From the History Pages
Impromptu Snow Trip – Licola Saturday 3 rd June , 2000
Peter , Grant , Brett & Renee Cooney ( Trip Leader ) ( 538 ) Mark , Lauren & Michelle Kosach ( 533 ) Alberto , Florita , Joshua , Gemma & Jalicia Pamintuan ( 875 ) Lachlan Watts & Peta Elliot and their 2 nephews ( 720 )
Maverick Patrol Patrol Pajero
After such a wonderful weekend at the snow the week before I decided to run an impromptu trip this weekend and posted a notice on the internet and sent some emails to club members . We soon had a small group interested in a day trip to the Howitt High Plains north of Licola . We met at Pakenham McDonalds and were on our way after the obligatory pancakes for breakfast . The group travelled in convoy down to Traralgon and on to Licola where a morning tea stop was called and some hired toboggans from the general store . We proceeded North up past Bennison Lookout and Tamboritha saddle where we sighted our first snow . We drove through snow for quite a while until we arrived at the old quarry site just before the big yellow gate which marks the start of the seasonal closure of the road . Although the gate was up the snow was fairly deep here still and there is nowhere much to park further on so we used the quarry as our base . The children were soon out of the cars and into snow ball throwing mode . The snow was quite crusty on top and as you walked on it , it almost kept you on top but broke through as your weight was applied with each step , dropping down about 1 foot to the firm ground below . This made walking on it quite interesting . The toboggans were given a good workout as well although no large slopes were around here so we promised them we would search for a better sight after lunch .
Lunch was had in beautiful sunshine and even though it was obviously cold it certainly wasn ’ t noticeable . After lunch saw the erection of fortifications by two opposing teams who then threw snowballs at each other for a while before demolishing each others bases . We packed up and then headed off in search of a better slope for the toboggans . Another group had come up to where we were via a smaller track called Kelly ’ s lane and said it was a nice drive , so it was agreed we would do that in reverse . Down we headed and soon we found a likely spot for the toboggans . Well it was steep , but maybe a bit too much so . The children were sliding down the hill in just their ski gear the toboggans went too fast , or was it they stopped to quickly at the end . We moved on and stopped for a play at a couple of other places after visiting Kelly ’ s Hut along the way . It was starting to get dark so we packed up and headed for home around 4.30 .
A great day was had by all , definitely the children . Peter Cooney ( 538 )