Day 53: Bush bashing and climbing to get out of the snow

Path4 Comments

We were up at 5 to get an early start as it is easier going on the crisp frozen morning snow. Before setting off Rob and OG had a careful look at the maps to see what the gradient was like on the slopes ahead. We are wanting primarily to keep safe and traversing the tops of steep snowy slopes is quite scary. One wrong step is a very fast way to the bottom!

We decided to get down as best we could off the snow and onto lower ground. That allowed us to avoid some exposed ridges but of course we then had to get back up through snow to a saddle and work our way back to the trail.

After that for a few miles we were happy on dry trail but the path headed up to another saddle with even steeper slopes. By hiking beside the snow up a cliff of loose rock we avoided one steep part but at the saddle we rejoined the track as it turned and then commenced descent all through miles of snowy slopes! Anyway with Rob leading again (and catching me when I slipped) we have made it safely most of the way down and are again camped surrounded by snow.

We didn’t count on being out here tonight but fortunately carried an extra dinner so we aren’t going to bed hungry. Hoping for a quick and easy hike out to town tomorrow.