Hi all,
I went skinning last weekend for the first time. It was revelatory, besides realising a natural proclivity for skinning I also realised how much of a shite skier I had become since last I jolted down the icy slopes of Australia's alps. In order to get better, I've decided to do what no shanker skier probably should; do more off-piste skiing. With a fairly simple track in mind, some easy slopes to practice our shankery (/'ʃaŋkəri/ "the state of being a shanker") on the slopes around Guthega dam, and good weather closing in, I thought this weekend would prove the perfect time.
I have only allocated 3 spots. To be clear, because of my skiing level, I am not leading this trip in the traditional sense, I am only organising and facilitating its occurrence. Other skiers should be confident that they can a) avoid getting themselves into trouble - that is, avoid hazards in an alpine environment, hidden rocks, streams, gullies etc. - or b) get themselves out of trouble should they find themselves in it. This probably looks like the ability to do Black runs at Perisher. Detail your ability level on your registration.
Plan is to head down Friday morning, ski during the day, camp at Island Bend Friday night, ski Saturday, and depending on weather forecasts and whether we've been insufficiently frozen over the previous night, camp Saturday night and ski Sunday before returning to sunny Canberra Sunday evening.
There may be an opportunity for beers at Jindi pub one of the nights and dinner at the Cooma Alpine Hotel on the way back either Saturday or Sunday.
Safety: I will be taking an epirb and first aid kit.