ski guySkiing Kosciuszko
August 22nd 2006 06:40
SKIING
When i first started Cross Country Skiing in the high country of The Kosciuszko National Park, i was a fifteen year old girl still in year 9 at highschool. My friends at school could not understand what at all was supposedly "fun" about slogging it up hills and returning back in the afternoon to good heavens a TENT instead of a heated hotel room with a television! They insisted that i stick with downhill skiing or snowboarding because the effort and fitness required for X Country skiing was just not worth it. Well- i begged to differ.
Have you ever been so frustrated at someone for putting shit on something they hadn't even tried or experienced themselves?
I couldn't quite understand the logic of my young friends having developed the strange perception that XC was not as "cool" as the other forms of skiing. I admit, zooming down on your snowboard or skis without having to worry about getting back up the mountain again afterwards is a bonus- but there are other rewarding things that come from XC.
There is a sense of adventure when you venture out of the comfort zone of the norm. There is a feeling of freedom and refreshment, when you are out in the REAL wilderness, out of the touristy areas. Cooking for yourself, and making a camp fire, and playing cards and drinking wine and telling stories in the huts is something that you will never forget. Going home to a tv and a shower just does not have the same effect- at least on me.
The huts in the high country were built by stockmen, prospectors, recreational fishermen, skiers and the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority to meet their accommodation, shelter, recreational and hydrology needs at the time. Many of these huts have been lost through fire and decay, but around 120 of them still remain.
You can visit them for free! And i assure you, it is one of the funnest experiences i have ever had. In fact, i am hedding down to Kosi and my favourite hut- Schlink hilton- on Friday.
This blog will provide maps, info, links, tips, advice and stories about skiing and bushwalking and outdoor adventures for people of all ages!
More stories on the huts of the high country can be found at this site:
http://www.kosciuskohuts.org.au/storytelling.html
Julie.
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