For the second year, we have produced a print version of a magazine, based on content from the Mountain Journal website. In 2022, the magazine is a collaboration with Mandy Lamont of Lamont magazine. Distribution of magazines across mountain towns and resorts starts on June 7.

You can read a pdf version of the magazine here. 

MountainJournal-3

Look for print mags in your local resort, valley town or favourite mountain hut soon.

Introduction

While 2022 feels like our first ‘normal’ year since the pandemic started, the ‘new normal’ of climate change has become incredibly obvious over the past few years. After a horror summer over 2019/20, fires burnt in the northern hemisphere through their summer and into winter, with fire authorities in places like California warning that they no longer experience fire seasons, and that large fires can occur year round. In the 2021/22 southern summer, much of the east coast was hammered by terrible floods, and WA faced an awful fire season. Here in the south the mountains were green, although in lutruwita/ Tasmania a series of fires burnt in World Heritage Areas in the west of the state, sparked by lightning and flourishing in the dry conditions.

In early 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its updated report on the impacts of climate change on natural systems and people around the world. It contained dire warnings for Australia, highlighting the threats to our mountain forests, from Snow Gums and Alpine Ash to the Gondwanic remnants of ancient forests that are holding on in the high country of Tasmania.

2022 has been a year marked by awful conflict and violence, like Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. In the face of climate chaos, social conflict and war, it can be hard to hold on to hope. The first edition of Mountain Journal magazine focused on where we are, and profiled the aspirations of a number of First Nations with connections to the high country. We thought that with the second edition we’d focus on some of the many good people doing good things for the mountains and the human communities in and around the Australian Alps and lutruwita/ Tasmania. The core theme is Giving back to the mountains.

We hope it inspires you, reminds you of the basic goodness of people, and motivates you to get involved in looking after the mountains. And check the final story, about an epic packraft descent of the Dargo River for a bit of inspiration and a reminder of the wonderful landscapes that make up our Australian mountains.

CONTENTS

Introduction (see above)

Fire – updates on life in the Pyrocene

News from home – environmental updates from across the Alps, including an interview with Christa Treasure about logging on the Dargo High Plains and The Strange Land of 12 Mile Hill (available here).

Around the campfire. Some chats with mountain people: Giving back to the mountains (these stories are all available here).

  • The ski patroller – Peter Robinson
  • The groomer – Greg O’Donohue
  • Ecosystem restorers – Bev Lawrence and Aviya Naccarella, Martin Chalk, Phoebe Roberts
  • The researcher – Emma Elizabeth Sumner
  • The communicator – Jonica Newby
  • The community builder – Anne Chiew
  • The activist – Chris Schuringa
  • The firefighters – Terry Crisp and Chris Lewczynski
  • The guides – Mattie Gould, Jill Lyall, Dave and Pieta Herring
  • A company gives back – Bright Brewery

Mountain Culture – reviews of films (including the new Australian Ski Patrol Association backcountry safety film), magazines and details on events

Offtrack  – pack rafting the Dargo River (story available here).

Mountain Journal magazine

Editor: Cam Walker

Design: Mandy Lamont

Cover image: Karl Gray. Fire over Dinner Plain.

https://www.karlgray.com.au/

Thanks to Anne Chiew, Aviya Naccarella, Christa Treasure, Dan Broun, Karl Gray, every one at Mt Hotham Dinner Plain CFA, Kate Johnston at the Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association, Jean Symes, Jonica Newby, Karl Gray, Kelly van den Berg, Kim Willing (volunteer Services Manager at Wildcare Tasmania), Lachlan Short for images, Lisa Roberts for campaign advice, Mandy Lamont, Martin Chalk, Natalie Moxham, Peter Robinson, Ray Anderson, Sasha King, Simon Murray, Tabatha Badger, Tuffy Morwitzer.

Big thanks to Ellie Keft and Stephen Curtain for writing some of these stories.

In memory of my mum, Marion Beovich.

Mountain Journal

Edition 2. 2022.

E: Cam.walker@foe.org.au

W: https://themountainjournal.com

Insta: @cam_walker_foe

Facebook: @mountainjournal

BOX 69, Dinner Plain, 3898, Victoria, Australia

If you would like to contribute a story or images for the website or next year’s print edition, please get in touch.

All of Australia is indigenous land, and Mountain Journal acknowledges this fact.

The Australian Alps covers the traditional Country of the Bidawal, Monero-Ngarigo, Gunaikurnai, Jaithmathang, Taungurung, Mitambuta, Ngarigu-Currawong, Dhudhuroa, Waywurru, Wurundjeri and other peoples.