Perhaps not overly high by North American or European standards, our high country nevertheless certainly presents a harsh alpine environment. The ubiquitous Eucalypt has developed here into the particularly beautiful Snowgum, well adapted to spending months under snow, with raging blizzards trying to tear the trees from the earth. The snow grasses, heaths and other alpine plants simply lie quietly under the snow waiting for spring to release them for another burst of activity before the next freeze sets in.