Mt Skene and the Snowy River, Victoria, Australia
Mt Skene and the Snowy River.
For a discussion on the causes of bushfires and how we can limit their dangers, read Bushfire!.
More info on bushfires in Victoria at State Library of Victoria.
Joe Mortelliti's life long love, from when he was first given a Brownie camera as a boy, was photography. It was the focus of his work life for many years. He loved to travel with his wife Marion to as many parts of Australia as he could. He had the ability to 'see' the beauty of our land in such a way that he could photograph it for the delight of others. These photos are a legacy that he has left us. Used by permission and with appreciation.
Powder snow on Mt Skene, alpine Victoria, Australia. The smooth powdery snow was an exciting sight to enjoy. We travelled by 4wd passing through and driving around, approximately 24 four wheel drives stuck in the snow, giving driving advice as we went.
The technique in these conditions is low range 1st gear, crawling at the slowest speed possible, no diff or center diff locks and10psi tyre pressure. As soon as you feel the tyres break through and drop into the snow you stop … no throttle required … and reverse back up and forth as many times as necessary to compact the snow beneath you. You then take a gentle run at the point were you stopped to get back up on top of the snow surface. September 2004.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
Snow gums on Mt Skene, alpine Victoria, Australia. At the top of Mt Skene, the colours of the snow gum trunks are beautiful sight. We were first to drive to the summit on untouched, powdered snow. To see the smooth powdery surface all ahead of you was a delightful experience. September 2004.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
Top of Mt Skene, alpine Victoria, Australia. The tip of a tree or bush reaches out from under the many feet of snow that covers it on Mt Skene. It was explained to me that the heat within the live tip of the tree generates enough heat to melt the snow immediately around it, hence the hollow in the snow it sprouts from. September 2004.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
Jackson's Crossing, Snowy River, alpine Victoria, Australia. This is the view from our tents that we enjoyed at this bush campsite. After breaking camp we crossed the Snowy River in our 4wds at headed north to pick up the Deddick Trail and onto McKillop's Bridge. January 2005.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
Hut and escarpment, Jackson's Crossing, Snowy River, alpine Victoria, Australia. Lots of charming elements, both from man and nature to create good images from. The flies were a bit of a problem here however and made camp cooking a bit of a challenge. January 2005.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
McKillop's Bridge, over the Snowy River, alpine Victoria, Australia. Located in the remote area of Eastern Victoria, near the small township of Seldom Seen. McKillop's bridge is one of the only two road crossings on the length of the Snowy River. The Bridge is 256 meters long and stands 191 metres high at road level.
Little River Gorge is located just west of the bridge and is Victoria’s deepest gorge. January 2005.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
Snowy River from McKillop's Bridge, alpine Victoria, Australia. Looking down on the Snowy River from 191 metres up standing on the roadway of McKillop's Bridge.
This is second bridge on this site. Two weeks before the official opening the Snowy River filled the valley and washed away the new bridge. Just imagine the volume of water to fill the valley and rise to wash away a 191 metre high bridge! January 2005.
Copyright © Joe Mortelliti Photography
It's also possible that the water washed away the foundations and caused the bridge to collapse, without needing to fill the valley. It would still have been a pretty impressive sight!
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