The Longest Day

Today, Tuesday 21st of December, is the longest day of the year in the southern hemisphere.

Believe it or not, this morning, together with Marion and Acacia, I went for a ski out behind Thredbo ski resort. This was a personal first for me - the first time I have skied on the longest day and the latest day in the year I have ever skied on fresh snow in either hemisphere.

It was cold and windy with poor visibility, very wintry indeed. The wind chill was around -5C and we spent our 2 hours in the clouds. The new snow was up to knee deep in some drifts but averaged 15-20cms in all but the wind-scoured areas. See yesterday's report for more photos of the 4 day snowfall.

The first run was probably close to a kilometre long but involved a lot of traversing and navigating rocks and creeks. The next five runs were much shorter but we could put in continuous turns on the fresh snow on top of existing snow pack. The final run threaded its way around vegetation and rocks, following the deeper snow in creek beds and eventually took me all the way back to the bridge behind Eagles Nest - you know, that bridge I am always taking photos from.

The girls ahead as we pass over the lush green slopes

Now above the snow line and well into the wind

The cloud thinned enough to get one snap of Signature Hill

Looking back towards Eagles Nest

The Kosciuszko walking track - snow covered and not

Acacia on teles tests the new snow

Marion sails past and into the fog

Merritts Creek above the bridge

Acacia ripping up the fresh snow

Marion found another waterfall, although hard to see in the cloud

On our return we came across the chaps repairing the weather station out behind Eagles Nest just as they were completing their task. The BOM reports are now active but I note that the KT site has not yet picked up the new feed.