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Mountain Journal

Environment, news, culture from the Australian Alps

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Cam Walker

I work with Friends of the Earth, and live in Castlemaine in Central Victoria, Australia. Activist, mountain enthusiast, telemark skier, volunteer firefighter.

Audax Alpine Classic

The Audax Alpine Classic is a series of road rides to a number of locations in the Alps.

In 2016 it will be held on Sunday 24 January.

This is a huge event. There are a range of rides, including the 320 kilometre ‘Ultimate’. It is billed as the “longest, toughest, single day Alpine road ride in Australia”. This is an extremely hard ride, going over 4 of the “7 Peaks” in one day, leaving Bright for Mt Buffalo, then doing a huge circuit from Bright to Mount Hotham, then Omeo, Anglers Rest and over the Bogong High Plains to Falls Creek and back to Bright.

There are also a number of shorter rides (60 and 70 kilometres). All rides start at Bright.

There is an ‘early bird’ special if you register before January 8.

For full details, please check here.

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Bike packing

If you drive up any of the sealed roads into the mountains outside of winter, you will be aware of the incredible surge of interest in road riding in the Alps. From the Seven Peaks concept (ride up the seven key roads at your own pace during ‘riding season’) to events like the Tour of Bright (which has two substantial hill climb stages including the road to Hotham), road riding is huge.

Mountain bike riding is equally a wildly popular pastime, with Mt Buller in particular being an early adopter in terms of putting in infrastructure. The riding is great, and a growing number of other resorts are seeking to increase tourist visitation through developing infrastructure like single track networks.

Continue reading “Bike packing” →

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Patchy start to northern winter

As snow falls in Japan and the western half of North America, other regions haven’t been so lucky. Substantial snow is yet to arrive across much of Europe, and the situation isn’t much better in the north east of the USA.

As this story by Camila Domonoske from NPR shows, the lack of snow has an economic impact, as well as causing misery for skiers and riders.

Continue reading “Patchy start to northern winter” →

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Have a great summer

OK. So its fairly unlikely we’ll be seeing too much powder over Christmas/ new years, at least if you’re staying close to home (and as for all my friends who are already skiing/riding in places like Japan, I’m totally not jealous. Much).

Hope that, wherever you are, you have an awesome, safe and adventurous time over summer (and remember, getting out into nature is good for you and good for your community).

Might see you out on the trails if you’re in the VIC Alps. Regards, Cam.

Thanks to Protect Our Winters for this image.

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Australian Alps Book: Kosciuszko, Alpine and Namadgi National Parks

By Deirdre Slattery, published December 2015

The following comes from the Australian Alps website.

This new updated version of the original book published in 1998 is a must for students, agency staff, alpine history buffs, adventurers, naturalists and anyone one who has a love and passion for the Australian Alps. 

A fascinating guide to Kosciuszko, Alpine and Namadgi National Parks, it introduces the reader to Australia’s highest mountains, their climate, geology and soils, plants and animals and their human history. It traces the long-running conflicts between successive users of the mountains and explores the difficulties in managing the land for nature conservation. Published by CSIRO, copies of the book may be attained via the web-link at  http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7282.htm

A review of the book can be found here.

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‘Wanderlust’ festival, Thredbo

Wanderlust events are gatherings that bring together yoga and meditation, music, artists, and chefs (with a focus on local and sustainable foods) for a ‘transformational retreat’ in a beautiful location. It will also feature a range of outdoor activities like riding, running and hikes. Generally there is a Speakeasy – a series of lectures on a range of topics. Xavier Rudd is preforming on February 20.

There will be a Wanderlust event at Thredbo, described as being ‘a 4-day celebration of mindful living’ from 18 – 21 February.

For further details on the program and cost, check here.

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GECO halts illegal VicForests logging operation

Conservationists from Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO) have halted logging operations in high conservation value forest on the St Patrick’s River in East Gippsland today due to multiple breaches of the law.

A person is positioned in a tree platform 30m off the ground. The platform is tied off to logging machinery which is preventing logging operations from continuing.

GECO believes the logging is illegal.  VicForests has failed to carry out necessary pre logging surveys for threatened wildlife, which it is legally obligated to do. Logging has also illegally impacted upon a large stand of protected rainforest.

 

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“The Minister was alerted to these breaches last week but as logging continues we’ve taken direct action to prevent further destruction of wildlife habitat and rainforest,’ said Ed Hill.

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Photo: Logging has illegally encroached on protected rainforest

Three threatened/protected species have been recorded close to the area; Yellow-bellied Glider, Sooty Owl and the endangered Long-footed Potoroo.  The forest is also rich in old trees with hollows – an indication that other rare and protected wildlife could be supported in this forest,” said Ed Hill.

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Photo: Hollow bearing habitat tree, likely to support threatened species. 

“Many stands of forest with high quality habitat for threatened wildlife are listed by VicForests as being currently logged or about to be logged and appear to have no surveys associated with them.  These may also be illegal operations.”

“After a controversial rainforest logging operation was exposed by GECO earlier this year, Environment Minister Lisa Neville MP ordered her department to conduct ‘spot checks’ on VicForests’ logging operations in rainforest areas.  This should have ensured rainforests are protected”, said Ed Hill

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“Instead we see repeated and blatant contempt of clearly worded laws which should see VicForests charged, as any of us would be for destruction of protected rainforest,” said Ed Hill.

“As the Minister responsible Lisa Neville must act to immediately halt the logging in this coupe and order a full investigation into the suitability of VicForests as a manager of public property,” said Ed Hill.

High resolution images and video available from 10am

For comment contact Ed Hill: (03) 5154 0109 or 0414199645

email: geco.media@gmail.com ,  website: www.geco.org.au

Continue reading “GECO halts illegal VicForests logging operation” →

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‘Out there in the Mountains’: questions of user pays, access and equity

The following comes from Chris Harrington.

A survey is currently being conducted Mount Buller/ Mt Stirling resort management, canvassing the idea of introducing a summer resort entry fee. A recent article in the local press notes that the “Mount Buller/ Mount Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board (ARMB) has confirmed it will not be charging a summer gate entry for the 2015/2016. However, the survey being conducted is investigating resort visitation, visitor patterns and habits with the intent of considering potential summer revenue streams” (Mansfield Courier 9/12/2015). The article also notes some opposition, and some support for the introduction of summer access fees.

Continue reading “‘Out there in the Mountains’: questions of user pays, access and equity” →

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I Am Pro Snow

Like Protect Our Winters, I Am Pro Snow is seeking to mobilise people in the snow sports community to be active in reducing climate change. It is an initiative of the Climate Reality Project. They have been represented at the recent climate change negotiations in Paris, and have a range of ‘snow ambassadors’ who advocate for action in various forums.

It does seem a bit fluffy – focusing on awareness raising rather than hard asks – and light on in terms of providing suggestions about tangible actions that people can take. But at this point we need all hands on deck when it comes to finding solutions to the merging climate crisis, so all power to them.

Continue reading “I Am Pro Snow” →

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The case for a Great Forest National Park

The Great Forest National Park will deliver a secure future for endangered species, has huge potential to safeguard against climate change, and will protect domestic and rural water catchments, a new report shows.

In early December, an alliance of Forest conservation groups have released a report outlining the planning and analysis behind the Great Forest National Park proposal.

Continue reading “The case for a Great Forest National Park” →

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International Mountain Day 2015

December 11 is designated by the UN as International Mountain Day.

Here’s a few facts from the UN:

“Covering around 22 percent of the earth’s land surface, mountains play a critical role in moving the world towards sustainable economic growth. They not only provide sustenance and wellbeing to 915 million mountain people around the world, representing 13 percent of global population, but indirectly benefit billions more living downstream”.

Where ever you are, I hope you’re out in the hills and having a great day. Please feel free to post some pics of your favourite mountains on our facebook page.

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Vale Roger Good

Roger Good was a well known, deeply dedicated alpine ecologist. He passed away in October. He was a member of the Carruthers Group – a group of eminent alpine ecologists and scientists – which was active around the issue of alpine grazing.

Continue reading “Vale Roger Good” →

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