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