Learning in the great outdoors

Unit 4 OES - Mt Stirling Alpine Experience

In Week 7 of Term 3, our Outdoor and Environmental Studies class left Melbourne on a trip out to Mt. Stirling. We had three days in the mountains to learn how to cross-country ski from scratch. The first day was spent learning the basics and getting a feel for the long poles stuck to our feet, it was difficult and the majority of us spent most of the day on our backsides. When we returned the next day in the early morning everyone’s confidence was slightly improved and we set out for a long day of skiing… UP! the mountain. Once we had warmed up (literally) and we were all well on our way, the sun began to shine through the trees and melt the icy surface of the snow. This made the experience a whole lot more enjoyable, as stacking would be far less painful. We did a few practice runs down a small slope and this is where it got really interesting. If there hadn’t been enough people hitting the ground already, we were all performing some pretty impressive stacks, everyone was helpful and encouraging to each other though, making it easier to get back up and try again.

By the time we had made it to the cricket pitch area some 3 hours later, most of us were down to our T-shirts. If nothing else, this had been a workout. Then it was time to make our descent. For some this was a terrifying idea as stopping wasn’t our strong suit. We soon learned this was a valid concern as half the class ended up in a ditch off the side of the track. Those who had experienced downhill skiing definitely had an advantage in this section, while others found it extremely challenging. Overall I think everyone had a blast coming down the mountain, especially after trekking it all the way to the top.

By the time we returned to our cabin at the base of the mountain we were all exhausted and sweaty, but in good spirits after having accomplished such an experience. We pulled out our Trangias to cook dinner and I don’t think food has ever tasted so good.

On the final morning we were up very early and back up the mountain again. Our final morning would include an hour long ascent to Razorback Ridge Hut, a very historical area of the region. Long-time local and advocate, Craig Jones, spoke to the group for an hour about the history and importance of the Mt Stirling. He spoke about the alpine grazing dispute, the rise of tourism and the importance of environmental awareness in the region. After the talk, we make our final run down the mountain and then later our quiet return journey home. Overall, it was an amazing experience in a truly remarkable and unique are of Australia.

Elian H, 11G