One More Off the Bucket List

To avoid the weekend crowds, the race crowds and to get out into the brilliant blue-sky weather, Marion and I headed off on Saturday at a casual time from the top of Karels. Our final destination, one for the bucket list, was to ski Etheridge. I had admired ski turns on the north-eastern faces over the years when approaching Kosi from Charlottes and although I had been past the back of Etheridge numerous times en route to or from Kosi I'd never actually skied those faces. The climb up the back from Cootapatamba Lookout was relatively easy as the snow pack contained a lot of ice clumps and we simply boot-packed our way to the top.

The snow on the peak was soft and 10cms or so deep. The faces looked nice. Marion took a lower line where she could see to the bottom of the chute, while I went from the peak where you couldn't see the bottom until well committed onto the face. Marion had the pick of it. The snow of the face I took turned out to be 1cm of soft on a very firm base and being on my tourers with little edge, the descent was not what I had hoped for. Below the steep descent there was another drop that led out into the wide open bowl that stretches from Seaman's Hut to Kosi Lookout and Charlotte Pass. This was exciting as I decided to maximise distance at speed back towards Thredbo across soft deep patches between hard fast icy patches of snow. Note to self: great kiting area.

After some deliberation and snacks, we decided to make the climb back up towards Kosi Lookout rather than over towards Merritts. It was a lot more tiring than either of us had expected. We certainly knew about it by the time we got back to the resort. Note to self: get fitter.

On the way back I finally had my first run down Sundance for the season. It was firm, well covered and devoid of other riders - quite enjoyable. Has anyone else seen the black cat I saw run between Lovers Leap and the Merritts chair? Luckily our paths didn't cross ;-) Something for Barry O'Farrell and his shooter mates perhaps?

Looking towards our destination from beyond Nth Ramshead
Kosi in the middle, Etheridge on the right

Mt Kosciuszko peak from Cootapatamba Lookout

Kosi South Ridge & Lake Cootapatamba

Almost there - The final peak is on the left

Fascinating lighting on the Club Lake Chutes

Marion's line turned out much better snow than mine

Marion's line on the left mine (indiscernible) from the peak on the right

Marion in the middle of a looong run.
We had started from top left of picture

Seaman's Hut and a strange large, orange thing we are told is a toilet block?

Katie & Matt riding Karels this morning for the untracked cord

Marion took numerous photos of me but without first opening the lens cover ;-)

The slalom section of the Thredbo Cup was on today and I decided a little hair-of-the-dog was in order to stretch out yesterday's aches. The Supertrail didn't inspire me so after one run I did several groomers off Karels, Basin and finally Sponars with Lucky Phil, Paulo, GD & Wendy before coffee.

Happy 86th Tommy Tomasi for Monday!