It was with some emotion a that i set off from the panelvan and my brother yesterday evening. I left Charlotte Pass just after 6pm I had intended to summit Kosciusko and then night ride down to Dead Horse Gap. I set off at a cracking pace as the rest day had done my muscles proud. However as I crossed the headwaters of the (once) mighty Snowy I could see clouds and rain brewing to the south west. The race was well and truly on. I could see Seamens Hut on the spur above my position and a quick summation told me that at my pace it would be extraordinarily lucky if I arrived to the hut dry. I did not. The weather that arrived bought with it driving rain and wind gusts of up to 93km/h (that I measured with my handheld device). It was properly gnarly out there and the obvious thing to do was to bunker down for the night and try to get some sleep. It came fitfully as the hut was blasted with tremendous gusts of wind. These are only just dying off as I write know at 11:40 the next morning. So I think a little more waiting, some lunch and hopefully this afternoon I can make up the lost ground. It must be said, however, my intention was originally to complete the night ride this evening, so I am not actually behind as such.

I've read everything available in the hut and have churned through John Winston Howard's university years, I have Lazarus Rising on my phone to read. Needless to say I am toey to get going but will not do so until the weather improves, this is after all the main range, scene of several tragedies and surely hundreds of near misses where people have been caught in similar weather. This is a cozy and warm place to wait it out and things could certainly be worse!!

Many thanks to Sime for his big drive(s) and fantastic support of my trip to date. Much appreciated.