It has indeed been a long time, and it’s been a real pleasure to finally put together TG issue 41. Since our last issue there have been catastrophic bushfires on the island, hints of federal election, a leap day on February 29th, the end of summer season, a few treetop adventures, and more. It has been eventful in many ways.

With all that excitement in the air, here then is a firecracker of an issue, filled with adventures near and far.

After more than a year of anticipation, we’ve finally arranged to share some of Simon Bischoff’s spectacular mountain aerial footage. Now filming as Video Compass, Simon’s a keen rock climber of Tasmania’s vertical cliffs. With the new skills and technology of the aerial cameras, he’s put together a surreal and spectacular celebration of Tasmanian geology – Their Land. Watch it in full screen!

Now that the smoke is clearing, that devoted explorer-of-the-Tarkine Dr. Nicole Anderson has sent in a photodocumentation of a scorched region. There are the colors you would expect – bright green against powdery black – but there is also an unexpected texture and depth to the imagery.

Maria Grist then spins us a tragic and educational historical tale about an early ultra-marathon on Mount Wellington – the 1903 Go-As-You-Please. More than a hundred years ago, a blizzard landed on the day of a scheduled race and conditions quickly went from bad to worse. Hobart’s favourite chunk of dolerite is renowned for extreme weather changes, and walkers on even the sunniest day should plan the potential snowstorm.

And then, we’re back to Bruny Island to check in on the endangered 40-spotted pardalotes, and Andrew Hingston tells us a bit about the work happening at Inala Bird Sanctuary to protect these rare birds.

It’s another fine collection of stories and it’s been a true pleasure to compile them. If you like reading them, do tell a friend and spread the word.