Extreme Climate Change

I awoke / was awoken this morning to a clear blue sky. The wind had dropped and the overnight temperature had been as low as –8.7C, promising fantastic conditions on the mountain.

Figuring that the good weather would mean big crowds, even on changeover day, I grabbed my skins and pack. The piste below Kareela was very firm but not icy. My first run down World Cup revealed very fast snow conditions. The piste in the Basin area was great. The dry, cold conditions meant the groomers were producing soft dry corduroy – somewhat softer than the off-piste within the resort.

Seven of us ended up heading out to Signature Hill at the same time. Energizer-bunny was first away, followed closely by Traktorman. I, being last up Karels, had a secret plan to out do the other six as they skated and sidestepped away from me. After an easy traverse I stripped off one layer of clothing, pulled out my skins and went straight up the hill. This got me to the top first but still sweaty. We all, in turn, skied the north face – steep at the top and with a great cover of soft snow. The other six then left me to myself as I went back up for two more runs on the eastern faces. All the sun facing slopes above the resort were gorgeously soft and even the sastrugi was soft.

A quick note about yesterday: overcast, crowded with big queues and a stiff breeze. The highlight was the first grooming of Funnel Web (both upper and lower) in what I think is 4 years and we did several runs to make the most of the long lift queues.

Traktorman leads Rosco down Funnel Web yesterday

Traktorman and Rosco enjoying some steeps yesterday

Yesterday's crowds contrast against today's Middle Ramshead

Energiser bunny and Traktoman at the top of Signature Hill

Traktorman on the North Face

Wendy, Wendy, GD and Dennis on same

A now tracked out North Face

Lone tracks on the East Face

And the North East Face

Just one of the spectacular views a short climb outside the resort

The forecasts don’t look too good for new snow but Wednesday into Thursday may bring some freshies. My sister is coming to Thredbo after many years away and that could result in who-knows-what.

Richard’s Grumpy Section:
Nano foods are foods where the ingredients are modified at the molecular level. The Australian government does not require labelling and yet there is global concern over what these altered molecules might do to the human body. Want to know more? Google "nano food".

At long last the humidity reading on the BOM and Thredbo weather stations has dropped a little below 98%. Alas, Win TV has joined in protest with Prime TV and now both have gone off air. Just as well that the skiing is far, far better than sitting in front of the idiot box.

PS: I’m looking for somewhere new to live. Somewhere where football teams don’t rent the apartments above you and where your neighbours don’t chop wood on their balcony.