More Work For Diminishing Returns

The weather was perfect for skiing over the weekend. Marion, back from weeks in Tasmania and realising she hadn't skied this November, decided she would join me for some alpine exercise.

On Saturday morning, with packed lunches, a thermos of coffee and lots of water, we trudged up from the top of Snowgums (Kosi chair being closed for annual maintenance). The 100mm of rain during the week had had a huge impact on the snow pack. We went to the top of Summer Drift and had several runs on the drift interspersed with coffee and lunch and then trudged back down to Snowgums chair. The snow was good. May be a tad slow but then Summer Drift is not very steep.

Sunday morning arrived and I was determined to go out and do Signature Hill, possibly for the last time this year. Marion decided hair-of-the-dog would be good and she too came along for the day. By the time we reached the bottom of the hill we felt as though we had already climbed it. It was only 580 steps to the top of the North Face, some 200 less steps than a week ago - some indication of how much snow has been flushed away. Marion took photos and a rest while I did a couple of runs on the North Face. The snow was really nice. Not at all slow - a couple of centimetres of soft on a firm and bouncy base.

The Main Face was also enjoyable and Marion got to do her waterfall run before we worked our way back to the walking track for the long trudge back to Snowgums. It was decidedly warmer than on Saturday and I only wore my vest riding the chair.

Views from the top of Summer Drift: Mount Kosciuszko
Everest and the Back Door of Signature Hill (can just make out my tracks from last week)

Time for 8s on the Upper Drift
Large sump in Merritts Creek

Marion stays clear of the deep fissures in the snow

Sunday: Marion a dot on the ridge line to the left of the big rock
Close up of the same big rock from the other side

Marion behind the camera as I take my first run down the North Face

On my second run I attempted 8s on my earlier tracks

Enough of that

Marion on the Main Face before dropping past her favourite waterfall run

Another view of that sump hole on the way back from the Hill
And looking back to our turns on the hill

Yep, that old standard - the view from the brdige

The forecasts are for windy weather for much of the week so I may just go back up next weekend for another look.