Bogong

Feeling undone by the winter bleakness that had invaded my spirit over the past couple of weeks we decided to revel, rather than revile, in the winter delights of Victoria. Initially the plan was for some cross country skiing amongst the civilised groomed tracks of the resort, however upon discovering that a "Pub to Pub" race was to occur on the same day, the plan had become somewhat unappealing. In favour was a back country ski touring trip up Mt Bogong via the Eskdale spur, snow camping nearby Michell's hut.



Magic. Far far way.



Even more magical was the big snow dumps that had occured on cue throughout the week, nestling snow below azure alpine skies amongst stunted gums and rareified air. The 800m ascent over perhaps 3 to 4 km was gruelling given my body's winter apathy for cardiovascular fitness. But even after one day my body adjusted and while my mind was a little stuck on the idea of unfitness, my legs just got on with the work. I love the capacity for the body to dissociate from an uncooperative mind and I one day would like to abandon dissociation and move closer towards deeper association. The dualism is merely a convenient intellectual construct, and I am so often seduced by intellect, probably for convenience. Like following already marked ski trails in the snow.