September 2017: I had been watching for the last ten days hoping a return to sub-zero temperatures on Monday night would bring the warm and wet snowpack back from the brink and allow a tour deep into the western reaches of the Main Range.
A daybreak start from Guthega was colder and windier than expected and it was soon evident as we approached Twynam that everything was frozen solid and the zebra-like effect of wind-blown fresh on the ice had us joining the dots on the way up and questioning whether today would be the day long hoped for.
As we approached the western fall the wind dropped and the hovering cloud cleared to reveal our fears justified as the still frozen ice patterns covered all aspects. A mental readjustment was made, and the anxieties of maybe dropping into the unexpected and massive climbs out gone, we settled into tour mode and headed out past Tenison Woods Knoll towards the Crags.
Unlike recent years the endless skiable lines on the back of Carruthers, off Sentinel ridge and the Crags left us in awe. The top of Avalanche gully certainly looked skiable but descended into an ice field. On the northern side the cornice west of TWK was surprisingly small with plenty of options to drop in and the lines into Watson Creek and Siren Song looked the best ever. It all may have softened in time but decision made we moved on. Heading back past The Triple A we could see a massive glide crack on Subsidiary Ridge. The biggest I have ever seen in Australia. Japan-like!!
The tour home via Anton and Tate revealed the scope of this season’s snowfall with the snow line lower than I have seen in years and features of nature’s pure brilliance aided by extreme wind on show in places never seen before. Twynam North Spur looked an absolute peach even in the conditions and we regretted skiing past without realising.
The inevitable conversation about the history of skiing the western faces was had and we paid respects to Elyne Mitchell and her friends who pioneered this area in the early forties, riding up Hannel Spur on horseback, touring on wooden skis with leather boots and not a stitch of goretex to be seen.
Its always a big day out there and wisdom (old age) tells us that you don’t always get the goods but it’s a case of the journey being at the heart of this. Thanks Paul for your company once again. I couldn’t guess how many miles we have done together over the years and only hope I am up to the 20km plus days when I am in my sixties. Legend!! – Dave Herring
