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A WEEK SKIING THE BOGONG HIGH PLAINS by Adrian Jones

AUGUST 2011

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Skiing the Bogong High Plains

Participants: Peter Raymond, Masako MacEwan, Adrian Jones and from Geelong Bushwalking Club, Chris Collett and Richard Slade.

Peter and Masako arrived on Sunday afternoon and warmed up Melaleuca Lodge for the rest of us who arrived late that evening. There was little snow at Howman’s Gap and much sign of rain…not promising for the week ahead. In fact remembering the ‘Antarctic like’ conditions for much of the trip last year (and the year before), and a very ordinary forecast, I was a little apprehensive about the week.

I was wrong.

Monday we headed off at 9.00 and skied out to Langford’s Gap and then on to Wallaces Hut and return. A little wind, a little overcast, but very good snow, with good visibility. A great start to the week and a good forecast.

Tuesday, enthusiasm is growing, we start earlier. Up Heathy spur, out to Edmonson’s Hut, gale winds on Nelse so we avoid it,  instead ski across to Johnson’s, then Fitzgerald’s and then Kelly’s. (Why did none of the hut signs have an ’s)?  All huts are in top condition, Johnson’s now even has a shower room! Some highlights… great views of Feathertop, Buffalo and the cornice on Nelse, and the snowgums at Kelly’s and Fitzgerald’s. Get back to Windy Corner just before dark.

Wednesday, a little earlier again, morning tea at Pretty Valley Hut, cross country to Cope Hut for lunch, then a rough cross country trip  to the Dam, around the dam (crossing several interesting snow bridges on the way) to Sun Valley and home. Great snow and weather, fine views to Nelse and beyond. Snow is melting fast.

This is too good! Even more enthusiastically we get away on Thursday  at 8.30, and again are at Pretty Valley Hut for smoko, lunch at Tawonga Huts (11.30), and return to Windy Corner by 4.00. Superb views of Feathertop Buffalo and Bogong and the cornice on Mackay. Our best day yet. Snow patchy on the way back

Friday, the snow is disappearing fast. Ski out to Watchbed Creek and return on the alternative to the start of Heathy Spur. No snow on the Dam Wall at all. Ski below it and then to Windy Corner and the trip is over.

A memorable week. A well-balanced party. The forecast rain never came (during the day) and we didn’t ski in the Village once. No snow left at Howmans.

Thanks in particular to Chris and Peter for their encyclopedic knowledge of the High Plains (why did I bother with a map?), Masako for that gourmet food and Richard for sacrificing himself (for me) on an icy slope.

And it’s booked for next year.

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