1week to go...

[Smeagle]

woo hooo one week to go till my 300km aawt showshoe epic, (was going to be whole aawt but *&%$#! work needs me back by sept, so half will do) ok excitement rush over

[perfectlydark]

Thats awesome, I can only dream. Have fun!

[Ellobuddha]

Smeagle,

Was that you heading out for some practise from Dead Horse gap about 4/5 weeks ago. In a hilux.We came back from out Cascade way as you were heading out. Was talking to you about my Rab jacket. You were saying you used a bivy?


In any case, good luck mate.

[Smeagle]

Smeagle,

Was that you heading out for some practise from Dead Horse gap about 4/5 weeks ago. In a hilux.We came back from out Cascade way as you were heading out. Was talking to you about my Rab jacket. You were saying you used a bivy?


In any case, good luck mate.

Yeah bud would have been
Small world

[Ellobuddha]

Was snowshoeing out at Bobs Ridge today. Plenty of snow.

Im jealous.

Good luck mate.

[GBW]

Sounds like fun. What section are you doing and would you share your food drop arrangements.

[CoolBreeze]

That is awesome!

What bivvy are you using, is that under a tarp too?

[Ellobuddha]

Smeagle,

What snowshoes are you using? How do you rate them?

[Smeagle]

That is awesome!

What bivvy are you using, is that under a tarp too?

Im still tossing up weather to take my integral design (rab now own them under ridge master in shelter section) bivy, thus i don't use under a tarp as its like a cross breed of tent/bivy, never had any dramas, it freezes over nicely and stays consistently warm, there is poles with it, but they arnt needed if you like the fabric against your face, packs up to about the size of a jetboil....

otherwise I'm taking my mountain hardware eve, for the comfort and space during storms etc with the only downfall being walking threw the sub forrest regions as it rains, as its not per say completely waterproof but more catered to the dry snow, can handle wet snow, but must wait for sun to dry out, considering 80%+ of my time will be above the snow line its a flip a coin, as weight is only double of the bivy, yet it has the comfort during storms...

or the option is i could tie both

Smeagle,

What snowshoes are you using? How do you rate them?

Im using tubbs expeditions 36" , have been for two/three seasons now never had to replace a pin or connection at all, they are kinda beefy and long but due to my weight and pack weight they suit my profile quite well, I'm not sure but you might have seen em that day in the carpark, Ellobuddha?... If i was to use the ever popular msr ones etc id just be post holing my way around, and i have crampons for that, the only down side of the tubbs i have felt is i would like to have my feet sit all little (as in like 2-3 cm) back from where they seat now, and more time on them rather them clumsy footing around for the first 30 min lol till i get my rhythm back, they float quite well and rarly go past ankles on soft snow, unless digging away all the powder to find traction

Sounds like fun. What section are you doing and would you share your food drop arrangements.

I'm doing hotham to perisher, throwing in the aus ten at the kosi main range to finish off,if time permits i may continue onto Tharwra i have multiple side trips planned and follow the aawt 80%, food drops which will be a sad day more so than joyous due to digging them out seeing as such a good start to season are just located in the same areas of the John Chapman guidebook, consist of 5 day 10 day 7 day 5 day plus 7 days on me, i have also scattered things in random places as i ve been doing the track in segment over last 4 months, and thought if i might need something in them areas, apart from that pretty straight forward,

all i wish is that i had of started last month that way i could accommodate the whole track, but also wasn't expecting work to call me back either so it happens and we move on

[Ellobuddha]

What weight are you fully loaded with winter gear pack?

I was using MSRs yesterday - Evo Ascent 22. They were fine for the snow we got yesterday but up on the main Range i think I would be in trouble big time. Im 95 kg plus pack.

[Smeagle]

What weight are you fully loaded with winter gear pack?

I was using MSRs yesterday - Evo Ascent 22. They were fine for the snow we got yesterday but up on the main Range i think I would be in trouble big time. Im 95 kg plus pack.

im 75kg plus 30-40kg depending on food water , bit more if i take ropes etc and on time length, i have a lot of crap lol thats with all clothing in bag too and equipment not being worn or used

[Ellobuddha]

Wow thats a big pack!

Definitely makes me think I should get a lot bigger snowshoes

[Smeagle]

Wow thats a big pack!

Definitely makes me think I should get a lot bigger snowshoes

i dunno always had em don't phase me no more lol, think my back will pay for it when older lol always carry spare water and food thats not to be touched etc but yeah prob overkill and some creature comforts,

[The Perambulator]

Was snowshoeing out at Bobs Ridge today. Plenty of snow.

Im jealous.

Good luck mate.

Hi,
Did you see the snowshoe tracks I made at about 10am Sat on my way to Cascade hut? Left today about 8 and got to Dead Horse car park around 12- tough slog back/ lack of fitness.(Triton with ACT plates in the car park)

[Ellobuddha]

Saw a couple of sets actually. There was a girl walking back. That we crossed with near dead horse. How were the snow levels out at the hut?

[The Perambulator]

The track was covered in snow up to last river crossing then became patchy for about 500m,before reverting to continuous again. The area around the hut had about 99% coverage. Going out the snow was firmer up to Bobs Ridge and softer out to the hut, coming home it was the reverse. Coming down off Bobs Ridge took longer than the pull up to Bobs Ridge. The girl must have been up there after me, today there appeared to be about 6 different sets of snow shoe tracks.

[Ellobuddha]

It was pretty busy out there yesterday.

[Smeagle]

interesting weather for start of a hike i must admit

[GPPJ]

Cheers to you and I hope its a wonderful trek. All the best.

[Ellobuddha]

Good luck Mate. Im sure you will have a ball. Looks a bit cool for the first few nights. Enjoy and we look forward to hearing all about it here.

Paul