The Great EC Snow Trip of 2005
Sunday 17/7/05
Some would say that "day 1" of the ski trip started long before the 17th, that it started in the hearts of EC the day the last ski trip finished. Or maybe it was when we actually booked a place and got a crew together. The true start date is debatable beyond reason, so for arguments sake we'll just say that day one was the day we actually departed from Sydney.
A few new additions to the crew this year (namely Spu, Sasha, Nat, Bel and Liv) saw the non-attendance of one of EC's founding fathers on the basis that the group would become contaminated and unclean. A true purist, but many would contend that the EC charter can be interpreted in myriad of ways, and so the path was laid for the inclusion of those you wouldn't really associate the EC tag with. (Certainly, their low head-shot count is alarming).
The seating arrangements configured, Smasha's Ford and Timbo's Cam0r travelled in a convey, with much frivolity and laughter had via way of CB radio. Spu's Beemer went separately, constantly set to "turbo" mode, and they arrived some time before the rest of the group.
In keeping with the tradition of years gone by, the convoy of cars contracted a case of the gheys from a passing churney in Queenbeyan and subsequently partook in a variety of strange rituals like the following.
Bringing up the trusty rear and holding most of the skis, Dicko's Prado shortly arrived for the rendezvous in Jindabyne. The equipment was picked up, the car's loaded, and man and beast alike were dreaming of the sight of Bullocks Flat and what wonder lay beyond.
Front Valley was soon in the eye of our collective beholder, and in the immortal words of Daniel G, we were all "good to go!!"
On the Sunday afternoon, we pretty much stuck to front valley and around mid-station, everyone just finding their skiing/boarding feet again and just feeling good about being on the slopes. As per usual, the conditions were a bit blizzardy, with plenty of snow falling (as always happens to us on the first day).
Unsurprisingly, the boarders were the first to "Jax", for a beer (or two). We had to get back to Jindy to pick up the keys to the place before 6pm, so we made a concerted effort to do so.
Unfortunately, the fine print on the information sheet implied we actually had to be back by 5.30pm, and with great shock we found the real estate agent closed. Sux.
With everyone vying for Linds' blood (who organised the accommodation) we were relieved to find that the kindly real estate agent had left the key under the mat of the place (officially known as "Platypus House"; although their was a distinct lack of said creature, and one wouldn't have been incorrect suing for false advertising).
The troopers who went back early got first dibs on sleeping arrangements, which was advantageous given that there were only 8 beds for the eventual 14 occupants.
All got settled in, and then it was down to business - going to the shops to purchase vital supplies, like VB, Pills, Crownies and Heinies.
We tucked in for the Big Brother Live Eviction, much to the consternation of those in the group who don't actually like Big Brother and in fact despise the very existence of the concept.
Then we got the lappy going and watched some awesome Dave Chappelle stand up comedy that more or less had most of the peeps in various stages of dying from laughter.
A reasonably early night concluded the first day, with Dev copping plenty of flak for parking his rainbow serpent (insert pic here) in the room which already had the most people, and he effectively destroyed any floor space economy which anyone might have had. He stuck to his guns and would not budge, and thus was eventually accepted a member of said room. GOLF!!! ROFL!!!!!BMAOB
Sasha was valiantly rallying anyone who would listen to get up early and do "virgin powder" and "first tracks" with him, but in most cases he was met with non-commital and feigns of indifference and even sometimes out right opposition -
"Get up at 7am when I could sleep in to 7:30? Are you mad as a cut snake or some such sir?"