Off-Stream Storage Native Vegetation Offset Strategy FINAL REPORT

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Off-Stream Storage Native Vegetation Offset Strategy FINAL REPORT Mount Buller Sustainable Water Security Project – Off-stream Storage Native Vegetation Offset Strategy FINAL REPORT Prepared for the Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board 4 May 2017 © Biosis September 2012 – Leading ecology and heritage consultants 1 Biosis offices Document information Report to: Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Resort Management Board Canberra Prepared by: Michael Goddard Phone: (02) 6102 1200 Email: [email protected] Matt Looby Rachel Clancy Biosis project no.: 24846 NEW SOUTH WALES File name: 24846.Mt.Buller.Water.Storage.Offset.Strategy. Newcastle FIN02.20170413 Phone: (02) 4968 4901 Citation: Biosis 2017. Mount Buller Sustainable Water Email: [email protected] Security Project – Off-stream Storage: Native Sydney Vegetation Offset Strategy. Report for Mount Phone: (02) 9101 8700 Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Email: [email protected] Management Board. Authors: Goddard M, Looby M and Clancy R. Biosis Pty Ltd, Wollongong Melbourne. Project no. 24846. Phone: (02) 4201 1090 Email: [email protected] Document control QUEENSLAND Brisbane Version Reviewer Date issued Phone: (07) 3831 7400 Draft version 01 MJAL 08/03/2016 Email: [email protected] Final version 01 AJH 22/08/2016 Final version 02 AJH 13/04/2017 TASMANIA Hobart Acknowledgements Phone: (03) 8686 4821 Email: [email protected] Biosis acknowledges the contribution of the following people and organisations in undertaking this study: VICTORIA The Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Ballarat Management Board: Louise Perrin and Tom Kelly. Phone: (03) 5304 4250 Email: [email protected] Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for Melbourne (Head Office) access to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and for preparing Phone: (03) 8686 4800 Offset Site Reports. Fax: (03) 9646 9242 Email: [email protected] Wangaratta Biosis Pty Ltd Phone: (03) 5718 6900 This document is and shall remain the property of Biosis Pty Ltd. The document may only be used Email: [email protected] for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of the Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. Disclaimer: Biosis Pty Ltd has completed this assessment in accordance with the relevant federal, state and local legislation and current industry best practice. The company accepts no liability for any damages or loss incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the report content or for any purpose other than that for which it was intended. © Biosis 2015 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting www.biosis.com.au I Contents Glossary.................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Project background ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Permitted clearing and offsets .................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Offsets in Victoria's alpine resorts ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Objectives ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Proposed vegetation removal and offsets required ............................................................................. 6 2.1 Clearing site details ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Proposed vegetation removal ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Offsets requirements .................................................................................................................................................. 6 3. Achieving offsets ......................................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Approach to identifying offset sites .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Offset site eligibility ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.2.1 Current and future land use .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.2.2 Existing offsets or agreements ...................................................................................................................... 9 3.2.3 Threats to native vegetation condition ........................................................................................................ 9 3.2.4 Minimum security and management commitments ............................................................................... 9 4. Desktop assessment ................................................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Desktop assessment methods ............................................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Outcome of desktop assessment .......................................................................................................................... 11 5. Field assessment ....................................................................................................................................... 12 5.1 Field assessment methods ...................................................................................................................................... 12 5.1.1 Native vegetation mapping, quality assessments and gain scoring .................................................. 12 5.1.2 Targeted surveys and habitat mapping.................................................................................................... 13 5.2 Outcome of field assessment ................................................................................................................................. 13 5.2.1 Native vegetation mapping, quality assessments and gain scoring .................................................. 13 5.2.2 Targeted surveys and habitat mapping.................................................................................................... 16 5.2.3 Records of flora species and management issues................................................................................. 19 6. Applying the alternative arrangements ............................................................................................... 20 6.1 Requirements for consideration of alternative offset arrangements ........................................................... 20 6.1.1 Specific offsets cannot be obtained .......................................................................................................... 20 6.1.2 Impacts minimised ........................................................................................................................................ 20 © Biosis 2016 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting www.biosis.com.au II 6.1.3 Equivalent evidence-based outcomes ...................................................................................................... 21 6.2 DELWP approval ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 7. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 22 References ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Figures .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Photos .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................ 42 Appendix 1: Biodiversity impact and offset requirements (BIOR) report ................................................. 43 Appendix 2: Desktop offset site gain scoring .................................................................................................. 76 Appendix 3: Average habitat hectares scores ...............................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Burrows, Helen Y. Melbourne, 2008; Mount Buller, Victorian Alps, 2009– 2010; Saint Michael’S Grammar School, Saint Kilda, B
    Burrows, Helen Y. Melbourne, 2008; Mount Buller, Victorian Alps, 2009– 2010; Saint Michael’s Grammar School, Saint Kilda, b. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Melbourne, 2013–2016 Residence: Australia Professional Memberships Email: [email protected] Clivia Society, Melbourne Web site: www.burrowsbotanicals.org Florilegium Society at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Education Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Certificate of Art, Prahran Technical College, Melbourne, Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne 1965 Artwork Media B.A., Art and Graphic Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Watercolor, graphite pencil Technology, Melbourne, 1967 Trained Technical Teachers’ Certificate, Technical Teachers’ Group Exhibitions College, Melbourne, 1968 Botanicals, Papillion Gallery Glenferrie, Malvern, 1995 Graduate Diploma, Graphic Communication Education, [Exhibition catalogue] Hawthorn Institute of Education, Melbourne, 1993 Decorator Show House, Sotheby’s Melbourne, Melbourne, 1996 Master of Educational Studies, Monash University, [Exhibition catalogue] Melbourne, 1995 Botanicals, Catanach’s Fine Art Gallery, Melbourne, 1998 Courses with Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Illustration [Exhibition catalogue] Group, 1996 The Art of Botanical Illustration, 4th–10th Biennial Exhibition Botanical Art School of Melbourne, South Yarra, 1998 Presented by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Master classes with Anne-Marie Evans, 1999 Melbourne, National Herbarium of Victoria, South Yarra, 1998–2014 [Exhibition catalogue] Career
    [Show full text]
  • Victorian Historical Journal
    VICTORIAN HISTORICAL JOURNAL VOLUME 90, NUMBER 2, DECEMBER 2019 ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA VICTORIAN HISTORICAL JOURNAL ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA The Victorian Historical Journal has been published continuously by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria since 1911. It is a double-blind refereed journal issuing original and previously unpublished scholarly articles on Victorian history, or occasionally on Australian history where it illuminates Victorian history. It is published twice yearly by the Publications Committee; overseen by an Editorial Board; and indexed by Scopus and the Web of Science. It is available in digital and hard copy. https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/publications/victorian-historical-journal/. The Victorian Historical Journal is a part of RHSV membership: https://www. historyvictoria.org.au/membership/become-a-member/ EDITORS Richard Broome and Judith Smart EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE VICTORIAN HISTORICAL JOURNAL Emeritus Professor Graeme Davison AO, FAHA, FASSA, FFAHA, Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor, Monash University (Chair) https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/graeme-davison Emeritus Professor Richard Broome, FAHA, FRHSV, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University and President of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria Co-editor Victorian Historical Journal https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/display/rlbroome Associate Professor Kat Ellinghaus, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/display/kellinghaus Professor Katie Holmes, FASSA, Director, Centre for the Study of the Inland, La Trobe University https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/display/kbholmes Professor Emerita Marian Quartly, FFAHS, Monash University https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/marian-quartly Professor Andrew May, Department of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne https://www.findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/display/person13351 Emeritus Professor John Rickard, FAHA, FRHSV, Monash University https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/john-rickard Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • MEDIA RELEASE for Immediate Release
    MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release 23 January 2017 Alpine Resorts Governance Reform Discussion paper On the 1st January 2017, the Southern Alpine Resort Management Board became the committee of management for both Lake Mountain and Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resorts replacing the previous individual boards. Today the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio released a Discussion Paper: Alpine Resorts Governance Reform in which the paper outlines the approach to improving the governance of the alpine sector. The paper and links to key documents are available on Engage Victoria’s website: https://engage.vic.gov.au/alpine-resort- futures/governance Importantly to note, this reform process is an element of a wider sectoral reform program, including the Southern Alpine Resorts Reform Project. Government has been provided with the initial project report for Mount Baw Baw and Lake Mountain 2030 in late 2016 and has requested additional work from the Southern Alpine Resort Management Board that is due to be submitted by 10 February for consideration by the Minister. The government has informed the board that it is committed to making decisions about Lake Mountain and Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resorts as soon as practicable after receiving this supplementary report. The board has considered and discussed the Discussion Paper and intends to develop a formal written submission which it is committed to lodging by the closing date 17 February, 2017. The board invites you to consider the governance reform Discussion Paper and encourage stakeholders the opportunity to either submit a response to the questions in the discussion paper on the Engage Victoria website or to the board.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Alps Education Kit – Teacher's Notes
    teacher’s notes for THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS The Australian Alps, in all their richness, complexity and power to engage, are presented here as a resource for secondary students and their teachers who are studying... • Aboriginal Studies • Geography • Australian History • Biology • Tourism • Outdoor and Environmental Science ...with resources grouped within a series of facts sheets on soils, climate, vegetation, fauna, fire, Aboriginal people, mining, grazing, water catchment recreation and tourism, conservation. EDUCATION RESOURCE TEACHER’S NOTES 1/7 teacher’s notes This is an education resource catering for the curriculum needs of students at Year 7 through 12, across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. The following snap- shots show the Australian Alps as an effective focus for study. • The alpine and sub-alpine terrain in Australia is extremely small, unique and highly valued as a water supply as well as for its environmental, cultural, historic and recrea- tional significance. • Most of the Australian Alps lie within national parks with state and federal governments working cooperatively to manage these reserves as one bio-geographical area. • Climate, landforms and soils vary as altitude increases and so create a variety of envi- ronments where different plants grow together in communities. These in turn provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife. Many of these plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world and some are considered threatened or endangered. • The Alps reflect a history of diverse uses and connections including Aboriginal occupation, European exploration, grazing, mining, timber saw milling, water harvesting, conservation, recreation and tourism. Retaining links with this past is an important part of managing the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Victorian Alps Impacts Evidence, Process and Progress for Feral Horse Control in the Victorian Alps
    1.6 VICTORIAN ALPS IMPACTS EVIDENCE, PROCESS AND PROGRESS FOR FERAL HORSE CONTROL IN THE VICTORIAN ALPS Dr Mark Norman Chief Conservation Scientist, Parks Victoria Representing just 0.3% of the Australian mainland, Australia’s alpine ecosystems are both rare and unique. Today, they endure a wide range of human-derived pressures, from diverse invasive species, to impacts of recreational activities, infrastructure development and the many manifestations of climate change. Over the past two years, Parks Victoria and the Victorian State Government have been developing the Protection of the Alpine National Park – Feral Horse Action Plan 2018–2021 (adopted June 2018). This presentation will review some of the history of Victorian feral horse research and management, and the evidence underpinning this plan. It will also discuss the social and political context and issues, the process by which the plan was developed, the proposed approach and the ongoing challenges. Feral horses are present in two separate Victorian alpine regions: the eastern Alps adjacent to Kosciuszko National Park (about 2,500 horses based on 2014 aerial survey); and the more isolated Bogong High Plains (estimated 106 horses, 2018 aerial survey). Victoria has a long history of alpine ecological research and active management of feral horses. Australia’s second longest-running ecological monitoring site was established in 1944 by botanist Maisie Carr at Pretty Valley in the Bogong High Plains (Carr and Turner 1959a, 1959b). Exclosure plots and impact assessments of domestic stock at this and nearby sites led to the total removal of sheep and horses from the Bogong High Plains in 1946.
    [Show full text]
  • And Hinterland LANDSCAPE PRIORITY AREA
    GIPPSLAND LAKES and Hinterland LANDSCAPE PRIORITY AREA Photo: The Perry River 31 GIPPSLAND LAKES AND HINTERLAND Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland AQUIFER ASSET VALUES, CONDITION AND KEY THREATS Figure 25: Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland Landscape Priority Area Aquifer Asset Shallow Aquifer The Shallow Alluvial aquifer includes the Denison and Wa De Lock Groundwater Management Areas. It has high Figure 24: Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland Landscape connectivity to surface water systems including the provision Priority Area location of base flow to rivers, such as the Avon, Thomson and Macalister. The aquifer contributes to the condition of other Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems including wetlands, The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape priority area estuarine environments and terrestrial flora. The aquifer is characterised by the iconic Gippsland Lakes and wetlands is also a very important resource for domestic, livestock, Ramsar site. The Gippsland Lakes is of high social, economic, irrigation and urban (Briagolong) water supply. The shallow environmental and cultural value and is a major drawcard aquifer of the Avon, Thomson, Macalister and lower Latrobe for tourists. A number of major Gippsland rivers (Latrobe, catchments is naturally variable in quality and yield. In many Thomson, Macalister, Avon and Perry) all drain through areas the aquifer contains large volumes of high quality floodplains to Lake Wellington and ultimately the Southern (fresh) groundwater, whereas elsewhere the aquifer can be Ocean, with the Perry River being one of the few waterways naturally high in salinity levels. Watertable levels in some in Victoria to have an intact chain of ponds geomorphology. areas have been elevated due to land clearing and irrigation The EPBC Act listed Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland recharge.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Impact
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ResearchOnline at James Cook University THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF TOURISM IN THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS By Trevor Mules, Pam Faulks, Natalie Stoeckl and Michele Cegielski ECONOMIC VALUES OF TOURISM IN THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS TECHNICAL REPORTS The technical report series present data and its analysis, meta-studies and conceptual studies, and are considered to be of value to industry, government and researchers. Unlike the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre’s Monograph series, these reports have not been subjected to an external peer review process. As such, the scientific accuracy and merit of the research reported here is the responsibility of the authors, who should be contacted for clarification of any content. Author contact details are at the back of this report. EDITORS Prof Chris Cooper University of Queensland Editor-in-Chief Prof Terry De Lacy Sustainable Tourism CRC Chief Executive Prof Leo Jago Sustainable Tourism CRC Director of Research National Library of Australia Cataloguing in Publication Data Economic values of tourism in the Australian alps. Bibliography. ISBN 1 920704 20 5. 1. Tourism - Economic aspects - New South Wales. 2. Tourism - Economic aspects - Victoria. 3. Tourism - Economic aspects - Australian Capital Territory. 4. National parks and reserves - Economic aspects - Australian Alps (N.S.W. and Vic.). 5. National parks and reserves - Economic aspects - Australian Capital Territory - Namadgi. I. Mules, T. J. (Trevor J.). 338.47919447 Copyright © CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd 2005 All rights reserved. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Stirling Alpine Link
    Stirling Alpine Link A vision to link Mt Stirling with the Alpine National Park t Stirling is a unique natural landscape with dramatic vistas Mof Victoria’s alpine area. Adjacent to Mt Buller it is popular with cross-country skiers, bushwalkers, campers and school groups, it is also home to many threatened plant and animal species. The Victorian National Parks Association has launched a push for the Mt Stirling area to be managed as a national park by linking it to the Alpine National Park and handing its management to Parks Victoria. It can then be managed as an integral part of Victoria’s largest national park, improving ecological management, recreation experiences and the overall integrity of our alpine region. INSIDE • Connecting Mt Stirling to the • Waterways .................................................................... 3 Alpine National Park ................................................. 2 • Logging activity ........................................................... 3 •Home for threatened species ............................... 2 • What you can do ........................................................ 4 A cross-country skier admires the view from the top of Howqua Gap Track. Connecting Mt Stirling to the Alpine National Park bout 2500ha of spectacular alpine country around Mt Stirling (1749m) is currently managed Aby the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board. Over the years, the natural values of Mt Stirling and surrounding state forest have been damaged by logging, fires, cattle grazing and recreational vehicles, and threatened by proposals for inappropriate commercial developments, such as ski lifts in the 1990s. Mt Stirling has never fitted the economic model of an Alpine Resort. A 2008 review of Alpine Resort areas by the State Services Authority (SSA), the body Skiers congregrate around the Stirling Mountain Centre in a photo taken in 1995.
    [Show full text]
  • Grazing and the Australian Alps Factsheet
    grazing in THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS Grazing once took place in many different parts of the Australian Alps, the number of sheep or cattle in an area depending on climate, terrain and the amount of food available. On the highest mountain plateaus there were permanent freehold runs where seasonal grazing of sheep and cattle took place. At lower elevations pastures were also grazed but, in summer, when these areas became dry and sparse, the high plains offered cooler temperatures and higher rainfall supporting lush native grasses and herbs. These alpine areas also provided a precious food supply for sheep and cattle in times of drought. Records show that graziers were taking sheep and cattle into and across the mountains in the early 1820s in search of new pastures which were free of drought and disease. An 1834 newspaper report mentioned cattle at Gibson’s Plains (Kiandra) and some families claim that their forebears were in the area in the 1820s. EDUCATION RESOURCE GRAZING 1/6 grazing Some graziers came to depend on public land for summer grazing. In the first half of the 1900s it was a common practice to burn to encourage new growth of grass shoots. As a result, frequent burning became an important part of grazing in many parts of the high country, particularly where sheep were grazed. In the early days governments encouraged graziers to use the high country to feed their the history cattle and sheep, with sheep being grazed much more extensively in NSW than in Victoria. of high country Governments in Victoria and New South Wales introduced a system of annual licences, grazing giving graziers the right to graze an area of alpine pasture.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation and the Australian Alps Factsheet
    Long ago the Creator made the land, the CONSERVATION people and the natu- ral resources for the people to use. Spirit IN THE AUSTRALIAN ancestors traveled the land and left behind AUSTRALIANALPS ALPS reminders of where they had been, whom they had met and what they had been doing in the form of plants, animals and landforms. There are stories, songs, dances and ceremonies as- sociated with these places, plants and animals. When we see the stars, moun- tains, rivers, hills, plants and animals we remember the stories of the journeys and we know how to live in this country. This is our culture. text: Rod Mason illustration: Jim Williams Conservation refers to the protection, preservation and careful management of the natural Conservation: or cultural environment. This includes the preservation of specific sites or works of art, as a definition well as specific species or areas of country. However, conservation has a different meaning for different people, thus making the management of conservation often complex and controversial. Many of the conservation issues of the Australian Alps reflect these difficulties. For the person who enjoys wilder- ness, conservation is the reservation of large, unspoilt tracts of land. For the scientist, it is the preservation and understanding of ecosystems and the protection of species found there. For bushwalkers and other outdoor recreationists it is conserving natural places that provide opportunities and challenges including mountains to climb, rivers to raft or slopes to ski. For the town planner, it is the protection of natural areas for practical reasons such as water catchment in the Australian Alps.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change and Snow Tourism in Australia Urs König 147
    Climate Change and Snow Tourism in Australia Urs König 147 Climate Change and Snow Tourism in Australia Urs König, Sydney The lack of climate change impact research on socio- economic Systems in general and the tourism industry in particular may be explained by the complexity and 1 Introduction unpredictable nature of these Systems. Unlike in the field of climate change impact research on biophysical be The theory that greenhouse gas increases could cause Systems, where many non-climate factors can held global warming has been recognised in the scientific constant in order to Single out the impacts of climate world for about a Century. It was, however, only in the change, the nature of socioeconomic Systems precludes 1980s that the scientific debate over future climate such analysis (see Timmermann 1989). In the case of change due to an enhanced greenhouse effect became tourism, changing non-climatic factors such as leisure intensive. Since the mid 1980s there has been an escala- trends, tourism policies or the world economy make tion in publications on climate change and considerable projeetions of the impacts of climate change on the in¬ progress has been achieved in our understanding of im¬ dustry very difficult. pacts from an increasing greenhouse gas concentration on global climate. Despite many remaining uncertain¬ Most of the climate change impact research on tourism ties, the most recent research on climate change due to to date has investigated impacts on the ski industry (e.g. an enhanced greenhouse effect undertaken by the Inter¬ Lamothe & Periard Consultants 1987; Österrei¬ governmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) tends to chische Akademie der Wissenschaften 1993, Wall Support the theory that the Earth's climate is changing 1993, Abegg 1996).
    [Show full text]
  • Alpine National Park
    For further information Around Mount Bogong Tour guides Parks Victoria (Not shown on map) A number of licenced tour operators run tours Information Centre At 1986 metres, Mt Bogong is the highest peak in (four wheel driving, bushwalking, horseriding and Alpine National Park Call 13 1963 Victoria. Climbing Mt Bogong is strenuous and a rafting) in this area. Contact Tourism Alliance or visit our website at high level of fitness is required. You must also be Victoria for details on (03) 9650 8399 or visit their www.parks.vic.gov.au prepared for sudden unexpected weather website www.tourismalliance.com.au Parks Victoria Offices at changes, including snow, even in mid summer. Bright and Mt Beauty Phone Take care! The High Country - walks around Bogong High 13 1963 Staircase All visitors, especially walkers, should realise that (16 km, one hard day return) weather conditions can change rapidly in alpine Plains and Mountain Creek Caring for the The track to the summit begins at the Mountain areas. Snowfalls can be experienced at any time environment Walking is one of the best ways to discover the variety and beauty of the alpine environment. Creek Picnic Area and follows a vehicle track to of the year and water can be extremely scarce, so Help us look after your park the foot of the Staircase Spur, where the ascent always be prepared with: The day walks described in this leaflet are just a selection from many possibilities. The by following these guidelines: begins through a forest of Peppermint Gums. • warm clothing walking season lasts from early November until late May as the area is usually snow covered All native plants, animals, Bivouac Hut, about halfway along the climb, offers • archaeological and historic a welcome resting place before the track passes wind and waterproof jacket during winter and early spring.
    [Show full text]