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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.

Winter 2017. (Almost) done.

Wow. What a winter. Some forecasters were predicting a ‘slightly better than average’ season, and opening weekend saw skiable snow in the resorts, but then things slowed down for several weeks until we started to get serious snowfalls in July. We had four epic storm fronts during the season, variously called The Blizard of Oz, Snowaggedon 2.0, etc, with the best snowpack in September for 17 years. Most resorts extended their season a week until October 8, and there is still many weeks’ worth of skiing in many parts of the backcountry.

As the season winds down, like most snow addicts I’m already thinking about next year. Personally I had an awesome winter, with a highlight being a road trip from the Snowies to Mt Hotham. But I did a lot of ‘weekend warrior’ drives and now that the snow frenzy is dissipating, I feel like I’ve woken up after a big bender with a hangover and a slight sense of guilt…

Continue reading “Winter 2017. (Almost) done.” →

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Spring splitboarding mission to the western faces

This great story about a late season trip to the western slopes of the Snowy Mountains comes from Main Range Backcountry.

Antony von Chrismar goes on a Spring splitboarding mission to the western faces after getting back from a European summer.

Continue reading “Spring splitboarding mission to the western faces” →

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The Alpine Challenge

This looks epic. A 160 km mountain run that takes in six major peaks in north east Victoria. (There are a number of shorter courses as well, of 100, 60 and 36 kilometres).

“The Alpine Challenge is without doubt the toughest, most challenging, most spectacular and rewarding mountain trail run in Australia—if not the southern hemisphere over four distances. The 100 mile (160 km) course takes in 6 major climbs with 7,600 m of ascent and descent including Mt Feathertop, Mt Hotham, Mt McKay, Spion Kopje, Mt Nelse and Victoria’s highest mountain, Mt Bogong plus five river crossings. The 100 km involves over 4,000 m of ascent and descent and the 60 km course over 2,000 m of ascent and descent, whilst for those undertaking the 36 km run you will have over 1,300 m of ascent”.

Key Information

Date: Saturday 25 November–Monday 27 November 2017

Location: Alpine National Park, Victoria, Australia

Start/Finish: Slalom Plaza, Falls Creek

Full details here.

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1,700 years of climate history in Tasmania’s King Billy Pine

This is a fantastic story. Anyone who has walked in the mountains of central and western Tasmania is probably familiar with the King Billy Pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides). Individual trees can live for more than 1,00 years. It is one of the conifers that are endemic to Tasmania and exists only within a very limited range of habitat. Fire threatens the species (one third of its habitat was burnt in the twentieth century), and climate change is expected to increase the severity of fire seasons in future.

The following article outlines a research project that used core samples from King Billy trees to develop a better understanding of climate in Tasmania in previous centuries. It is available here.

Continue reading “1,700 years of climate history in Tasmania’s King Billy Pine” →

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Fears over Snowy River’s health without independent monitor

The Snowy Mountains scheme, built between 1949 and 1974, diverts the water of the Snowy River and some of its tributaries, much of which originally flowed southeast onto the river flats of East Gippsland, inland to the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers irrigation areas. This has caused the health of the Snowy to decline dramatically.

Following long running campaigns, the Snowy Water Inquiry was established in January 1998. The Inquiry recommended an increase to 15% of natural flows. In 2000, Victoria and NSW agreed to a long-term target of 28%, requiring A$375 million of investment to offset losses to inland irrigators. It has been hoped that this increase in flow will help the health of the river system improve.

However there have been ongoing fears that the flows are not being properly managed in a way that will maximise environmental benefits. In 2013, the NSW Government abolished the Snowy’s scientific monitor and a replacement body, announced in 2014, has not yet been established. As pointed out recently by ecologists, without an independent monitor, there is a risk that the health of the river will go backwards.

Continue reading “Fears over Snowy River’s health without independent monitor” →

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The Bright Mountain Film Tour

The Bright Mountain Film Tour (BMFT) is a celebration of mountain culture and those who embrace it. The organisers say ‘over five nights, the best adventure films from around the world are showcased amongst the alpine communities of North East Victoria’.

This​ ​year​ ​BMFT2​ ​will​ ​feature​ ​some​ ​epic,​ ​home-grown,​ ​Aussie​ ​adventures​ ​and​ ​some​ ​awesome female​ ​adventures,​ ​recognising​ ​the​ ​diversity​ ​in​ ​adventure​ ​sports.

Bright has become the epicentre of mountain sports with visitors from around the world enjoying everything the town and surrounding area has to offer. The BMFT is not just a film festival, it’s a community celebration. The films are handpicked by a panel of local enthusiasts, all experts in their related fields of filmmaking, mountain sports and tourism. The BMFT organising committee are looking to grow the event through the support of like-minded sponsors.

There are screenings planned for the new year period, in a range of towns, starting on December 28.

You can find full details and book tickets here.

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Bright Brewery’s solar powered beer

The Bright Brewery is a key business in Bright in north eastern Victoria. It has grown steadily over the years, and has an impressive operation in a fantastic location. The brewery is connected to the community, supporting local musicians, and many initiatives, like bike rides and events, and recently the Bright Festival of Photography. It financially supports many initiatives in north east Victoria.

It also has a strong commitment to sustainability:

Continue reading “Bright Brewery’s solar powered beer” →

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The Snowy River Extreme Race

The Snowy River Extreme Race is a whitewater event held on the iconic Snowy River in Kosciuszko National Park. The Event takes place on the October long weekend and consists of two races; an Expert race, and an Intermediate race. Both races take place on the stretch of whitewater between Munyang power station and Island Bend campground.

The 2017 race will be held this Sunday the 1st of October.

Expert Race:

The Expert race is a pairs time trial on a Class III- IV stretch of whitewater. The Expert race starts below the can-opener rapid and finishes at the rafters track. The expert race is approximately 2km.

Intermediate Race:

The intermediate race is a pairs time trial on a grade III stretch of whitewater. The Intermediate race starts at the rafters track and finishes at the flying fox cable. The intermediate race is approximately 1.7km.

Packraft and Inflatable Kayak Race:

This race is a pairs time trial race using whitewater appropriate packrafts or Inflatable kayaks. The race will take place on the same section as the Intermediate race.

You can find out more and register here.

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Has Alpine Shire underestimated the economic and environmental costs of the Dinner Plain ‘Green’?

As reported several times by Mountain Journal, the Alpine Shire in north east Victoria is currently investigating whether to develop a ‘Village Green’ (oval/ polo field/ elite athlete training ground) in the Dinner Plain village. The estimated cost of the project is $1.5 million and substantial investigations have been carried out to assess the likely environmental, social and economic implications of the proposal. Council is now deciding whether to proceed with developing the Green, which will require the destruction of almost 2 hectares of snow gum woodland (an assessment of the environmental impacts of this project is available here).

The information provided to the public by Council about the environmental impacts of the proposal and costs of managing the Green over time have been assessed by an independent ecological consultant. This was done in a voluntary capacity and provided to Council to aid in their decision making. An edited version is provided below.

Continue reading “Has Alpine Shire underestimated the economic and environmental costs of the Dinner Plain ‘Green’?” →

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Skiing The Slot at Mt Field

Recent heavy snowfalls briefly created perfect conditions in the Tasmanian mountains for touring and some serious descents. One classic line with potential is a steep gully in Mt Field National Park called The Slot.

It was briefly in condition, and Ben Armstrong was out there to ski it.

These photos come from Ben via the Australian Backcountry facebook group.

Continue reading “Skiing The Slot at Mt Field” →

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Have you seen avalanches in the mountains this winter?

This map, of the north eastern mountains of Victoria, shows all the known significant slides that have occurred so far in 2017, with the categories of each. Mountain Sports Collective would love to know if there are any others that you may have come across in your travels this winter?

As a guide: C2 would bury a car, C3 would bury a bus. It’s probably the C1 (just big enough to bury a person, the small slides we are missing).

If you’ve got photos please post them through a report on the MSC website, and please location tag them with a date You can also just add a description on the Snowsense Instagram account.

MSC would also like to know about slides outside this area – elsewhere in Victoria or in NSW.

This information will be used to review the reporting standards that MSC is using. Thanks for your help.

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APSI Spring Sessions 2017 at Perisher

The 16th & 17th of September will see the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors (APSI) Spring Sessions happen at Perisher.

It will be two days of awesome clinics planned with some of Australia’s top trainers.

For further info & to book in, call the APSI on (02) 6456 1255 or visit their website here

On Sunday, the team from Wilderness Sports will have a demo tent full of new gear for you to try out, including Alpine Touring, 75mm telemark and NTN.

They will also have the new EVA snowshoes by Crescent Moon and available to try out.

 

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