Day six Thredbo River Walk

After clearing the snow off our cars, we all set out for the Crackenback Resort to start our walk along the Thredbo River. One group of 8 led by Dario opted for the shorter circuit of about 8 km. The other group of 6 led by Sandy set out for the 13 km track. It was amazing how quickly the sun had melted the snow on the hills above us, and how little water was left on the track, so no muddy boots and a glorious sunny day! We followed a mountain bike trail to Thredbo Diggings campground, where we had morning tea next to the Thredbo River. We then followed a track next to the gurgling and fast flowing stream to Bullocks Hut, which was once the home and holiday playground for a well off Sydney doctor. After circling Crackenback resort we returned to our lodge on the mountain. 

Doris and Hardy

Sandy's group followed the Thredbo River downstream for a couple more kms as it widened out. Lunch was enjoyed on the grassy river bank, by the raging river. Our return route took us past the fancy cottages of Crackenback Resort. 

Sandy

Leopard orchid

Dr bullocks hut

Crackenback resort 

A heartfelt thank you to our hosts Sandy & Dario: a beautiful butterfly shawl for Sandy & a bottle of Margret River red wine for Dario.......

Day five R & R in Snowy Blitz Thredbo

The photos speak for themselves today.....

Early morning wet snow

Ice on our cars

Early am on the ski hills

Kerry's new 30x zoom camera

Kerry & Neil what a handsome couple camouflaged in the snow

Roslyn lodge 

Julie's new toy a talking kangaroo!

Day four Merritts Nature Track & Jindabyne

We started the morning with a few people, Julie, Kerrie and Neil doing an early morning walk to stretch their legs. After breakfast a local walk was offered – some people went to Jindabyne and the rest of us headed off. Soon after arriving at Merritts Nature Track we had a medical emergency – Neil had a blister!!! Consequently he left the pack of intrepid walkers and headed home to do the washing. The trail started up and continued up many steps until we passed the bobsled track. Sandy was not successful in her attempt at a downhill run. We walked beside a bubbling creek and stopped for photos before heading up once again – this was meant to be a casual rest day. We then crossed under the chairlift and the cycling track and headed down (finally) on Meadows Nature Track back to Thredbo.

On arriving back the group departed for their individual rest day activities until 4pm when we all assembled for a first aid refresher session led by Dianne and Gerard with 3 emergency bushwalking scenarios. After dinner we played a very brain challenging Australian Trivia Quiz professionally prepared by Janice & Darylene, won by The Die Hard, with our guest Diane as a member of the winning trio.

hands on first aid!

The lazy way down! Bye bye leader!

Now where are we? Any more steep hills to climb?

Julie, Sin Pin and Lyn went to Jindabyne to enjoy their "free day".

They bought lunch from the bakery and had a picnic by Lake Jindabyne.

After that , they went to the Information Centre where they watched an ,

interesting documentary on the Alpine Region/Kosciuszko National spark.

The weather was perfect until it began to rain on the way back to Thredbo.

Lyn & Sin Pin

Our guests Di & Simon from Western Australia, a couple walking to Canberra, met on the Cascade walk by Gerard, Kerry, Neil & Julie.

Day three Cascade Trail

Cascade hut walk

It was a hot,hard,long walk of 20.2 km & 35,086 steps, rewarded by a close sighting of 3 brumbies. Gerard, Neil, Kerry & Julie ate lunch with 2 walkers Di & Simon, farmers from Kojonup WA, who were camping at Cascade hut after 36 days walking the Australian Alpine walking track starting at Walhalla & finishing in Canberra after 50 days. It makes our effort seem pretty feeble.

Julie

In anticipation of the weather deteriorating in the afternoon, our group made an earlier start than usual. Having driven to the Cascade Trailhead, the group split into two platoons. Under the command of Major Gerard, four members set off for the attack on Bob's Ridge, before heading on to Cascade Hut. The second group, under the able command of Brigadier Sandy (8 members), surveyed the Thredbo River, pausing to admire the distant views into Victoria, tracking brumbies (with some success) and recording the positions of snow gums and wildflowers, before returning to Cascade Falls for lunch. Fortunately, the forecast proved incorrect and we had another lovely, sunny day.

Maryanne and Nette

Grassy morning tea without flies and ants.....