Training Log Archive: TheInvisibleLog

From Staircase Spur 2012

Caption competition. Pick the correct answer.
A - I always wanted to climb to 1700 metres on Staircase Spur in winter.
B - Finally my man has accepted its time to turn around and walk back down
Ç - I'm so proud of the pink thermals that bloke behind the camera purchased for me.
D - Do you think I should audition for the next stage version of Sound of Music?
E - Look over there behind me ... doesn't the Eskdale Spur look so much easier.

I think we are too old for Alpine starts, and when there is snow on the ground from 1000 metres, 10 am is too late to start a winter ascent of the Staircase Spur. An earlier start today wasn't going to be much more useful though. We met a number of parties coming down as we were going up, talking about winds and slippery ice. But by the time we reach our high point of 1700 metres, the air was still. The cloud ceiling was just above us, the snow was untracked in front of us, up to waist deep in places and time was running out, so we turned around and went back down from somewhere near the Castor outcrop. My mother was brought up on a diet of mountain cattleman horror stories of being caught in blizzards on Bogong, so was on the phone to check up on us as we drove home. Little did she know that the most serious risk we faced was from rime blocks falling off the peppermint gums during wind gusts on the way up. Peppermint gums are quite a bit higher than snow gums, and my arm still hurts a little from a direct hit. Other than that, the only damage was a blister. Bogong in winter is on the list for another try. Maybe the week after next.

From Staircase Spur 2012

From Staircase Spur 2012

From Staircase Spur 2012

C • photos 2

The weather forecast for the tops mentioned snow and 60 kph winds. Decided a lower target was more sensible. Mt Jack is the twin peaks located between Dederang, Mudgegonga and Rosewhite. We walked up the Rosewhite track to the top because we hadn't done it before. Its not all that likely we will do it again. But after looking at it from below for years and years, its now ticked.

From Mt Jack

The Your Favourites section on my AP screen is a sea of red today. Hoping I don't join the crowd.

C • Mine too 5

Annual Whirakee Appreciation run. The bloom is at its peak and any run is to be interrupted by frequent scenery and photography stops. The Leopard Orchids are out as well.Unfortunately the lighting was less than optimal due to an approaching cold front. Still, it makes one glad to be alive and living in Bendigo.
I missed the scheduled hard run, so that has to be tomorrow. Taking the afternoon off to sit down with a superannuation fund adviser. It may be time. Another year of the current political conditions will be as much as I can bother to bear. Looking forward to packing for Mt Bogong. Its been a long time since I packed the old ice axes and rope.

From Whirakee 2012

From Whirakee 2012

From Whirakee 2012

From Whirakee 2012

From Whirakee 2012

C • Look great 1

Standard tempo run (as in I have now done it twice). Shave two seconds off last weeks time. Whoopee. Still to crack 5 min/ks.

C • MTBO 1

No running. Day trip to Canberra.