Back

Yes, I’m back in Thredbo and I’m glad to say, the signs are that summer has past and winter is on the way.

The flies are gone and frost can be seen in the early morning. The days are cooler although the sun’s rays are still very strong.

Whilst I was away there have been some improvements on the Merritts Nature Trail. Luckily we did not have to rename it the The Howard Memorial Trail, after Howie had a major heart attack doing the climb last month. Thanks to Col, Doc Steve, the local ambos and NSW health system, Howard is still with us.

The most notable improvements are the new footbridge over the creek and the rebuilding of several steps on the lower section of the Merritts Nature Trail.

Did the new massively increased NPWS entrance fees pay for this? What do you think?

There is a lot of construction continuing in the village and on the mountain; the most notable change is the addition of the automated snow making system.

Frosty mornings are becoming more frequent

New walking bridge on the Merritts Nature Trail

Repairs to the steps on the lower Merritts Nature Trail

View back to the village from Crackenback

New automated snowmaking system being installed

No snow to be seen on Mt Kosciuszko

Signature Hill

Work pressure in Thredbo over the Canberra Day long weekend

A sample of what was found in Japan this year

I expect we will see at least one more hot session in Thredbo before winter. The long-range forecasts are apparently very promising but I’ll not be holding my breath.

Hopefully I will have my report about Japan 2006 finished in a week or so. I’ll let you know when and where.