Monday Maddness

I went to Kosi last Monday and to Ethridge this Monday. Wow, a lot has changed with a week of hot weather - both in and out of the resort. There have been 3 more slides on the Kosi cornice and several others in neighbouring areas. I think it is simply the hot weather causing cornices to break away. It's certainly not rain or wind or snow.

For her last day in Thredbo, yesterday, Jen organised Kristy, through K7 Adventures, to take her outback for the day. As I was going west as well, I tagged along out of curiosity more than anything. Both being a few years younger than myself (20-30 years younger ;-) the girls put on a good pace as we headed out from the top of Sponars. This is not a line I have used to head out towards Kosi before and considering it was pretty well flat the entire way, not a route I would choose again. I like to climb and ski, climb and ski... and so I left the merry duo on their final ascent of Ethridge so I could climb back up to Nth Ramshead and ski Sig Hill on my return rather than skin back across the flats to Antons. Unlike last week, boot packing was not an option.

The cover is rapidly disappearing on the flatter areas and creeks are opening up. If I pushed my clock forward 4 weeks it would feel right. So much has melted that I could only just ski back to the resort from the Hill without negotiating the vegetation, creeks and rocks.

Alas, too many photos and too little space...

Looking towards Kosi South Ridge from Ethridge
Close up of big slide from well above Cootapatamba Hut

Kristy gets first tracks from the peak

The snow is deep and soooooft

Spiralling down the steep, safely between the cornices

Jen goes next

Spectacular views

Brilliant line with a NE aspect

That dot bottom-right is Kristy

Ethridge range with slide on left and our tracks on right
This slide happened sometime during our first ascent and descent

Close up of our first descent

Today (Tuesday) has been a repeat of yesterday except that we did have a good frost in the village this morning, which kept the snow less soft for longer - if you get my drift.

Only 4 days to the Federal election. I have spent a lot of time googling the myriad of parties standing for NSW senate. It will be so good to have it over and done with.

Many have expressed the dissatisfaction in how politics have been going in Australia for some years (both at federal and state levels). My advice to them was to make a point this election by posting a protest vote and then place your desired choice of major party as your second preference. If your protest vote is for a minority party it probably won't change the final outcome BUT if the major parties get enough of a decent scare this election they just might start listening to the people again and stop breaking promises after being elected.

Personally I believe Libs, Labs & Greens all need a big shake up so they stop taking us for granted. Hurry up Saturday!