July 24 Razorback Tour

Another glorious day for a tour. The cold weather and sub zero temps have meant no freeze melt has occurrred yet, so the fresh snow from days ago has stayed soft and dry ... mmm.

Today six of us strapped shoes on our feet and headed out along the Razorback for a morning's snowshoeing. After checking out Bon Accord Spur, we headed back up to the ridge and out and down to the "Big Dipper", ther lowest point along the entire Razorback.

After climbing up the following ridge, we stopped for photos and water, then headed on back to the troopy at Diamantina, not forgetting to raise our "high heels" for the climb out of the Big Dipper.


Here's the group giving their snowshoe tour the "thumbs up."

Check out our walking tours at our website: www.soulfreeadventures.com.au

July 23 JB Plain to Tabletop

Well we've had a cold and windy week, so this morning after checking out the conditions along the Razorback, we decided the cold north westerly wind was blowing too hard and we headed south through the resort for the peace and sheltered tranquility of the Mt Tabletop walking track. Francis and Kym joined us today (here's Kym and Francis - above).

We enjoyed beautiful conditions heading across the snow plains from JB hut . We made it over half way to Mt Tabletop and had lovely views of this remote peak. The track was at times hard to follow but it always stood out, sort of sinking into the depression of the underlying trail.

Later this afternoon Andy filmed a short segment with the Foxtel program "Older, Wiser, Feeling Younger", being interviewed by the lovely Delmae and filmed by Christian.

Check us out on Foxtel this week! Here's the link: http://www.olderwiserfeelingyounger.com.au/

July 14 Snowshoe Blog Brandy Creek Mine

(above) Alison and Carol

With 34 cm of fresh and Hotham Central blanketed in cloud and buffeted by winds, we decided to head to the shelter of Brandy Creek Mine. Our meeting place does seem to be one of the coldest spots at Hotham!

Today we welcomed four lovely ladies for their first snowshoe tour with us: Alison & Carol and Lyn and Marina.

Though it was blowing a gale at Hotham, the track down to the mine site was lovely and sheltered. Lots of fresh animal tracks and the snowgums looked beautiful today wearing their fresh mantles of snow.

The dam looked a treat, partly iced over and layered in snow. Enjoy the pics!

Hotham is so good for variety; it's amazing how within such a short distance from Hotham, conditions can change so much.

Once the snow sets in, it's rare we
can't find somewhere suitable to go 'shoein.

(below) Lyn and Marina

Snowshoe Log 10 July

Today we welcomed a lovely group of eight for a delightful 2.5 hour tour out of Hotham. It was lovely to welcome back Lisa (and her friend Penny). Lisa was our first client when we commenced last year and loyally stuck with us for a week (thanks Lisa!) I hope you enjoyed yourself today Lisa! Here's Liz






Here's Leonie.

It was also great to welcome back Kathleen and Deb. Kathleen has enjoyed three tours with us this week and Deb two. Deb and Kathleen enjoyed a four hour backcountry tour with us along the Razorback on Thursday, and a here's Deb and Kathleen with the Razorback as a backdrop.

Here's Lisa and her friend Penny , two girls who like to have fun!

From Western Australia here's Ann Marie and her son Jake

Here's the group descending from Eagle Ridge. Later in the season a large cornice will form here.

Penny and Deb descending

At the conclusion of the tour we arrived back at a bitter and blowey Loch car park. We estimated the temperature with wind chill factor at minus fifteen degrees! So we hastened our return to a comparatively warm Hotham Central.

Full pictures from this and (and all our tours) can be seen on my Photo Bucket site here http://s482.photobucket.com/albums/rr184/telesoul/

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You can catch up with all our latest offerings on our website: http://soulfreeadventures.com.au/

Snowshoe Log: July 9

Another excellent day for touring around Hotham: crisp cold air keeping the surface firm, and clear air which lets you see for miles.

Today after a few cancellations from sickness - must be something going around Hotham this week ! we welcomed Kate and Jodie on their first snowshoe tour with us.

Here's Jodie and Kate having fun on Maclachans Shoulder. That's Marys Slide in the background.

Bracing, invigorating, just a couple of words to describe the feeling of snowshoeing in this lovely crisp clean cold air.

Snowshoeing in the mountains: a real mountain high!

Today we did an interesting tour around Hotham. After heading out to Loch, we skirted round past The Orchard
and along Spargos access, then ducked off down to Maclachans Shoulder.

After checking out theviews, we headed around to Spargos and One Tree Hill, where we bumped into a couple of telemark skiers: Mark and Dave, who kindly showed us their 'stuff' by skiing down the breakable crust of One Tree Hill.

Leaving One Tree, we headed off track to the top of the hill, from where we could see Derricks Hut as well as views of the Bogong High Plains.

After a quick breather to recuperate, we commenced the return jounrey, enjoying having the place all to ourselves early in the season.

We returned past Keoghs Bash to the top of The Ridge, and had a look at the 'extreme zone': The Ridge, Marys Slide, The Chute and Gotcha Ridge.

Extreme snowshoeing!





Above, Mary's Slide, the heart of Hotham's extreme terrain

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Hotham Central from Machlachans Shoulder.

Snowshoe Log 8 July continues

Mel, Kathleen and Deb obviously enjoying themsleves in Hotham's stunning backcountry.

Today's snowshoe tour was spectacular. Today we had Deb, Kathleen and Mel joining us. Here are some pics from today's tour starting with on the left, Mel, Kathleen and Deb on the eastern face of the Razorback

Here's Mel traversing

... Mel makes her way back along the Razorback ridgeline after Kathleen, Deb and I traversed around the lower eastern side of the face

Feathertop looking a treat from the top of our little known "alp"

To see all the pics from today's tour, follow our link to PhotoBucket:

http://s482.photobucket.com/albums/rr184/telesoul/

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http://www.soulfreeadventures.com.au/

To come snowshoeing at Hotham contact Andy:

m. 0488 477 271

e. andy@soulfree.com.au

Snowshoe Log July 8

Dear fellow snowshoers and mountain lovers, conditions have been superb these past three days. Sorry for the superlatives but the snow, the weather, the scenery, not to say the company have all been top shelf.

On Tuesday Roslyn, her son Peter, Tracey and I headed out to Mount loch. 360 degree views.

Here's Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest peak taken from Mt Loch.

We could see:

Mt Howitt, Crosscut Saw, Mt Buggery, Mt Speculation, Mt Cobbler, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Dargo High Plains, Mt Buffalo, The Horn, Cathedral Pinnacle, Mt Feathertop, the Fainters, the Jaithmathangs, Mt JIm, Mt cope, Bogong High Plains and Mt Bogong and the list goes on. Not a breath of wind. These could all be seen from the top of Mount Loch, only a short hike out of Hotham.

Next we rejoined the cat track out towards Spargos and headed off track for something special: Maclachlans Shoulder, a gorgeous little spot inside the resort not many know of. Here's the view across to Mary's slide from Maclachlans Shoulder:




This morning Wednesday we headed out along the Rzorback to a little known gem of a knoll off the beaten track.

Here's Deb and Kathleen traversing



More pics to follow in next post.

Check out all we have to offer here: http:www.soulfreeadventures.com.au

Soulfree Hotham Snowshoeing Touring

Well the Soulfree Blog's been down for a couple of days, so my apologies, but we're up and running again! Thanx Nitecruzer for your help.

Weather has been superb for snowshoe touring at Hotham these past couple of days :

Sun 5th July: we ran an afternoon Introductory Tour out along the Razorback to Bon Accord. This tour had a delayed start but worked out better as we had the most brilliant sunset to enjoy. This should have been a Champagne Sunset tour!

Mon 6th July: We ran a Half Day Tour out past The Orchard to Mount Loch, and then continued around to the eastern face of Machinery Spur. Here we had stunning views of Mt Feathertop, the Bogong High Plains, Mt Mackay, Mt Bogong, the Fainters and Jaithmathangs, Buller. We could see for miles! The top pic is of Kathleen yesterday. In the background is Mount Feathertop. This pic was taken from the eastern face of Machinery Spur yesterday morning. As you can see, it was looking in stunning condition!

Here is a pic of Joanna on Saturday as we haded out along the Razorback to Bon Accord.

The tracks coming down the hill in the background are snowboiarders' tracks.

By this stage the snow pack had developed a layer of crust on top and was not good for skiing. Good to see some melt freezes happening now to consolidate the snowpack and firm up conditions for touring.

We have Half Day Tours scheduled for today Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th July We will try and run a could of Introductory Tours over the coming weekend. If this weather continues, we'll be starting up our Champagne Sunset Tours for sure!

Fresh Snowfalls Blanket Hotham!!

Over half a metre of fresh snow has blanketed Mt Hotham in the past 48 hours!



It's still snowing and should snow for at least another 3 days, so the resort and backcountry have been transformed into a winter wonderland.



This is great news for backcountry aficionados : while this snow will start to cover up most of the heath and rocks, we still need to let it form a base before conditions ripen for snowshoeing. Heading out too soon into fresh snow can be hard work as you sink below your knees in the soft snow. Good for skiing but hard work slugging along the ridgelines and snow plains.



Following this first real season dump, we need to wait for a melt freeze cycle to come into play. This will firm the snow up and give us a solid base.



Once we get another 30cm - 50cm on top of this new base we'll be set and heading out to Feathertop will be on!



We have a Feathertop tour booked for Monday but this is on weather hold. I'd also be suspicious of the snow conditions this soon after a dump - so I'll head out along the Razorback over the weekend and check the conditions for you.

Skiers thinking of checking out the backcountry steeps remember, the snowpack hasn't stabilised yet and avalanche danger is high off the Razorback and eastern aspect of Machinery Spur. I'll dig a pit when I get time to check the pack out more closely.

Enjoy your turns everyone and I'll see you out there!

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Latest Press Release

New Shuttle Service Announced For Mount Hotham

*** View All Our Latest Press Releases Here: http://www.prlog.org/ ***

A new 4WD shuttle service now improves transport options for Mount Hotham resort guests, and will improve the safety of guests visiting the resort this winter.

The Great Alpine Road, which is used by most guests who visit Mount Hotham, is Australia’s highest and most exposed alpine road. Each year sees several accidents during the snow season, with the combination of snow, ice and poor visibility often proving too much for motorists.

The new service, being operated by Soulfree Adventures, utilises a 4WD vehicle well equipped to handle Hotham's often bleak conditions. Driver experience is crucial when it comes to handling Mt Hotham's snowy roads. Soulfree's drivers know the road well, driving it every day.

Andrew Reynolds, Soulfree's owner, also doubles as a driver and snowshoe guide. "Inexperience and a lack of respect for the road are often the determining factors", says Mr Reynolds, speaking of vehicle accidents. "Drivers need to slow down, fit chains when directed, and avoid sudden braking. Tailgating is also a problem on our hills, often resulting in bingles."

Soulfree's service certainly makes it easy for guests to get to Hotham safely. Guests can leave their vehicles in secure car parks in Harrietville, then have Soulfree drive them safely up the hill to their accommodation. This also means guests don't have to worry about having to fit chains; Soulfree's drivers take care of this as well.

With rugged looking tyres, a roof rack and an external ski basket, Soulfree's 4WD Toyota Troop Carrier certainly looks the part. "We can carry plenty of luggage", says Mr Reynolds, "I took a group of eight up on Monday and we still managed to fit all their luggage on board, and they weren't exactly travelling light."

So there you have it. If you are thinking of visiting Mount Hotham's skifields this winter, Soulfree can ensure you arrive there safely without the worry of negotiating icy roads, fitting chains, and leaving your vehicle to freeze in the snow for a week.

For more details, visit Soulfree's website at http://www.soulfreeadventures.com.au . Alternatively you can email Andy direct : andy@soulfree.com.au or phone : 0488 477 271 to make your bookings.

Blizzard Conditions Turn Hotham's Skiing Around

NEWS ALERT
Thursday 2 July


24CM OF FRESH SNOW TURNS CONDITIONS AROUND AT HOTHAM

Blizzard conditions at Hotham Alpine Resort have provided 24cm of fresh snow in the last 24 hours with predictions it will continue to snow until Sunday.

At 5am yesterday morning, the impressive but unwanted rain storm turned to an amazing blizzard, transforming Hotham into the winter playground; it is so well known for.

Len Dobell, General Manager of Operations said “If conditions continue like we’ve had, School Holiday makers should be confident they will be skiing great, groomed snow on the Summit, Big D and Village areas…and maybe even more.”

“It’s amazing how good these conditions are, they’ve turned around so quickly” said Dobell.

As in 2008, the week leading up to school holidays has been a mix of conditions, but Mother Nature again has pulled the good stuff out of her bag and provided the perfect conditions for the week ahead. Come on up to Hotham, enjoy the school holiday activities, great snow and value package deals.

To book a snow holiday call the Hotham Holidays team on 1800 hotham or email holidays@hotham.com.au
Guests can keep up to date with weather conditions on http://www.hotham.com.au/ or on their mobiles at http://www.hotham.mobi/

For further information or to request imagery please contact:
Gina Woodward, Hotham Skiing Company M 0400 223733


Gina Woodward│Sales & Marketing Manager
Mount Hotham Skiing Company Pty Ltd
PO Box 140
BRIGHT VIC 3741
p 61 3 5759 4464
m 0400 223 733
e ginawoodward@hotham.com.au
http://www.hotham.com.au/

I'm Going Snowshoeing: Do I Need a Guide?

So you've bought your snowshoes, practised strapping them on and are ready to head backcountry! Should you take a guide with you?

As a snowshoe guide, I get asked this question a lot. Generally, the answer goes like this: if you have to ask, then these answer's usually yes - you need to employ a guide. You know you're ready when you have measured your experience, knowledge and skills against a common yardstick. For me, that involves being an active member of an alpine Search and Rescue group, who are called on by police to assist in bush and alpine searches. My involvement and training with my peers reinforces and affirms what I know and what I can do and, more importantly, what I don't know and what I can't do. It's all about knowing your capabilities and knowing your limits.

Snowshoeing is basically bushwalking in the backcountry, so requires all the usual backcountry skills, such as navigation, first aid, etc as does bushwalking, with the additional requirement of knowledge of the intricacies of the alpine environment. That subject alone can take up a whole book!

Entering the alpine backcountry in winter is a serious proposition and should not be under estimated. The risks for the inexperienced and un(der)prepared are many: getting lost in a whiteout; hypothermia; enforced bivouac; and depending on the terrain you're in, potentially fatal slips down long icy slopes, to say nothing of cornice collapses and slab avalanches! And that's just here in Victoria, Australia. Until you are confident with your own ability to assess and mitigate these risks and ensure your safety and those of your group, you should seek out the services of an experienced snowshoe guide.

That way you can ensure you have a fun time snowshoeing the backcountry and most of all, will do so safely. That post snowshoe schnapps or beer is so much more enjoyable when you're not wearing plaster!

See you out there!

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How Easy is this Snowshoeing Thing Anyway?

It might sound like a cliché but if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Yes, it's that easy!

Guiding people snowshoeing opens your eyes to what a brilliant activity snowshoeing is for getting people out and about in the snow. Coming from a ski touring background, I was always aware of the need to build a solid skiing skills base before heading backcountry. With snowshoeing, after a few little pointers, you can strap them on your feet and head on out. Technical skills really only come into it when negotiating steep icy terrain, and traversing steeper slopes - these require a few skills to perform safely, so beginners should stay away from steep icy terrain, which should really be obvious to most of us!

To find out whether snowshoeing is for you, consult the following checklist:

Want to reconnect with nature? aCheck
Want to do something that keeps you fit? a Check
Want a break from the hustle and bustle of your ski resort? a Check
Want to see the snow up close and personal? a Check
Don't want to risk hurting yourself? a Check
Looking for a new fun way to lose weight this winter? a Check
Want a fun activity to do outdoors with friends? a Check

And there you have it. Snowshoeing ticks all the boxes.

In my next post, I'll talk about the need for a guide or relevant backcountry skills to ensure your safety out there.

Thanks for reading!

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