Slipping Through the Cracks

After a few days away, yesterday (Tuesday) seemed to be the best day of the coming week for a quick ski, a little exercise and a great way to wind down from my brief city visit.

There had been an overnight freeze - always a good start. There were some slippery icy sections on the walking path behind Eagles Nest but the snow was also firm and made for an easy boot pack out to the hill. I kicked in a new staircase; my previous one had been melted away. Yes, there is a lot less snow out there than there was a week ago. Another 500 steps to the top of the main face, 700 to the top of the North Face and even more to the top of Everest, where I concentrated on placing feet and hands rather than counting.

From my first run, the sun facing snow had a soft surface and was prone to slipping. The bottom section below Everest actually went into a very small wet-slide. Boot packing back up the steeper section of this slope had me having to kick in deeply through the outer layer, which would slip if I didn't have purchase on the firmer layer below. The top layer, up to 10cms deep, of rotting brown snow is not stable and this should serve as a warning to all.
Sun-facing, steep slopes are likely to produce a wet-slide and this should be taken into serious consideration when choosing a descent line down any long slope, especially if there are rocks or creeks at the bottom.

View of Mt Kosciuszko through a crack in the rocks at the top of Everest

View from the top of Everest to the west of the Ramshead plateau
and of the Club Lake Chutes to the North West

Close up showing how the Ramshead Plateau is under going the thaw

The small yet indicative, wet-slide below Everest
Note small crevasse opening - it was hidden from view when approaching from above

Everest

North Face

The Chutes - soon won't be skiable as the snow continues to melt
Hard to see: wet snow also sliding on steeper sections

And finally, on the left, the Main Face - the last lines to soften in the sun

View below the bridge - a huge melt down from last week

View of the hill from the bridge

Today has turned out somewhat windier than yesterday and I suspect the snow is somewhat softer and more likely to slide. Please take care.

The Kosciuszko Express chairlift is scheduled to close the weekend after next - being at the end of Snowy Ride. For the next 4 weeks after that, accessing the main range will require the extra 20min climb up from the top of Snowgums chair, as well as the extra travelling time on the old chairlift ('slowbums').