Escaping The Heat

Summer weather has hit the Snowies and the flowers are coming out all over the lower slopes. There is not much yet happening up high in the floral department. The snow pack continues to recede rapidly and now there are only drifts of snow persisting on the main range. There are traces of snow up high in the resort but they probably won’t last much longer.

On Sunday, to escape the valley heat (approaching 26C) and to get some exercise, Ray and I decided to put in a few turns on Signature Hill. Even though the air temp was near 18C up top, there was a stiff breeze that kept us cool during the climb. The snow was surprisingly firm with only the top 1-2 centimetres being at all soft. We kicked in a boot pack up the face and enjoyed getting some turns on the front face that has a good pitch on it. The snow is getting patchy but the real test were the deep trenches in the snow carved by rainwater. These were up to 30 centimetres deep and about the same in width. With the snow pack as firm as it was the trenches were a little unsettling and we soon learnt to avoid them.

We only skied till midday and then left the softening snow to recover from our presence.

Sunset last Wednesday over the Basin

Flowers out on the lower slopes – no it’s not wattle

Mountain bikes have taken over the Supertrail

Mt Kosciuszko and the remains of the cornice

Not much snow between the top of Signature Hill and Eagle’s Nest

Ray heading for the deep rainwater ruts on the snow pack

Richard going wide to avoid the ruts - photo by Lynne

Ray up front with Richard attempting figure 8s - photo by Lynne

We covered most lines

View back to Signature Hill from the bridge

It’s still lovely and quiet in the village and should remain so until the school holidays kick in. Just the place to escape the low land heat.

I don’t know if I will get any more turns in this year – may be on the bobsled.