Leader: Steve McGlone

Although Chris cancelled this climb, a trio of us were eager to test our fitness after minor injuries had us house-bound for weeks.

And the weather was too good to stay inside. Steve put his hand up, and became the default leader and driver. At 9am, we made an ‘alpine start’ from Flora Saddle, up the familiar track to the hut. A handful of day-trippers were about, mostly keeping below the snowline in their sneakers. Steve and Chris were faster than I, patiently waiting for me to huff and puff my way up each summit. So, as we made our slow ascent up each hillock, younger and fitter folks leap-frogged us.

It was great to put our ice-axes to use, however, the snow was soft and slushy, impeding our progress. My trekking pole was arguably more useful.

After about three hours, out came the crampons, to negotiate the narrow sidle below Winter Peak, into a snow bowl that joins with the upper slopes of Mt Arthur. My legs were threatening to cramp, so by the time we reached the sign-posted junction, I decided to rest.

Steve made a quick directissimo to the top of Winter Peak, with young Chris gingerly following his footprints. This was a good test for his cramponing technique, on this steeper face. Meanwhile, I texted my wife to notify her of our progress.

Our descent went without incident, through snow-showers and sunlight, down, down, down to the carpark. All in all, we were happy with eight hours of taxing exercise. Any day in the mountains is a good day.     

Climbers were: Steve McGlone, Chris Tilley & Ray Salisbury (scribe).