In Search of Snow
Date and time: 9:00am, Saturday 24th June to 5:00pm
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
Hopefully Snow If Not Mud: A day trip searching for snow somewhere east of Marysville. That’s the extent of the plan because it’s dependent on weather and whims. If there is lots of snow we’ll battle our way to the top, build snowpeople, throw it around, put any kids on toboggans and push them off – generally they come to halt somewhere in Lilydale. If there’s minimal snow we’ll just pass by and admire the view. If there’s no snow then I’m quietly confident of a mud forecast so pretend it’s white but no throwing allowed. I have tracks in mind but that could well change at any time; this trip is random, exploratory and made up as we go as per my usual travel style, depending on who we have and what they feel like doing.
Weather: Alpine environment so I’m tipping it’ll be both cold and wet. Bring appropriate clothing. And wear it too.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if you vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
Minima - all-terrain tyres, at least a handheld UHF radio, shovel, gloves, saw (Fiskars are great) because we may well need remove trees due to snowfall.
Preferred – recovery ramps eg Maxtrax x4, chains for the tyres, chainsaw.
Ideal - Chinook.
Additional Equipment required: If we need camping gear something’s gone wrong, but food and drinking water for the day. No camper trailers, pets, firearms, animal traps or explosive devices. Radio controlled 4x4s welcome.
Maps and Reference Material: Big River – Rubicon – Woods Point Forest Activities Map (1:50,000) or topo equivalent of the area south of Eildon.
Trip Standard: Can’t say really, sorry. If there’s not much snow or rain the tracks will be relatively easy and I’ve driven them in the likes of a Santa Fe. If there’s two metres of snow then yeah, probably say that’d fall into the tougher side of 4WDing where we had to recover a Patrol on 37s (with my Ranger on 31s, just saying, #picklaline).
Fuel: a full tank ex Healsville, or brim it at Marysville if you drive a shortie petrol Wrangler or anything Suzuki.
Distance: Approx. distance from 150km of mainly low range driving.
Duration: 1 day, ish
Convoy limit: 5 vehicles
Meeting arrangements: Marysville Bakery departing 9.00am sharp, look for the orange Ranger. If you plan to get coffee beforehand then you will need to arrive earlier. We will aim to finish about 5.00pm.
Trip Leader: Robert Pepper robert@peppernet.org. 0408 226354
