billrider2013

I arrived in Thredbo late on Sunday night and checked into the YHA.  This was my mate’s first experience of a Youth Hostel.  I have become very familiar with backpacker hostels and other forms of budget accommodation since my separation  and subsequent  divorce.  I have found the hostels ideal accommodation in Australia and overseas, particularly in SE Asia.  I will post on some of my thoughts on hostels later.

Not the Best Pool Player Anymore

We had dinner in the Bistro in the Alpine Hotel.  I have been eating the Bistro on off and on for many years. We both agreed that the place has virtually remained unchanged since the late 70’s at least.  This extends to the pool tables.

After dinner we placed $3 to secure place to challenge the holders of one of the pool tables.   The blokes we were challenging were Polish house painters that were working on a Ski Club in the village.  I am not sure  if they knew what we were talking about  when my mate told them it wasn’t long ago that it only cost 20c to play a game of pool.

There was a time went I would have bet ‘my left one’ on my mate winning any game of pool anywhere.  I vividly recall games on our trip on our trail bike to Melbourne  1975.  I we didn’t lose  l game in which he played (N.B. that was typical of anytime 1974 to at least 1984).  This caused issues in most places given that 20c provided us with a full night’s entertainment playing pool.  I can recall that this really upset the locals in South Yarra and Porepunka  to such an extent that violence was threatened.

A great many years on, in Thredbo in 2013,  we proved to be competitive (games went down to the black) but not winners on the night.  Poland 2, Australia 0.

Someone is not as fit as he was

The next day we headed out of Thredbo to Head Horse Gap.  Within a couple of klms it became apparent that several years off a human powered bike had has an impact on my mate.  After a bit of walking and riding we made it to the turn off to the Cascade Track.  This is where the real riding began.  The trail starts at round 1600 metres and very quickly rises to 1800 metres.  This proved to a real challenge for my mate.  The proportion of walking overtook the proportion of riding.  After a seriously lot of ‘up’ we crossed Bob’s Ridge and headed ‘down’.

As we headed ‘down’ my mate made the executive decision that we would go as far as Cascade Hut and turn back.  That was a good decision and once made, we concentrated on enjoying the spectacular country and views.  The silence was deafening.  It is really noticeable that at that attitude there were no birds.

The trail took down a very steep ridge onto Cascade Flat to the hut of the same name.  The hut is classic alpine hut right out of the Man from Snowy River (remember that classic film?).  Nearby was a holding pen that is obviously used to capture wild Brumbies.  However, judging by the number of piles of horse poo on the trail there are still heaps of Brumbies in that area of the Alps.  On the climb back, I actually heard the ‘winning’ of a Brumby or two.

Some Thoughts on Thredbo

After about six hours of walking and riding we made it back to Thredbo. We sat on the balcony of the YHA looking at the ski runs across the valley.  All the Australian ski fields are marginal in this time of, seemingly undeniable, climate change.  Thredbo, like all the other resorts is dependent on snow making to make it viable.

Oh yes, I have to make mention of my mate’s experience of Thredbo hospitality.  He found that is bike rack was loose.  An inquiry at the BP Garage as to whether they had a large shifting spanner brought the following response:  “I may have, but if I was to look, that would be a $55 call out”.  As only he could, my mate’s response was: “You are a first grade arsehole, and have spent too long in Thredbo”.   He requested that I record this encounter in this post.  I suggest any anyone thinking of travelling to Thredbo steers clear of the BP .  There are lots of servos in Jindabyne.

We will be back

A final note:  I was surprised to find how fit I was compared to my riding mate.  Hopefully he will be retiring a soon.  Retirement will be well deserved.  After a few months he will be as fit as all ever.  We plan to the headwaters of the Murray again.  I expect to be the laggard next time.