Bushwalk Australia

In the short time I have been a member here I have seen many threads asking for help and advice for winter and snow camping.
I have answered many and offered what advice and experience I can.
With so many asking the questions why is it that so few have inquired about joining me at Falls Creek this winter??
Do I give the impression of being too "Gung Ho" and living a little on the edge or is it simply that no-one can afford to take time off their job just in case they are found to be replaceable ( believe me I know what that feels like and it's one of the reasons chefs never take leave)
Why do we do it?
We do it because it is HARD and the buzz of proving to yourself that you are capable of doing difficult things well is incredible

You're a chef, huh? Maybe if you offered to whip up a couple of gourmet meals..the prospect of a decent feed to end off a top day of XC skiing might close the deal for those considering joining.

maybe they are loners....

Probably just life. Two people interested in something as niche as snow camping having a free slot on the same weekend is like winning the lottery.

BTW snow camping is not always that bad - indeed it can often be more comfortable than other types of camping. Camping on glaciers over 4000m is luxious in good weather - everything is comfortable and clean .

Slush / mud / wet / cold (e.g. tassie) is the hardest IMHO

nq111 wrote:BTW snow camping is not always that bad - indeed it can often be more comfortable than other types of camping. Camping on glaciers over 4000m is luxious in good weather - everything is comfortable and clean .

Slush / mud / wet / cold (e.g. tassie) is the hardest IMHO

+1

I would love to join you this winter, It's a dream of mine to see snow, I never seen snow in my life, Never.

I don't know how to ski, I'll be hopeless there and funds could be a factor for me, it would be the only reason stopping me from joining you to Falls Creek.

Yeah I'd love to join you mate, just can't see it happening at the moment

Phillipsart wrote:I would love to join you this winter, It's a dream of mine to see snow, I never seen snow in my life, Never.

We had snow on Mt Wellington today

I will be at the Blue Mountains west of Sydney late May to early June, I'm hopeful I will see snow.

Meanwhile, We had 29C today, I'm sitting here with the windows and doors open with shorts and t-shirt on trying to cool down.

8.4C here right now!

mate, i'd do something about that if i were you, with a body temp like that you should be rather dead by now..

I'm inside in the warmth you goose

Don't worry moondog. General offers to many people rarely attract much interest. Uni clubs and community groups all find the same thing. People get involved when they have friends or people they know invite them.

Phillipsart wrote:I will be at the Blue Mountains west of Sydney late May to early June, I'm hopeful I will see snow.

I doubt it, but July, now that might be a different story.

Phillipsart wrote:I will be at the Blue Mountains west of Sydney late May to early June, I'm hopeful I will see snow.

Meanwhile, We had 29C today, I'm sitting here with the windows and doors open with shorts and t-shirt on trying to cool down.

Lol, try living for 12 years in snow for 9.5months of the year, down to -60c, then you won't be so "hopeful".
For those who want to go snow camping, it is no big deal, just have the right basic eqpt and all is fine. Go out and try it,it is great fun.

"Skiing is the art of making falling down look graceful"

There is more than one way to get around in the snow, it's just that after the steep learning curve [ I only started to learn to ski as a 25YO ] skiing is the most fun. We will have a selection of various skis and snowshoes with us. Also big plastic bags for breaking necks at "Breakneck speed"
'Part of the fun is standing around a roaring fire passing the port bottle with your face roasting and your bum freezing

For me it's cost and going with a group that can tolerate my middle of the road fitness.

I have enough 4 season goodies to be able to survive in snow, but not enough to be able to comfortably travel through it (ie. have tent, mat, bag, stove etc... but no ski's, snowshoes, carrots and raisins etc...).

That and I have only skied once. I have discovered that I can go very fast downhill, but my stopping leaves something to be desired. Whilst executing my patented 'fall over to stop' maneuver I almost took someones head off with a flying ski...

[quote="Pongo"]For me it's cost and going with a group that can tolerate my middle of the road fitness.

I have enough 4 season goodies to be able to survive in snow, but not enough to be able to comfortably travel through it (ie. have tent, mat, bag, stove etc... but no ski's, snowshoes, carrots and raisins etc...). /quote]
Well buy some carrots and raisins, what's the point in having 4 season gear if you only use 3 seasons ?
Beside I consider my fitness at the lower end of the scale Somewhere between Norman Couch Potato and that bloke from that TV show that sits on his rear all day drinking beer

I'm keen... I'll even bring the port!

Camped in the Snow on Stirling 3 - 4 times, St Gwinear, and Lake Mountain (before it was in the NP).

Just need to pencil in a date that I'll be in the state.

August 01 through to whenever
Andrew has set a tentative date
PM me for more info

hey moondog,

i'm keen too. I just never check that section of this forum
Be interested in checking out that sled of yours too if youre taking it along.

I would love to do some snow camping with you Moondog. I need at least a 3+ season tent.

I will need to sort out gear and transport.

I will of course be bringing the sled and the pulk too if I can get it repaired in time [ it needs new shafts and those are expensive] but I am working on the sled this afternoon, just came back from Bunnings with corrosion resistant decking screws and a countersink bit. Maybe I should think about packing in the Fairydown Plateau tent as well.

Gday Moondog. Normally id be there with bells on. But between living up north, being 6 months pregnant and still not talking to my skis since my full knee recon Ill have to give it a miss
However give it a few years and Im sure I'll join the adventure for a few days. Falls creek is one of my fav aussie resorts to stay on snow so Im sure I could combine a little family holiday with mummy sneaking off for a few days Thankfully my 4yo shares his mothers love of the snow and has been going down with me since 5 months of age. He's already nagged me twice recently if we are going this year.

Bluegum Mic wrote:Gday Moondog. Normally id be there with bells on. But between living up north, being 6 months pregnant and still not talking to my skis since my full knee recon Ill have to give it a miss
However give it a few years and Im sure I'll join the adventure for a few days. Falls creek is one of my fav aussie resorts to stay on snow so Im sure I could combine a little family holiday with mummy sneaking off for a few days Thankfully my 4yo shares his mothers love of the snow and has been going down with me since 5 months of age. He's already nagged me twice recently if we are going this year.

Shame you can't be there, BGM - would have loved to see some of those MYOG things you've put together. All the best for your new family member project (MYOB?) anyway!

Cheers Andrew.

Sadly I haven't been doing much on the MYOG front since moving up north. My home in Sydney has a fantastic sewing room with massive built in desk...I truly miss it. Im dying to make a backpack but will wait till Im back in Sydney (which will be by the end of the year. Yippeeee).

Maybe next year BGM??
Never too early to teach tadpoles to ski

Talking about MYOG stuff. I'll bring my big Arctic/Antarctic overbag just in case we get a cold shnap

Ha. I've got a very rubbery arm when it comes to the snow. I've just gotten off the phone to my girlfriend who lives in Jindy trying to get me to fly down with the newborn in August. It will be my first year in 18 years that I haven't made it to NSW/VIC and or NZ ski fields. I'll definitely take them next year but I dare say that will be NSW. 2015??