We were in over our heads. Here we were, on the final climb to Magdala’s summit, and two options presented themselves: Either go directly over the massive cornice, or traverse around and ascend the southern (and wind-slab avalanche-prone) aspect. It was a daunting choice, one that could mean our lives. Despite the risk, we chose the latter.
Not a single step felt secure. One misplaced kick of a boot, or one crack of the ice underneath, could spell the end of me. Or us. We thought the real danger would be at the Crosscut Saw, not here. But now here I was, torn between scurrying to the summit to minimise my time in the danger zone, or taking my time and being surefooted. I chose the latter. In any case, I had gone too far to turn back.
After reaching the summit, a wave of relief washed over me. But it was short lived. I looked back at Chippy, who’d begun following in my footsteps. And that’s when it started, a rumble so deep it shook my very being: an avalanche.
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(AAWT) is a long-distance walking trail through the alpine areas of Victoria, NSW, and the ACT. This 650km journey starts in Walhalla, Victoria and finishes in Tharwa, ACT, just south of Canberra. Ascending Australia’s tallest peaks, the AAWT is a popular thru-or section hike in warmer months. But having hiked significantly longer trails—Chippy had done the US’s Continental Divide
