13 July 2003: Snowcraft - Mt Arthur Leader: Grahame Harris
Party: Roger & Anne McMichael, Gary Russell, Mary Young, Steve McGlone, Andrew Hutchinson, Andrew Stevenson, Mark Stevens, Jeanette Hansen
On a clear cool winter's morning we piled into two 4WD vehicles and arrived at the Flora Carpark. On the track to the Mt Arthur Hut we struck intermittent ice, starting quite low down. At the hut we had a brief snack and preliminary instruction on the ice axe. Then off to the higher regions, but just above the hut we struck snow packed hard on the track by myriad feet. It was slippery so we went to crampons immediately. Up on the ridge we did some preliminary practice in a small snowy gully, but then had to turn down the Salisbury track and go quite a distance up the Horseshoe Basin to find slopes firm enough and the right degree of steepness to practice sidling, climbing, self-arrests etc. At this point four fitter more experienced members formed their own party under the guidance of Steve,and sidled around under the bluffs before climbing a steep snowy gully to the summit. Mark said he was scared, but I'll bet he still grinned. Later the rest of the party also went direct up the side of the Gully to the track with their newly-learnt skills.
At the end of the day we gathered back at the carpark and headed for home, but on the way down we encountered a cow that had apparently fallen down a steep bank and was lying seriously injured by the roadside; one of our cars diverted to a nearby farmhouse to report the situation.
It was a pleasant group, including several prospective members of the Club. Several members expressed their enjoyment of their new experience. Thanks to Steve for helping with what was otherwise a rather big party for such an activity.