What Did You Do Over Easter?

And what I didn't do...

After years of discussion a plan formed a few days before Easter. Weather depending, the trek was on. Rosco, Matthew and Traktorman were off to walk the full line of the old Chalet Chairlift. The main reason for this was for Matthew's benefit, who is writing a book on the historic chairlift.

Rosco has over some 40 years ventured to parts of the lift line in both summer and winter and has watched as the infrastructure was knocked down, fell down and stood up to the elements.

The journey started with Jax providing the intrepid trio with transport to Charlotte Pass and after many hours they finally crossed the Thredbo River at the old Ranger Station where they had left a car to return them to Thredbo Village where hot showers and red wine soothed their battered bodies.

The full story of the Chalet Chairlift will no doubt be revealed when Matthew Quomi's book is published.

All photos in this report are courtesy of Rosco. The old photos taken with his old box Brownie, whilst the current photos were taken with his slightly more modern digital camera.

Looking back towards Charlotte Pass

Crossing the range was the easy bit (top photo taken in 1972)

Matthew and Traktorman standing on some of the old ruins

Approaching the top station

View from the above the old top station

Same place - looking north - winter 2007

Looking back at the old restaurant (top photo taken in 1979)

Top photo taken in 1978

The old Ranger Station far below

Dropping down into Thredbo Valley (top photo taken in 1975)
Tree growth obscuring the lift line

Team Research warn caution against others attempting the same trek. Although the lift line is only about six kilometres long but the descent to the Thredbo river was steep and through very thick bush...starting with shoulder high mint-bush and getting worse. The tree canopy meant there were no landmarks visible to navigate by.

Meanwhile Winter approaches. The days and especially the nights are getting cooler :-)