Not quite Australia Day 2009 (we pre-empted the event by 24 hours) but nonetheless close enough to be carrying Australian flags. The expedition involved trekking to Base Camp on the shores of Lake Jindabyne, where we immediately set about planning the route, ensuring that provisions were sufficient, and that our equipment was in order...

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Now pay attention folks! (at least the map was the right way up)
Now pay attention folks! (at least the map was the right way up)
Closing eyes in desperation, hoping people know what to do
Closing eyes in desperation, Ivan hopes that people know what to do
Geoff appeared to be taking greater interest than most
Geoff appeared to be taking greater interest than most
Discussion ensued. Jim ponders the wine list instead.
Discussion ensued. Jim ponders the wine list instead.
Ivan dials up a weather forecast but mistakenly orders pizza
Ivan dials up a weather forecast but mistakenly orders pizza
Rob attempts to refill his beer bottle with Jedi knight mind control
Rob attempts to refill his beer bottle with Jedi knight mind control
Geoff expresses his concerns over the position of the BBQ
Geoff expresses his concerns over the position of the BBQ
Jim absorbing page 12 of the wine list. The shiraz looks promising.
Jim absorbing page 12 of the wine list. The shiraz looks promising.
The cheks cook invisible meat to a crisp on the BBQ
The chefs cook invisible meat to a crisp on the BBQ
Mike toying with the imaginary sausages, whilst others supervise
Mike toying with the imaginary sausages, whilst others supervise
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, wine is flowing (and Pip is speeding)
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, wine is flowing (and Pip is speeding)
Jen asking if the imaginary meat is cooked - Geoff and Brian taste test
Jen asking if the imaginary meat is cooked - Geoff and Brian taste test
Jen demonstrating that she isn't the slightest bit concerned
Jen demonstrating that she isn't the slightest bit concerned
Geoff finally discovers that imaginary meat won't feed the crew
Geoff finally discovers that imaginary meat won't feed the crew
Non-imaginary meat discovered and thrown into action - all is well
Non-imaginary meat discovered and thrown into action - all is well
Carol prepares for the trek by scanning magazine articles
Carol, in deep contemplation, prepares for the trek
Jim's wine list choices were impeccable, as was the food
Jim's wine list choices were impeccable, as was the food
(since we forgot to smile in the previous photo)
(since we forgot to smile in the previous photo)
(since I forgot to photoshop myself in...)
(since I forgot to photoshop myself in - pixellated to look fake...)
The ladies danced all night. Alex and Jen in full swing.
The ladies danced all night. Alex and Jen in full swing.
Rob, Jim and Ivan hum a few tunes, Jen warns of noise pollution laws
Rob, Jim and Ivan hum a few tunes, Jen warns of noise pollution laws
The trek begins!
The trek begins!
The expedition is ready for the day. It was time to ascend!
The expedition is ready for the day. It was time to ascend!
Jenny and Pip scout for possible routes, others pose for media
Jenny and Pip scout for possible routes, others pose for media
The photographer poses for the photographers
The photographer poses for the photographers
Tense moments whilst we waited for the weather to clear
Tense moments whilst we waited for the weather to clear
Mike herds the crew into position - almost ready to go!
Mike herds the crew into position - almost ready to go!
The first pitch was steep, but the right equipment made it look easy
The first pitch was steep, but the right equipment made it look easy
Necia, Jenny and Pip ascend the first pitch and discuss options
Necia, Jenny and Pip ascend the first pitch and discuss options
The top ledge required fine balance and a head for heights
The top ledge required fine balance and a head for heights
Chair 19 handle the difficult ledge with aplomb
Chair 19 handle the difficult ledge with aplomb
Chair 20 anticpating the jump
Chair 20 anticpating the jump
Expedition gear at the ready, the team treks past
Expedition gear at the ready, the team treks past
Chair 21 leaping in style, well between the cones
Chair 21 leaping in style, well between the cones
Geoff practises his dance moves on the way out
Geoff practises his dance moves on the way out
Our support crew were ill-equipped for the conditions
Our support crew were ill-equipped for the conditions
Happy smiling faces (as you'd expect at the start of the trek)
Happy smiling faces (as you'd expect at the start of the trek)
Pip pointing out the fact that we have to walk behind the sign
Pip pointing out the fact that we have to walk behind the sign
As you can see, the Trundles like to point
As you can see, the Trundles like to point
The crack direct ascent team heads out
The crack direct ascent team heads out

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