Mt. Beauty Australia
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008Flying High
By: Phoenix Arrien
I am flung into the air like a pebble from a slingshot. My head slams back into the seat as we shoot into the sky. Eyeballs rotating, teeth vibrating, I almost throw my breakfast down onto the town passing below us, until a calm and slightly amused voice next to my ear tells me to relax. Aaaah that’s better.
As the little tin can soars into the great expanse of sky above Mt Beauty, then levels out and glides, I look around and realise why Mt Beauty is called such a name. Beneath me, a long valley stretches out, bordered by rearing mountains (One of these mountains is the state of Victoria’s highest, Mount Bogong) that plunge enormous green feet into the valley’s soft meadows and pastures - a stark contrast between a promise of comfort on the flatlands and wild adventure on the rugged slopes and ridges.
When the SEC (former power company) created the township of Mt Beauty in the 1940’s to cater to the workers building the Kiewa Hydro-electricity Scheme, I wonder if they realised what a beautiful place this area was.
Of course they must have. They named it Mt Beauty after all!
Range upon range of startling blue mountains, slashed with brilliant white snow, herringbones the horizons. My volunteer gliding pilot, one of several who take visitors flying, flys our plane above it all, catching thermals and floating in that big blue expanse.
It’s a mind-blowing experience; with no engine noise or vibrations and a mere patch of Perspex between you and the wind, its like riding a huge eagle. I realise why people who fly without engines are addicted…and they are. After touch down I tried not to hop from one foot to another with excited impatience, ready for my next go at gliding.
Tomorrow…more freedom in the mountains.
