Dry Skies

It's been a dry week, mostly with sunshine and cold temperatures under the high pressure system. Generally the snow has remained in good condition on piste. Off piste has patches of firm, soft, sastrugi and ice sheets.

It was a delightful day on Monday so Marion and I joined Jerry & Phoebe to DHG so we could drink Jerry's special fizz. The snow was so-so. Good away from the other tracks and somewhat firm and bouncy whenever we came across others.

The grooming has been good too. They do have a good quality of white stuff to work with. The snow guns have been busy most nights topping up the groomers. Crowds have been down meaning little waiting for any lifts.

This morning the sun was shining when I got out of bed but by the time I walked out the door it was grey and overcast with a cold moist wind that really got under my skin. The wind blown snow from yesterday had absorbed the airborne moisture and was no longer dry. I found the off piste quite bouncy but the groomers were nice.

Jerry above Bogong between ice sheets and sastrugi

Bubbling/babbling alpine stream

Jerry, Phoebe and Marion into the fizz and sunshine

Bogong Creek

What is shown on the trail map as The Tors - through the rocks off Karels on Tuesday

View across Powder Bowl towards Stanleys on Wednesday

The wind picked up considerably yesterday - traverse to Wiamea

There's a new peak forming at the top of Kosi chair

Today's base depth reading - down a tad

On Monday night I enjoyed a superb dinner at Black Bear. Many courses of fine food with fine David Hook wines between. Marion and I were privileged to be on the big table with wine maker David Hook, the band and other notables. All making for a grand evening.

For some reason we didn't get our weekly Thursday snowfall. Probably more of that climate change thing. There is a little white forecast from Sunday onwards. Yes, we could do with a top up. The sastrugi is starting to spread across the off piste slopes like a weed.

The Top (well not quite) - To - Bottom Races are on this Saturday.

Still stuck grumping on July 2014 issues, no wonder everything came to a head.
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