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...
 Are you sure that this is the right way? It's uphill! |
 Sue considers a daring off-track saunter |
 Sue still contemplating the move, Alex poses for the media |
 Sue still unsure, but this gives time for the Mike to be photographed |
 At the Ramsheads, enjoying the view |
 In the knowledge that it's all downhill from here... |
 ...the crew poses for photos with an impressive backdrop |
 Not quite tip-toeing through the tulips |
 Meanwhile, above the clouds, a blind man and his guide trek upwards |
 Below the treeline, the advance party scouts for shade |
 The crack ascent team encountering difficult conditions at the top |
 The sherpas were sent ahead to locate the summit |
 It was vitally important to record the ascent |
 Our sherpas began to lose interest, so we battled on without them |
 Conditions were grim. Our only protection was an Australian flag. |
 Geoff scouts for a suitable summit flag location |
 Brian discovers the summit at last |
 Geoff's patriotism shone, though oxygen levels were dropping |
 Being the most photogenic of all, Geoff was in high demand for poses |
 Geoff contemplates further instructions over tea |
 The lack of oxygen bottles forced a retreat, and casual attire |
 Ravenous birds pick off the slow movers, and the weak |
 Despite avian marauders, we were able to continue |
 Cloud cover increased dramatically on the descent |
 Meanwhile, below the treeline, lunch is served for the low-level trekkers |
 In the shadow of the mighty Ramshead, the high-altitude team rests in sight of the snowline |
 It was good to rest in sight of Cootapatamba Hut |
 The almost impassible terrain gave little resistance to the crack traversing team |
 The Dead Horse Gap team arrives at the Cascade trail head |
 It was at this point that the yabbie claw gave us sustenance |
 The blind man with the stick being assisted across treacherous terrain |
 Rob is clearly attracted to trees |
 Only four kilometres to go! |
 Crossing the mighty Thredbo River |
 The river snaking its way back to Base Camp |
 One final lookout, before trekking back to civilisation |
 Alex contemplates a triple-axle, but thinks better of it |
 Rob, Alex and Jenny puzzle over the reason for a surf ski at Thredbo |