More Early Season Turns

I am both surprised and stoked to say it is the 2nd of May and I have already gotten out on 3 ski tours and winter is yet to officially arrive, although looking out the bed room window first thing this morning it sure looked like it had! A week out from the Routeburn Classic mountain run, Jane and I could have probably benefited form a easy run this morning, but with the Craigieburns looking so inviting we decided a mellow ski tour couldn't hurt. It was hard to say if there was more snow than when we skied at Easter, as it wasn't as low, but it had stormed for a few days longer. It was a late start as I organised my gear between making breakfast and consuming all important coffee and we got to Middle Hut around 1015.

Jane starting out at Middle Hut

There wasn't as much snow at Middle Hut last time and we started on foot, but after around 5-10mins were skinning. As we climbed the snow quickly got deeper and by the time we reached the top of Cheesemans main tow there was as much snow as Easter time, but this time it was more consolidated.

Skinning towards the ridge, Mt Cockayne in the background

We made it to the top of the ridge and skied into Tarn Basin, were we discovered some great snow and were surprised to not hit any rocks. This convinced us to do another 2 laps in the upper bowl of Tarn.

Jane skinning back up for lap number 3

After this we skinned to the top of Mt Cockayne and then skied back to the car at Middle Hut.

Jane and our turns off Cockayne

All up about 875m of ascent/descent. Below is a little video of the 2nd lap in Tarn