by Dutchy » Sun 20 Jul, 2014 10:43 am
Hi guys,
Just my 2 cts from another novice snow shoe-er...
We bought the 22" lightning ascents, I'm 1.85 and about 75 kg and generally carry a 25 kg pack. \
I've done 2 trips so far this season, 1 overnight trip to Mount Stirling and a day trip to Baw Baw.
Mount Stirling was our first trip on the snow shoes, we opted for the 22" as seemingly Australia doesnt get powder that would require bigger ones.........ehm...
We didnt leave Telephone Junction till 17.15 and set off for Bluff Ridge Hut. The snow shoes took a little of getting used to, but were quite easy to get the hang of. Main thing was to keep your feet slightly further apart to prevent the snow shoes touching. We walked about 5 km's in 2 1/2 hours over groomed x-country trails. Our hiking poles combined with snow baskets made a big difference once we decided to pull them off the pack and actually use them.
We spend the night at the hut and woke up to crystal clear skies and had the most beautiful day near the summit.
We walked about 7 - 8 km's the second day with our overnight packs, mainly over groomed trails but partially through beautiful powder near the summit.... Next time I'll be taking my board up there!
Last weekend we decided on a day trip to Baw Baw. went up into the resort and walked up the Summit Trail before taking the village trail to the point where the non maintained trail to Mt St Gwinear veers off. At least half a meter of virgin snow smiled at us! Following the poles we did the 1.4 km to the intersection with the AAWT in nearly 1 1/2 hours (including plenty of photo stops!). The walk was awesome, despite the snow shoes sinking into the snow 10 - 15 cm's each step, sometimes more if vegetation was underneath. Off track snow shoeing is much better than groomed trails, but you probably only cover 1/2 to 3/4 of the distance in the same time, and it's much harder going. The groomed trails at Stirling were like a pleasant stroll, powder is awesome but slows you down. Being 4 pm by then (we had a late start, busy at Baw Baw and were forced to put chains on the Subi) we decided to turn around before running out of light. The 1.4 km were covered in 45 minutes this time and followed Village trail the other way this time. This was not maintained either though, slowing our progress. With darkness and fog setting in, and legs tiring, we battled on as quick as we could with visibility quickly getting worse. When the noise and lights of Baw Baw rose behind a hill, we knew we were close. If we would have been 15 minutes later, finding poles with the light of a head torch in foggy conditions could have been tricky.
Both these trips I'd highly recommend to beginning snow shoe-ers. But in saying that, go prepared! We've spend lots of money on water/windproof gear, 4 season tent, sleeping gear and the likes. Know where you are going and manage your progress. Don't hesitate to stop short of your goal if you run out of time, you're a bigger tool if you need to be rescued than if you turn around early and make it back safely.
One of the things I carry is a GPS, so that even in poor visibility I'd be able to keep my bearings. I've ordered a waterproof armband to carry it in, so that, strapped on my arm, I can find my way even in poor conditions.
This weekend will be Falls or Stirling again, and for as long as there is snow, I'm planning on being out there somewhere every weekend!!!!
Enjoy the white stuff!!!
they are not my best friends at the moment.
