I Am A Rock, I Am An Island

Well, if I keep trying to ski some of the lines I have been skiing I might well become a rock, or at least a messy layer merged into one. The snowdrifts continue to shrink and where longer drifts once stood they are breaking into islands of snow no longer worth trying to ski.

The laying of the new snow making pipes on Eagle Way is nearing completion. I guess they want it completed before Kosi chair reopens - whenever that is. I'll be glad when it does, as negotiating the overhanging tree branches on the Dave Kuhn Memorial Track from the top of Snowgums to Eagles Nest with skis strapped to your back is certainly a challenge. No, Dave is fine, I just think of him whenever I climb it because he built it some years ago so walkers could avoid being run down by mountain bikes hurtling down Eagle Way.

It was warm out there today but luckily a few degrees cooler than forecast and the breeze picked up cooling the sweat running down my face and back. It was also again another picture perfect day with clear blue skies almost right up to the time when I returned, some 4+ hours after my departure.

Without an overnight freeze the snow was a little softer than on my previous trips, resulting in about 2-4cms of soft on firm but still not sticky or slow. Certainly putting in the boot-pack up the Main Face and the North Face required more kicks in order to find a firm foothold.

Merritts Creek continues to open out as the winter 'Traverse'
from the Basin to Conrod falls into the creek

Even at the top of the 'hill' new life emerges from under the alpine grasses

The North Face is receding from top and bottom

Getting between the North Face & Main Face is now a challenge
A single boot-wide ridge with several metres of drop on both sides

Looking back the other way at that ridge. 3-4m drop off the left and a 15m steep slope of sliding soft on the right

Alfred Hitchcock, eat your heart out - top of the Main Face

Yes there are a lot of strange sights out there
I'd forgotten where I first saw the cosmic graffiti but have found it again
Alien life forms on the snow?

My Tuesday 8s were lonely so I gave them company

Wafer thin shell of snow over a deep drop into a rushing creek
Just one of the Spring-time dangers

Some unknown jumped into my shot from the bridge

The forecast is for rising temps on the weekend followed by rain for a couple of days. I may not get another chance to ski before Kosi chair reopens - whenever that is :-(

How slow is Snowgums chair and why do we call it 'Slowbums' chair? This morning, whilst I rode our beloved Slowbums chair, a runner passed me at Lovers Leap station and was still in front of me as I departed BunnyWalk Station. Then just below Eagles Nest as I climbed the Dave Kuhn Memorial Track, the same runner was coming down the track. I congratulated him on his effort and he told me he had just done his best time of 25 minutes from Thredbo Village to Eagles Nest. Well done! Yes, I should have taken a photo.

Just for the record, the record for that run, as I understand it, is 18 minutes. I can do it in around 90 minutes but I can get from Snowgums top station to the top of the North Face in about half that time. More incentive going that way ;-)

Happy Birthday Andreas for Sunday.

Vale Bryce Courtenay 1933-2012.