3 Weeks To Summer

With just over 3 weeks to the official start of the Australian summer we have had 3 snowfalls in the last week and around 90mm of rain in the 48 hours from last Thursday.

Arriving back in Thredbo on Friday after a week away I was keen to get up on the main range on Saturday and see what was left after the torrential downpour. With low cloud and a –18C wind-chill we decided not to take any ski gear with us but to just do a reconnoitre for Sunday in case conditions improved.

We walked out along the metal track towards Mt Kosciuszko, avoiding the many pools of water, into a 60kph wind and visibility of a maximum 30m. We had no idea what the slopes were like and after less than a kilometre from Eagles Nest decided to give it away.

Sunday morning started with early sunshine shining on fresh snow down to about mid station on the Kosi Express. Great, looks like a picnic is in order. Alas, one hour later low cloud again obscured the top of the resort from the village - scrap the picnic. One hour later the cloud had lifted and the weather station reported –1.4C and a wind-chill of –4C with 11kph winds up top. Good enough for me to go up the chair and have a play.

We got some strange looks as we ventured out of the village at 10:30am in full touring gear. As we strolled out towards Signature Hill we could see there had been quite a freeze overnight. The snow was firm enough to be able to put in a good boot pack and we left the skins in the packs. The snow was very enjoyablel on the first run down the steeper section of the front face. 4 boarders joined us as we climbed back up Signature Hill for a second run. Looking for more distance we took a different line down the main ridge but the new snow was sticky. Back up again, the boot pack was well set by now, and a third run down the steeper face – lovely. With the hill getting crowded we opted for lunch – all in all, a great little stint of exercise and the promise of still more opportunities during the month.

Looking to where Signature Hill should be beyond the raging waters on Saturday

Fresh snow on the upper Supertrail on Sunday morning

View from the top of Signature Hill – the new snow is mostly melted away

Ray descending Signature Hill

We shared the hill with several others

Climbing back up for run number 3 – photo by Lynne

The steeper sections were a treat – photo by Lynne

Getting busy out here – photo by Lynne

Clear alpine waters

Crevasses behind Eagles Nest

Next weekend is the Snowy Ride when thousands of motor cyclists will descend on Thredbo and the Snowy Mountains for charity. I suspect the Kosciuszko Express will close for maintenance after that. This means using Snowgums chair to access the main range - ouch.