Who Spotted Wazza?

Friday was a glorious day. Marion, Jax and I decided to try one last Dead Horse Gap. I failed in an attempt to fly my kite as the wind dropped while we walked out the back of Karels. The snow was firm and the cover good until just before the final drop where we had to cross some grassy patches. The snow is collapsing in many places into the creeks below and we had to walk out the last 150m to the bridge at the lower car park.

Saturday was a repeat of Friday's weather. Five of us headed off into the Ramsheads. Pretty much a repeat of the previous Saturday's trip, only this time the destination was much deeper into Leatherbarrel Creek. Rosco (back for the weekend), TraKtorman and myself descended down into Champagne Bowl while Jax and Karen relayed navigational tips to us from a high vantage point. Again the snow on this south facing steep slope was firm but not icy. We stopped on a ridge at the bottom of the bowl and then decided to continue below that, knowing that every second of enjoyment was to be paid for with several minutes of hard climb back up the mountain. The climb was difficult as the snow of the way out was much softer and our skins let go on a few occasions. Lunch was welcome along with a good rest before skiing to the upper car park at Dead Horse Gap via South Ramshead, where we met two keen guys peddling from “Snow to Salt” (Mt Kosciuszko to Lake Eyre – the highest and lowest points in Australia) to raise funds for sufferers of cystic fibrosis.

After a good rest, Sunday beckoned us out once again. This time it was Rosco, Marion, Jax and myself heading out to lunch near Mt Kosciuszko. There was a stiff head wind, which came into play on my return when I kited from beyond North Ramshead back to Signature Hill and saved some effort in the process. I sent Rosco up the South Ridge first, to test conditions and so I could photograph his descent – I also figured this would slow him down to my pace when I climbed the ridge. The snow on the steepest sections was quite firm while my descent line was a tad softer and consequently you can see my turns. The climb out of Cootapatamba was much softer as the west facing slopes absorbed the afternoon rays.

Today was a little sad. More of the resort has been closed down. All but the Supertrail is now closed to the valley and Gunbarrel and Snowgums chairs are closed. There is little of Friday Flat left but the upper slopes are still in great condition. Antons, Sponars, Cruiser, Basin and Karels along with Merritts and Kosciuszko Express. The snow was soft from first thing and Rosco and I had great fun carving deep (and I mean deep) trenches into Supertrail and The Basin. I left the mountain only one hour after starting. Luckily the small crowds will mean preservation of the remaining runs for some time yet.

Friday – Dropping into Bogong, Marion, Jax and the bottom of DHG

Saturday – Looking into Champagne Bowl. Rosco drops over the bottom ridge
Looking across the bowl, half way down. Looking back hald way up the climb out

Rosco surveying one of our options. Four amigos heading to South Ramshead
Moon rising over our tracks. Dropping down to the upper car park

Sunday Morning: Central Spur, Supertrail, High Noon

Rosco: a dot on the boot pack zipper line up to the Kozi cornice

Off the cornice and down

View from the top of the cornice - southern end

South Ridge: Rosco, Marion, Jaxster

Homeward bound: Mt Kosciuszko and our tracks on South Ridge

Milk Run: Sunday morning - Friday Flat: Sunday afternoon

Alas, so many photos taken over a blue sky weekend but only 10 slots to show.

There is snow forecast later in the week. There is little to no chance of an extension of the season beyond next weekend. Meanwhile the main range is in great condition.

We all wish Wazza well and hope you have a quick recovery - three weekends without a ski. I seem to be running out of ski partners this season.