Last Stand?

It has been 7 days since my last ski (last Saturday) and what a dramatic change has occurred. I would estimate that between 50cm and 1 metre of snow pack has disappeared. On current standings I don't see the snow lasting nearly as long as last year :-(

That all said, despite the lack of overnight freezes, the snow was good for skiing. Not too soft, not too hard, not slow and not bouncy but just right, especially when negotiating the rocks on the North Face. The short adrenalin blasts were intoxicating and I did several lines before one down the Main Face to return home. Unfortunately you now have to cross a few patches of undergrowth to get back to the walking track.

The air temp has been high but a very brisk breeze (about double the forecast 20-40kph) kept the climbs bearable.

Yes, the jumps are hanging in there on Central Spur

Merritts Creek - compare with the 2nd last photo from last week

My target, Signature Hill and
the view beyond that to the Club Lake Chutes

Everest and the main range beyond Signature Hill

Marion won't be skiing the waterfall (now waterfalls) again this year

The emerging rocks on the North Face created some interesting lines

The sink hole has sunk - compare with 2nd photo from last week

The good side to the heat and thaw is that the wild flowers are already springing up all over
Yellow ones, white ones, blue ones and orange ones (mostly below Eagles Nest)

Ever get the feeling that no matter how hard you try
you just know that someone is soon going to trample you back into the ground?

That standard shot from the bridge - my work is done

Next weekend, when Kosi chair opens for Snowy Ride, might be close to the end of it. At present the forecast is not looking good for next weekend. It will take a lot to climb up from Snowgums for the diminishing returns after that.

Don't miss the next exciting instalment of the never ending saga of the Squatters Run body corporate, now posted at: wikigrumps/4579700901_2014102015/