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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.

National parks need ‘at least one per cent of state expenditure’.

As the issue of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park demonstrates, winning protection of an area in a park is only the first bit of protecting wild places. They need adequate funding to allow land managers to protect their ecological values. This has been highlighted recently by the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA), who have pointed out the many threats to parks (weeds and pest animals such as deer, pigs, foxes and cats, and human visitation, plus climate change).

The Coalition cut funding for parks while they were in power in Victoria and while funding has increased under the current ALP government, the VNPA believes funding needs to double if parks are to be adequately managed.

Continue reading “National parks need ‘at least one per cent of state expenditure’.” →

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She Went Wild trip to Kosciuszko

She Went Wild intends to “inspire, educate and connect women to live adventurously in the outdoors” and does this through offering training and trips across many outdoor activities. They say “for too long, female adventurers have been underrepresented in the outdoors industry. She Went Wild journey started in an effort to overcome the barriers faced by women who want to spend more time out and about”.

Continue reading “She Went Wild trip to Kosciuszko” →

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The MSC ‘Slay Safe’ backcountry academy

Mountain Sports Collective will be running a series of FREE Introduction to Advanced Backcountry sessions this season. These events are for participants who are eager to step beyond the patrol lines and learn the skills required to pursue extended ski touring (both skiing and split boarding). This is nominally everything you need to know to travel over a variety of alpine terrain (Skiing / Skinning and ALPINE Climbing) and overnight (the eDVANCED bit).

Continue reading “The MSC ‘Slay Safe’ backcountry academy” →

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Waiting, waiting …

The ranges have been hammered by the rain. Going from a good cover of dry fresh snow that stayed around for opening weekend, the ranges have seen up to 140mm of precipitation since then. This has had a devastating impact on backcountry snow conditions.

While the resorts are operating, with limited terrain, the backcountry is not looking so good at present. With a patchy base that has been firming up in cooler conditions, it’s probably a better move to enjoy a few beers indoors or go for a walk at present. The immediate forecast still isn’t good, with mild conditions and a few days of ‘snow showers’ without any major falls expected. But once the snow does come in again, make sure you check the Mountain Sports Collective (MSC) backcountry conditions bulletin before you head out.

Continue reading “Waiting, waiting …” →

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Development application for cable car on kunanyi lodged

In huge news, it is being reported that a formal application has been lodged to develop a cable car on Hobart’s kunanyi/Mount Wellington. This divisive project has been the subject of a long and determined campaign from local residents who oppose the cable car.

The full scale of the project has not yet been released by the proponent. Local government councillors could vote on the future of kunanyi /Mount Wellington as soon as August.

Continue reading “Development application for cable car on kunanyi lodged” →

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(Another) vigil for the mountain

As the long campaign against the cable car planned for kunanyi/ Mt Wellington continues, the residents group Respect the Mountain is keeping the pressure on the developer and all levels of government involved in the approvals process.

They have now announced there will be a peaceful vigil outside the Wellington Park Management Trust Meeting to highlight the Trusts continued involvement in ‘pushing this inappropriate proposal for the people’s mountain’.

The Trust has an important role in looking after the mountain but has been criticised by many in the community during the campaign.

DETAILS

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at 9 AM – 10 AM

Facebook page (will have extra info and updates closer to the day) available here.

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All About Solar expo – Bright

14 and 15 June

Sustainable Upper Ovens is running an expo event on 14 & 15 June in Bright, and it’s for anyone interested in solar – residents with panels, residents without panels, renters and business owners. It will be an event where you can come and get all the information you need to install panels and batteries, maintain your panels, and understand how you can benefit from solar even if you can’t install panels.

There will be experts and displays on hand to answer all your questions.

Continue reading “All About Solar expo – Bright” →

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Lets Split – 2019 tours

Lets Split is again hosting splitboarding tours this winter. There will be 3 days trips and 2 overnight trips in 2019, both in Victoria and NSW.

Continue reading “Lets Split – 2019 tours” →

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Backcountry festival speaker’s program

As part of the 2019 Victorian backcountry festival, we are hosting an extended speaker’s program. This will happen on the afternoon of Saturday September 7, upstairs at The General, Mt Hotham.

The program will run from midday to 4pm (and will be followed by a ski in outdoor bar from 4 – 6pm).

Check below for the program. We have a few more things coming, so times will vary slightly before we get to the final program.

Continue reading “Backcountry festival speaker’s program” →

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A new (old) name for Mt Kosciuszko?

Of course, all of Australia is indigenous land, including the Alps. Despite colonisation and dislocation, Aboriginal communities have maintained connections with the Alps and have been re-asserting that connection in recent years.

Traditional owner groups have been involved in reclaiming of language, and this includes advocating for landscape features like mountains being re-named with their original or other relevant names.

This happened in the case of The Jaithmathangs, a rocky peak on the western side of the Bogong High Plains, which had previously been called The Niggerheads. They were renamed in 2009, after consultation with the Indigenous community.  The Jaithmathang are an indigenous group with connection to the High Plains. This renaming has happened extensively in The Grampians in western Victoria, which are also known as Gariwerd in one of the local languages, either the Jardwadjali or Djab Wurrung language. Peter Gardner has recorded the extensive range of indigenous names to be found in the Victorian Alps.

There has been a long conversation about the name of our highest mountain, Kosciusko. There have been proposals for dual naming – using the current name in conjunction with a traditional name (as happens with Uluru/ Ayers Rock).

It would appear that the push is gaining momentum.

Continue reading “A new (old) name for Mt Kosciuszko?” →

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Reclaim Kosci petition ceremony at NSW parliament

The Reclaim Kosci group have been running a fantastic campaign to gain protection of the Snowy Mountains through securing removal of the large numbers of wild horses in the Kosciusko national park.

This week they will present a petition to NSW parliament calling for the Repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act.

Continue reading “Reclaim Kosci petition ceremony at NSW parliament” →

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Winter 2019 is go!

With continued snowfalls expected this week, we’re looking as if we will have a proper (settled) base across higher ranges and hence an early start to the ‘season’ (yes, ‘ski season’ is just a capitalist construct).

You’re probably planning trips. Here are a few resources that might help:

Continue reading “Winter 2019 is go!” →

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