CANBERRA CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLUB, INC

SPECIAL

POINTS OF IN- 2018, ISSUE 6 10TH OCTOBER 2018 TEREST:

October Lodge -0 Weekend — 20-21 President’s Piece October 2018 — Page 3 For the first time in months it’s not all over yet. We have plore the highest peaks with the heater is turned off at our popular October lodge long days and warmer home and I haven’t had to weekend on 19-21 October weather. Check out the tour INSIDE THIS put on a jacket when pop- and with a lot of snow lin- program for some spring ping outside for lunch. gering up high it is sure to be fun. ISSUE: Spring is definitely here and a good one. There are still

Ski and Snow Pho- 2 summer is not far behind. It vacancies so check this The club’s annual general tos has been a great ski season newsletter and the club meeting was held on 26 Sep- and I’m sure many of us will website for details. Late tember. October Lodge 3 be sad to see it go. However, spring is a great time to ex- Weekend Trip Report – Tate 4-5 West Ridge – Sat- urday 22 Septem- ber 2018

Trip Report—Dead 6-7 Horse Gap to —23 September 2018

Trip Report— 8-9 Charlotte Pass – – The Racecourse – — Thursday 20 Sep- tember 2018 Gale Funston, Margaret Baz, Alan Levy, Bill Stanhope, David Drohan and Claire Sim. We have just Ski and Snow Pho- 10 finished lunch and are about to head down, back to Dead Horse Gap. On a CCCSC tour from Dead tos (cont’d) Horse Gap to Rams Head, 23/9/2018.

Ski Tour Grading 11 Photographer: Ken Moylan

Ski Tour Program 12 2018

Club Committee 14 2018 Membership Subscriptions Contacts Membership Subscriptions for the 2018 season are now due, and can be paid on Reg- ister Now or via the Club website. November Newsletter Deadline

Deadline for articles for the November 2018 Off-Piste is 2nd November 2018. PAGE 2 President’s Piece (cont’d)

I had the honour of being over the last few years, and sev- coordinator. Please contact me elected President for a third eral members have commented or another committee member term (also my final term accord- to me on how much they enjoy if you are interested in any of ing to the club’s constitution). reading it. Thanks Tony! Alan these roles. Most of last year’s committee Levy will take over as newsletter have also renominated, with editor and Ken Moylan joins the Enjoy what’s left of the skiing! some minor changes. Our News- committee as the new touring letter editor, Tony Brown, is coordinator. We still have a few leaving the committee and will vacancies on the committee – Jo-Anne Clancy be missed. He has produced a vice president, social meetings President very high calibre newsletter coordinator and training/lessons

Ski and Snow Photos

Snowgum near the Paralyser Gap, with Betts Creek valley in the distance. 21 Sept 2018.

Photographer: Alan Levy

Alan Levy, Bill Stanhope, John Gi- acon and Penny Rossiter on the way to Four Mile Hut, 4/8/2018.

Photographer: Tony Brown 2018, ISSUE 6 PAGE 3

October Lodge Weekend

We were recently advised by Rates, Availability, Make booking, then payment the Southern Alps Ski Club that a Booking’ page. can be made. their lodge at Charlotte Pass will now be closed during Octo-  Click on the ‘Online BPay is the preferred and easiest ber and November for mainte- Form’ button in the payment method. Payment by nance/remedial work. We have ‘Make a Booking’ section. credit card and cheque is also therefore had to change the available but requires the form to venue for the lodge weekend  At the bottom middle of be printed put and posted to the and have arranged alternate the Booking Form Cover booking officer. accommodation in Charlotte Sheet, you will need to Pass at the Pygmy Possum Ski quote our four digit Closer to the date a room alloca- Lodge, which is located close to Booking Id number, tion sheet will be provided show- the Southern Alps lodge. which is 2392. (This ing who will be in each room. Booking Id number links Further details of the lodge can The Pygmy Possum lodge is all our bookings together be found at the following page: owned by the Elouera Ski Club for our group and en- http:// and holds up to 54 people. ables the organiser to see www.eloueraskiclub.asn.au/ Most rooms are for two people who is coming along and lodges/PygmyPossum/facilities/ (two singles or one double) but to help assign the there are four rooms containing rooms). This is always a popular weekend, 3 or 4 beds. As non-members, with Club ski tours held around we can stay at this lodge by  In the Booking Form, if Charlotte Pass or on the Main booking in as a Guest. The cost staying two nights select Range on the Saturday and Sun- for a Guest (non-member of the ‘19 Oct 18’ for arrival day. At present there is a deep Elouera Ski Club) is $60 per date and ’21 Oct 18’ for cover of snow on the Main Range, night for an adult and $27 for a departure date, select so there should be good skiing child. People who have already the bed choice (Single, during October. People will need booked for the lodge weekend Double, Queen), Privilege to bring along food, linen and at the Southern Alps lodge on Level = Guest, and Single towels for the weekend. The in- Register Now will be reim- Supplement = No, for tention is to have a community bursed and will need to rebook each person. dinner on the Saturday evening again as per below. where people bring along an en- tree, main course or dessert to  Preview the completed The Club can’t do a bulk book- share with others. ing so anyone intending to Form, which now shows come along to our lodge week- the cost, and if happy, This information is also available end at Pygmy Possum Lodge press Submit. on the Events page of the club's will need to make their own website. bookings directly via the  After submitting the Elouera Ski Club website http:// completed form, the next www.eloueraskiclub.asn.au page (Booking Form Web Response) will show the Some helpful hints for making a BPay details near the booking: bottom of the page. The details on this page will  Select the ‘Pygmy Pos- also be sent to you by sum Ski Lodge’ drop email. down menu.  Once the Booking Officer  Select the ‘Booking receives the form and responds accepting the PAGE 4

Trip Report – Tate West Ridge – Saturday 22 September 2018

Eight of us (Tim Wright, Dave sumed food and drink. ever. Dave left us to explore Drohan, Melinda Brouwer, Ken the northern sections of Tate Moylan, Gale Funston, Robin From Guthega Trig we skied West Ridge before catching Collins, Bill Stanhope and my- along the top of the ridge up with us later on our return self) met at the carpark at which was exposed to the cold journey. Guthega at 9:20 am on the wind and had some grassy Saturday. The Main Range had patches which we had to walk We left about 2pm and re- a very good cover of snow for across. Once at the very top we traced our route back to Con- this time of the year. then had a good ski traversing sett Stephens Pass then fur- the slopes across to Consett ther east to the top of the From the carpark we skied Stephens Pass. Whilst here we Falls Creek gully. From here down the road to the dam caught up with Peter Ward, we had a long gradual descent wall, walked across the dam, John Sim, Claire Sim and Arnold down the ridge on soft, easy then put our skis on again to de Bras who were having lunch snow all the way back to the begin the long climb up the whilst on their way to Mt Tate dam wall, arriving at the bot- ridge to Guthega Trig. It was a and beyond. From Consett tom around 3:30pm. This de- sunny day but with some high Stephens Pass we dropped scent can be tricky at times if cloud and a cold wind. In the briefly into the Windy Creek the snow is icy or crusty but shelter of the ridge it was valley then headed further this was one of the quickest quite warm when climbing the west out to the end of Tate and easiest descents I have slopes. After 50 minutes of West Ridge, arriving around had here. To end the day we climbing we arrived at some 12:45pm. then had to ski up the road to rocks and bushes at the top of the carpark at Guthega. Six of the slope which provided a This is a very spectacular loca- us then stayed overnight at good place for morning tea. tion with views of Mt Tate, Mt Kalkite before doing Ken’s From here we had great views Twynam and Watsons Crags, tour the following day. A across to Perisher and Blue and Mt Bogong in in great trip, and a great week- Cow and further south along the distance. We spent about end of spring skiing. the valley towards one hour here having lunch, Kosciuszko. Robin and Melinda enjoying the views and practis- also couldn’t resist practising ing on the fantastic slopes of Alan Levy their turns on the slopes whilst the western faces which the rest of us rested and con- seemed to drop below us for-

Crossing the dam wall at Guthega before the climb up to Guthega Trig.

Photographer: Alan Levy 2018, ISSUE 6 PAGE 5

Trip Report – Tate West Ridge – Saturday 22 September 2018 (cont’d)

Bill Stanhope, Gale Funston, Dave Drohan, Melinda Brouwer and Robin Collins having lunch on Tate West Ridge.

Photographer: Alan Levy

Dave Drohan on Tate West Ridge, with Watsons Crags in the background.

Photographer: Alan Levy PAGE 6

Trip Report—Dead Horse Gap to Rams Head—23 September 2018

On Sunday, 23 September That, and the weariness of the going from glade to glade, try- 2018, Ken Moylan lead Alan tour leader (it was his third day ing to cope with the occasional Levy, Bill Stanhope, Claire Sim, in a row of hard skiing), roller coasters. David Drohan, Gale Funston, prompted the return. The snow Margaret Baz, and Melinda Claire suggested we follow the It was surprisingly deep for a Brouwer on a ski tour from walking track that goes down tour in late September. Dead Horse Gap to Rams Head the ridge on the Eastern side of Peak and back. Bogong Creek and ends at the lower carpark. Route Worst Bits Starting at the upper car park at It was a lot of fun, skiing The weather coming in and Dead Horse Gap, we climbed through glades and roller coast- straight up through the thick ers. clouding the surrounding high points timber, roughly North East, (The last 50m vertical shall not picking our way as best we be mentioned.) This concern about the cloud could. Finally, we stopped just short of lowering and making every- Skins came off when the way the , where the thing very white worried the through the trees became eas- snow ran out. leader enough to put off reach- ier. ing North Rams Head for a safer day. Near the tree-line, we veered Best Bits right, roughly North, until we reached a flat below Rams The views Wax of the Day Head. We could see snow on the Victo- Most of the party used skins for Along the way, a tempting hill the first part of the climb, presented itself and we had a rian peaks, including Mt Bogong roughly 200m. little play on it. and the high plains near Falls Swix Nero Klister worked well Surprisingly, there was still Creek. The valleys of Leather all day, from the base to the enough snow to climb & ski Barrel Creek and upper Thredbo top and back down. along the Western side of a River clearly showed them- knoll to get to the Rams Head. selves. At times the skis felt a bit grabby, but all members of the We bagged the peak and The run down the Bogong Creek party felt the same, so it must lunched in the shelter of a walking trail have been the snow. nearby rock. The snow was easy and forgiving Clouds were coming in and visi- enough for us to hoon down, bility was going out. Ken Moylan

Claire Sim paralleling down the hill.

Photographer: Ken Moylan

OFF PISTE 2018, ISSUE 6 PAGE 7

Trip Report—Dead Horse Gap to Rams Head—23 September 2018 (cont’d)

Alan Levy, Bill Stanhope and Melinda Brouwer.

After completing the hardest part of the climb up from Dead Horse Gap.

Photographer: Ken Moy- lan

Melinda Brouwer tele- marking down the hill.

Photographer: Ken Moylan

Bill Stanhope telemark- ing down the hill.

Photographer: Ken Moy- lan PAGE 8

Trip Report—Charlotte Pass – Mount Townsend – The Racecourse – Lake Albina—Thursday 20 September 2018

Participants: Stephen Davies selves crossing a very hard re- you can only dream, our reality (Photos, Report), Sue Davies frozen surface which in places today was different as the drop and 22 others! barely managed to take an edge. in temperature had already A slip here would have resulted taken effect in starting to Today a mixed ability group in in a long painful slide and at freeze the surface snow. This excess of twenty people, led least a few bumps and bruises. resulted in another challenging again by Colin Ridley, set out in Fortunately, not everyone fol- descent, the only real winners an attempt to summit Mount lowed this route but descended being the elements and Townsend. Along with our NSW from Muellers Pass and climbed Stephen on his AT gear. Nordic Ski Club group we had more directly up Mount Town- visitors from Victoria, South send from lower in the valley. Once down to the creek were and Queensland. Sue Approaching Mount Townsend moved very quickly on the slip- and I left separately a couple of it was becoming colder and pery surface and in next to no minutes earlier, heading further cloudier so we continued to the time were on the pole line. up Kosciuszko Road than the summit without delay. After Back near Foreman’s ruin I left main group to take some pano- enjoying the views and taking the group and headed the ramas of the Main Range. more photos we were back off Snowy River a short distance After traversing the resort’s the summit for a quick sit down for a look before crossing a downhill runs Sue and I fol- and munch on a sandwich. snow bridge and climbing to lowed the route of Kosciusko Charlotte Pass. Another short As we were getting cold we col- Road several kilometres past climb from here had me at the lected Stephen Poole, Margaret where the main group departed top of Pulpit T-Bar for a great and Helen before heading east towards the Snowy River. Along final run back to the lodge on to look at our options down the way we enjoyed the cool the groomed slopes. towards Lake Albina. We cer- clear air, bright blue skies and tainly noted how cold it had fantastic panoramas to our The rest of the main group re- become, as the snow was re- west. Heading “off track” be- turned by a couple of different freezing below our skis as we fore Etheridge Ridge towards routes. Some descended via went. After a little deliberation Muellers Pass presented us The Racecourse before follow- we opted on The Racecourse with a fantastic panorama of ing Lady Northcotes Creek di- down to Lake Albina. We all en- Muellers Peak and Mount rectly upon to pass at its head joyed a great run, even if we Clarke with all of our main and returning vis the Snowy were quite tentative with many group snaking their way to- River. The main party returned of our telemarks due to the wards a morning tea break be- via the same route they had patchiness of the snow refreeze. low Muellers Pass. come. I believe everyone ended reaching the summit of Mount After a short break Sue and I After our climb up to Northcote Townsend and those had tried were off again up Muellers Pass Pass we mutually agreed that and failed in previous years where the snow was softening the planned Mount Northcote, were very satisfied with their nicely, it was oh so tempting to Mount Clarke ridge route home day and thankful to Colin for his take a run back down but we would be abandoned. Consider- encouragement and support. A pressed on. Deciding to try to ing the cold wind and hard cover very satisfying and a times chal- conserve energy doesn’t always we favoured getting a great ski lenging day was had by all. work as planned! In traversing down into the valley towards the south slopes of Muellers Club Lake Creek in the morning Peak in an effort to avoid loos- sun softened north-east face of Ken Moylan ing height that we would have Mount Northcote. Such is life, to regain later, we found our-

OFF PISTE PAGE 9

Trip Report—Charlotte Pass – Mount Townsend – The Racecourse – Lake Albina—Thursday 20 September 2018 (cont’d)

View north from Mount Town- send.

Photographer: Stephen Davies

Sue Davies skiing down the racecourse.

Photographer: Stephen Davies

OFF PISTE PAGE 10 Trip Report – Four Mile Hut - Saturday 4 August 2018 Ski and Snow Photos (cont’d)

Alan Levy, Bill Stanhope, Penny Rossiter and John Giacon taking a break for some lunch inside Four Mile Hut, 4 August 2018. Photographer: Tony Brown

Sunset at South Ramshead on 17 August 2018. Photographer: Tony Brown

Just some rocks between South Ramshead and Bogong Creek. 12 August 2018. Pho- tographer: Tony Brown

Hard life for a snow gum, covered in ice and snow on a ridge between South Ram- shead and Bogong Creek. 12 August 2018. Photographer: Tony Brown

OFF PISTE PAGE 11

Ski Tour Gradings

It is important that tour participants ensure that their abilities match the skill levels required by the tour – a description of the Terrain, Distance and Skill Level descriptors is provided below and under Ski Tour Grading on the club’s web-site.

TERRAIN

Rolling — Flat to gently rolling hills, no big hills to climb or descend. There may be some steep sections

but these will be short and easy to negotiate.

Hilly — Large rounded hills requiring several turns to descend but not technically difficult. There may be some steep sections but these will be short and easy to negotiate.

Steep — Steep skiable hills including black runs at resorts, cornices and chutes. Technically difficult slopes to descend.

DISTANCE Short — Under 8km/day and < 200m vertical climb. A moderate level of fitness is required.

Medium — 8km to 15km/day OR 200m to 600m vertical climb. A moderate level of fitness is required.

Long — Over 15km/day OR > 600m vertical climb. A high level of fitness is required.

SKILL LEVELS Basic — Can maintain control and perform the following skills on gentle terrain: kick turns, snow plough, side step, herring-bone, traverse and diagonal stride.

Intermediate — Can maintain control and perform the following skills on hilly terrain: kick turns, snow plough turns, step turns, side slip, side step, herringbone, traverse, diagonal stride and self arrest.

Advanced — Can maintain pace over long distances. Has intermediate skills plus able to link stem, paral- lel or telemark turns.

OFF PISTE 2018, ISSUE 6 PAGE 12 Ski Tour Program 2018

Date Tour Description Leader Additional tours will be advertised in future editions of Off-Piste, at the Social Meetings and on the web site. The web site will be updated with any new tours as soon as they are advised.

Thursday to A Week on Top (near ?) SD Thursday, 4 to Advanced Skills Hilly Terrain Medium Distance 11 October A snow camping / photographic / telemarking adventure on top of the Main Range, probably near based Mount Twynam.

Friday 12 to Main Range Camping SD Wednesday 24 Medium to Advanced Skills Hilly Terrain Medium Distance October Basecamp snow camping / touring / telemarking / photographic adven- ture anywhere on remaining snow in the Main Range area or beyond, sugges- tions welcome. An extremely flexible trip venturing into the mountains as conditions suit, oth- erwise car camping in Kosciuszko NP or staying at Christina Lodge in Thredbo if needed and available. I can send a map of my campsite location if you’d like to visit or join me for however long you like.

Saturday, Ramshead Plateau AL 13 October Basic-Intermediate Skills Rolling Terrain Medium Distance From Thredbo catch the chairlift to the top of Crackenback and head out to- wards Mt Kosciuszko and around the Ramshead Plateau. A fairly easy ski with great views of the Main Range.

Various dates Main Range Spring Campaign KM through Octo- Basic-Intermediate, Medium to Long, Rolling. ber & Novem- I want to run a series of day tours from Charlotte Pass to various destinations ber on the Main Range. They will start when the road to Charlotte Pass is open. Destinations include: * Little Austria & Lake Albina; * Rawson’s Pass & Snowy River (North Arm & South Arm); * Blue Lake; * Club Lake; * Watson’s Crags & The Sentinel. Please contact me if you are interested in any of these trips.

Friday 19th to Lodge Weekend at Charlotte Pass Sunday 21st October The Club will hold an end of season lodge weekend for members at Charlotte Pass in mid-October at the Pygmy Possum Lodge. Tours of various standards will be conducted on the Main Range or around Charlotte Pass on the week- end. Further details about the weekend and how to book in are provided else- where in this newsletter and on the Events page on the Club website.

Saturday, Mt Townsend Visit KM 3 November Intermediate Skills Rolling Terrain Long Distance From top of Thredbo, head past Mt Kosciuszko to stand atop Mt Townsend. Return via Wilkinson's Valley. This is the weekend of the Snowy Ride, so I expect that the chairlift will run later in the afternoon and we won’t have to walk down. 2018, ISSUE 6 PAGE 13

Snowy Hydro Snow Depth—6 October 2018

Business Name PO Box 6234, O’Connor ACT 2602 Fun and fitness in the snow Web: www.cccsc.asn.au Email: [email protected] Club Committee Contacts Position Name Email Phone

President Jo-Anne Clancy [email protected]

Vice President Ian Turland [email protected]

Secretary Greg Lawrence [email protected]

Treasurer Paul Room [email protected]

Membership Secretary Gale Funston / Niboddhri [email protected] Ward Tour Coordinator Alan Levy [email protected]

Kosciusko Tour Coordinator Rowan Christie [email protected]

Meeting Coordinator Vacant [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Tony Brown [email protected]

Webmaster Nick Reese [email protected]

Club Snow Camping Gear for hire The following gear which is owned by the Club is available for hire to Club members. These prices are cheap. The commercial hire charge for a 2-person tent is $45 per weekend. Tent (Macpac 3-4 person) -$20/weekend ; - $30/week Trangia stove - $3/weekend; - $5/week Club Safety Gear for use by Tour Leaders

The Club has four Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), two GPS units and some first aid kits which are available free of charge to members leading Club ski tours.

PLB (GME MT410G)

Contact Alan Levy, Jo-Anne Clancy, Bruce Porter or Lachlan Kennedy. GPS (Garmin ETrex Vista HcX)

Contact Alan Levy, Jo-Anne Clancy