It’s Go Time!
Just this morning, on a very windy and cloudy day, I shouldered a rather large pack and skied away from the Victorian resort of Mt Baw Baw. Next stop Mt Stirling/Mt Buller in about 2 weeks. Finally I'm on my way!
There's been a lot of talk, a lot of talk. Sometimes it is nice to quietly slip into the mountains but when you set fundraising goals for such an important project, you have to make a bit of noise. But I'm looking forward to getting into the mountains now. Looking forward to it but also missing Wendy already, who hugged me on my way just now. I remain the luckiest man in the world. And hey, it's 'only' a month until we meet up in Thredbo!
Before every big trip there is a bit of nervousness, a sense of what will the mountains throw at you, but it's great to be on the way. On Friday I skied at Lake Mountain, the first of the dozen snow resorts, but my time there was so important for another reason. With thanks to the Taungurung Land & Waters Council, I was honoured to be given a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country. My hours with Taungurung Elder, Uncle Shane, taught much and offered strength and acceptance for the undoubted challenges ahead. Uncle Shane and I also discussed everything from the regathering of stories in the Alpine country, the links these stories have to mobs as far away as the Central Deserts, the plight of the Bogong moth, reconciliation and the endless uses of a possum cloak. I know nothing but I know a little bit more.
Yesterday was a pearler of a day with fresh snow hanging in the snow gums here at Baw Baw. It was a perfect day to ski the lifts of Baw Baw, resort No 2, the last uphill assistance I will have for some weeks. From here to Nos 3 and 4, Mt Stirling and Mt Buller it is all under my own steam, on ski and no doubt some time on foot. There is some pretty rotten weather in the forecast for the next week but in the mountains you have to take it all, even more so in winter. And of course bad weather often means good things - the white stuff we live for. I have learned to never ever complain when it snows (but do when it rains!)
In the last update I mentioned that there was still plenty of Victorian real estate to sell for Our Yarning. Within 24 hours 4 resorts were sold and on the Alpine Odyssey Real Estate Books we now have just Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo for sale in Victoria and Selwyn Snow Resort and the Smiggins and Perisher sections of Perisher in NSW. Go on treat yourself! I'm a little surprised too that Mt Bogong, Victoria's highest place is still on the market......
But with thanks to your generosity, we are now over 2/3 way to my $50,000 target which is brilliant. You can jump onto my fundraising page here.
On the way to the start of Alpine Odyssey, after leaving Thredbo, Wendy and I have enjoyed the experience of the incredible Hyundai Ioniq EV loaned to us for the week. Yes we've burgled a bit of power at friends along the way but so far, with 1200km used from the 'tank' we've spent $26. You certainly have to plan your drive, until fast charging stations are rolled out everywhere. There was a little nervousness climbing up to Baw Baw in the dark last night, watching the battery drop away and away.....but we made it 😊.
We caught up with many people who are making Alpine Odyssey possible, old friends and new, and dropped off gear along the way to pick up as I travel through the alps. As just one example of the generosity and support, the Traverse Alpine Group, owner of the rather fine Astra Hotel in Falls Creek and a swag of bars and restaurants there, not only bought Falls Creek for Our Yarning, but have even created a special Alpine Odyssey Cocktail to sell at their venues, with proceeds to the fundraising. So treat yourself in Falls!
You won't hear too much from me in the next couple of weeks (yay you say!). The odd Facebook/Instagram post perhaps if I have signal and can spare battery life. My good friend Erica may post on my behalf too occasionally. I think you'll be able to follow my journey by heading to this tracking link.
I'm not the best with technology but if you check there you should see the odd point showing where I am/was and when.
Thanks for everyone's support. Now it gets real!
Cheers,
Huw
