The Mont Blog

This week’s jaunt saw me in Tasmania’s north and west spending some quality time in our magnificent Myrtle Beech forests. The first stop was Upper Quaile Falls, a place I had not visited before. Despite the track in leading through some previously logged forest, there were still some magnificent trees to be seen and the falls had plenty of water.

Back to the car and onward to a location west of Cradle Mountain, the Vale of Belvoir. This area was purchased by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy in 2008 and consists of a limestone valley roughly 10 km long by 2 km wide. Lying at an altitude of 800 metres it is Tasmania’s only sub-alpine limestone valley.

Available now in very limited numbers (20 of them in Australia!) and only from Mont: the award-winning Ortovox Diract Voice Avalanche Transceiver, the number one item on gear lists of alpinists around the World.

The weather was predicted to dump a whole bunch of snow on us and that began to eventuate as we walked the switchbacks from Guthega Power Station as rain turned to snow.

Our base was Whites River hut, our tents? Some brand new Mont Dragonflys. We set up camp and enjoyed the serenity of our surrounds.

Click Click Click and Collect from the Mont Shop in Fyshwick.
Last-minute gift for Dad? A gift for yourself? Or JUST. NEED. TO. GET. OUT. OF. THE. HOUSE!?!?

It almost seems cruel writing these short trip descriptions while so many in Australia have limited freedom. But at the same time, I hope it lets some dream of happier times both in the past and future.

The last time I walked on the slopes of Mt Wedge was 1996, 25 years ago, so this latest trip was slightly slower. I intended climbing 400 vertical metres or so to the location of some beautiful myrtle forest, and it was just as good as I remembered from previous visits.

Three months ago I had major shoulder surgery for 3 separated tendons. Last week my physiotherapist said I was now allowed to carry a full pack for an overnight walk. Hooray!!!

While Grivel's best selling Nepal SA and timeless Monte Bianco ice axes will assist you across a glacier and through easy terrain, Mountaineers will quickly find these axes left wanting on more technical climbs and steep pitches. To the uninitiated, they may look similar, but the security offered by a technical ice tool is leaps and bounds ahead of a walking or classical ice axe. Firm, easy, secure placements in waterfall ice and mixed pitched make your climb, and descent, a whole lot safer.

Last night I went for a drive.

The forecast was for cold, clear conditions on Tassie’s Central Plateau. There is a particular location where a forest of dead cider gums gives the landscape an otherworldly feel. Their gnarled and twisted branches reaching into the utter silence of the sparkling, cold sky is a spellbinding combination.

We are all chasing strength gains in one way or another and finger strength is no exception.

So which hangboard do I choose? With so many on the market these days from wood, plastic and polyurethane, I thought I would share my thoughts on my choices.

We left from Guthega Power Station in wild, snowy weather carting a makeshift sled, piled with firewood, made by Hilly the day before from an old boogie board, a dissected pool noodle and rope.

Earlier in July I went for an overnight Ice Climbing trip at Blue Lake in Kosciouszko National Park.

I setup camp with my Moondance 2FN tent in a nice sheltered spot that I often enjoy under Mt Twynam.

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