Fav Fridays

Fridays were generally the best days on snow in 2013 and today was no exception. The weather checked out OK and I got a bonus when I saw Kosi chair opening. I had expected it would only run for the Snowy Ride weekend and neither of those days had a forecast as good as today's.

There was a fresh breeze but my shell was only required for the chair ride and was stowed as soon as I hit the snow line.

The snow was like firm sorbet with a firmer base. I had to kick in the zipper line again but strangely my tracks from last Sunday were more visible today than then. This added a challenge to today's exercise - to put 8's on last weekend's turns, which I had not set with any intention of completing 8's and consequently some turns today were close to rocks and obstacles than I would normally have intended.

Everest with the main range behind

Ramshead range with North Ramshead on right

Etheridge and Club Lake chutes

The zipper line reinstalled

View from top of the Main Face looking back to Eagles Nest

Putting 8's on last Sunday's turns on the North Face

Unfortunately I did have to cross some dark patches that weren't there last weekend

In places the snow pack was like a sea of sorbet waves
not bouncy - just lovely

That snow bridge from last Friday is hanging in there - just

Photo from the bridge

I'd say that about half a metre had disappeared from the snow pack in the past 5 days. Snow is forecast for Sunday and Monday. Will it never end ;-)

The Snowy Ride officially gets under way tomorrow - more photos by the end of the weekend.