8 Down, 4 To Go!

Just over a month ago my Odyssey began with much water under the bridge and from the sky since then. Over the past fortnight I've made my way from Mt Buller to Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain and then across the High Plains to Falls Creek before skiing at Mt Buffalo. I've now skied at each of the 8 Victorian snow resorts and have now reached Mt Bogong which, at 1986 metres, is Victoria's highest mountain.

It took me 5 days to reach Mt Hotham from Mt Buller, 5 days of walking in generally low, snow-free Alpine country. Getting over Mt Despair, The Razor and The Viking was pretty challenging, particularly when the weather turned ugly. I popped out onto the Great Alpine Road, 10km below Mt Hotham to my old mate Bill Taylor, from Mt Beauty, there with his van full of Iced Coffee, Hot Coffee and all manner of treats along with my mountain bike. I rode through Hotham surrounded by plenty of the white stuff on the mountains either side, and on another 14km to Dinner Plain, now with plenty of the white stuff falling from above me. With thanks to Heather and Steve, I had the use of their apartment in Dinner Plain for the next 3 nights while I skied Hotham and Dinner Plain (with its one lift). By then I had company with Dave, a mate from Sydney, joining me at Dinner Plain.

With a lovely fresh fall of snow it was magic to ski some Hotham powder and make first tracks across the High Plains for 2 days to Falls Creek, with Dave and Britta, the other half of the Bill&Britta Collective!

Once at Falls Creek I really could put my tired feet up (in between skiing of course), with thanks to the Astra Hotel who hosted, fed, massaged and even styled my hair, which is some achievement! The Astra and parent company, The Traverse Alpine Group have been great supporters of my fundraising including creating a very refreshing Alpine Odyssey cocktail and special menu items at their various Falls Creek venues with proceeds to Our Yarning. They also 'bought' Falls Creek for the fundraising. While I've covered the kilometres they really did go the extra mile, as so many of you have done so.

At Falls Creek I was joined by my old mate and brilliant adventure sports photographer Mark Watson. The Astra lulled him into a false sense of security as to the discomforts of the next 12 days he will be with me to help document my journey.

Photo Credit: Mark Watson | Falls Creek

But it wasn't all cocktails, ski lifts and downhill runs at Falls Creek. Last Saturday I joined 900 other skiers in the 30th edition of the Kangaroo Hoppet, Australia's largest XC ski race. It was great to finally race the Hoppet after all this time and to do it on a perfect bluebird day and so good to celebrate the XC skiing community after 2 years of Covid cancellations. It was the furthest distance (40km) I've gone in one day, in the shortest time (2.5hrs), during my Alpine Odyssey but I just ended up back where I started!

Yesterday we skied at Mt Buffalo, certainly one of the most unique landscapes of our Alpine country. Despite the paucity of snow we had a ball messing about amongst the rusting old lift lines and unique granite blades and boulders. The Buffalo lifts have not turned for nearly 20 years, but Buffalo was the first place in Australia to have ski lifts, lifts that started turning 90 years ago. Whilst my journey is a celebration of our Alpine country and its communities, it is also about recognising the very real threats to this fragile landscape - from feral animals and plants and of course from climate change. Everything flows from us. The trend this past half century has been reduced snowpack and warming temperatures. In alpine landscapes like Australia's, where the temperatures hover close to one side or t'other of zero, a small change means the difference between snow and rain. Marginal, lower altitude resorts like Buffalo feel these effects the most.

Photo Credit: Mark Watson | Mt Buffalo

From here, Mt Bogong, Victoria's highest, I continue on toward NSW, hopefully reaching Thredbo next Sunday 4th. As I'll be crossing some lower country, the last few days to Thredbo Mark and I will do by mountain bike, although I'm sure we will push/ride through a fair bit of snow.

Many of you will recall Heidi Peirce who is attempting to become the first woman to complete a winter traverse of the Australian Alps. Heidi and I bumped into each other 3 weeks or so ago. She was then held up by the weather, spending a week at one hut waiting, waiting. While I've been diverting to the resorts, Heidi has been pressing on, already past Mt Bogong. Hopefully our paths will cross again these coming days.

Can you help me reach the $50,000 target for Our Yarning?

The fundraising has slowed a little these past couple of weeks as we head towards $37,000. Appreciate any help to get me to my target. Find out how here. Obviously mostly with general donations but, with a few resorts and mountains still 'on the market' Alpine Odyssey Real Estate has said they will consider any genuine offers for those remaining. Imagine owning Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo, Perisher (Blue Cow), Perisher (Smiggins) or Selwyn Snow Resorts. Or stand proudly atop Mt Bogong or Mt Bimberi? The reserve price is $500 for all of these!

Schedule

Subject to the vagaries bounds of weather, health and much else, I hope to be in Thredbo in the period 4-6 September, Charlotte Pass 7-8 September, Perisher 8-10 September and to finish in the ACT around 17 September.

Thanks everyone for your interest and support and, as always, you can unsubscribe from these occasional Alpine Odyssey Updates below.

Stay well.

Cheers, Huw