots throwing rocks from bridges?
Does a camera detect people throwing objects from a vehicle?
Does a camera detect street crime or anything other than speeding?
Does a camera stop speeding at the time of infringement?
Can a camera render assistance at an accident or breakdown?
Can a camera detect dangerous road conditions like a fallen tree?
Can a camera respond to an emergency call?
Can a camera spot a lost child or missing person?
Is a driver driving safely when constantly watching their speedometer and not the road?

And so many more questions that can be answered YES if you replace hidden mobile cameras with highly marked mobile police cars.

Having highly visible police patrol our streets and highways costs money but provides so many benefits to improve our lives. Obviously, something the NSW government does not care about.

How can our governments expect the public to believe anything they say?

Change governments regularly and stay away from single party governments to prevent the lies, deception and arrogance that seem to come from ultimate power.