A Sunny Day Out On The Range

By Tuesday the winds had dropped to a light breeze and the temperature seemed just right. Marion and I made first chair up Kosi and proceeded directly to Signature Hill where we boot-packed up the back of Signature Hill. My first run was on, what Marion has now termed, "Everest" - that higher and narrower peak behind Signature Hill. The snow was fast and there was that wonderful sound of breaking glass on each turn until I hit the north facing part of the slope and the snow was softer but still fast. After my climb back up, Marion and I then skied the North Face before it softened too much. As we prepared to climb the boot-pack staircase again up the back of Signature Hill, we were joined by Ray & Lynne.

A short steep run of 12 turns down the back face and then back up where Ray & I did another North Face, which was slowing up just a tad at the bottom. One more use of the staircase and then down the steep section of the main face to join the girls before trekking all the way back up the main face for a final long run to the creek and the walk back to Eagles Nest.

In all, I was out for just over 4 hours, almost 3 of which were actually spent on the snow - a lot of exercise and some sun. Both Wednesday and Thursday have been much hotter than Tuesday and so I've stayed in. May be tomorrow I'll get another run.

The traverse from the Basin to Conrod Straight

High Plateau behind the top of Signature Hill

Marion near the top of the main face with the bridge below

Marion on the main face, Ray on the north face

Ray and Marion on the back face beside our staircase

Yours truly on Everest (photo by Marion)

Marion on main face, Ray on steep section of main face, moi on north face

The sink hole - see also October 11 report

Our hard-to-see tracks on Signature Hill, looking from the Basin

That standard shot (not seen for some months) from the bridge

Yesterday I was reading forecasts predicting rain from Friday to next Tuesday. Today the same forecasters are predicting snow on Saturday & Sunday and no rain. There's still more fun to be had. Reports from fellow adventurers say that the Snowy River is still quite high - so deep that only waders would keep you dry when crossing below Charlotte's Pass. The current is reported as being very strong so be careful.

The Grump:
You have all heard that loud call for tax on carbon. Now there's a call for a tax on sodium, a tax on sugar and a tax of fast foods in general.

We already have a tax on almost everything (it's called GST) as well as road tax, alcohol tax, gambling tax, income tax, land tax and many, many more (including company, super & payroll tax).

Oh yes, and that super profits tax that won't be put on banks, oil companies, electricity companies, telecommunications companies or super markets that are already ripping the lining from our wallets.

Now the greens want inheritance tax - the most evil tax of all - collected from dead people by stealing from the few pennies you manage to save for your children after you have spent a lifetime paying all the other taxes.

What's next? Grump Tax? Meanwhile, there are still a few elements on the periodic table not yet taxed but that won't last for long.

It's time to point the finger at those responsible for the ridiculous state of affairs in our beloved Australia - the politicians: Federal, State and Local.

Let's replace all taxes with just one tax - a tax on politicians, paid only by politicians. Or at least introduce a "hot air" tax, which the pollies will end up paying.