Great little adventure. Riding through that storm front along the lake was a bit exciting (and very wet). Bikes were being blown all over the road. The bloke on the Suzuki turned and headed for home after being blown onto the wrong side of the road at one stage, and the bloke on the Yamaha headed for home from Walwa, leaving just five BMWs.
Heading into that snow in the late afternoon was scary, knowing that it was snowing down to 600 metres and we had a 1000 metre pass to get over before getting to Geehi. As the snow got thicker and the 'Ice on Road' signs became more frequent, and cold water began trickling down towards the family jewels, I did have a moment of regret - particularly since I had failed to get around to sealing the known leak in my rain pants. Heated grips made a difference, but I need drier gloves.
Riding in the snow was surprisingly easy, considering. It's important to stay as upright as possible, keeping the momentum happening while staying relaxed, carefully avoiding sudden movements - it all seems to work.
The hut at Geehi is a cracker. Here's a pic taken last summer. Seeing it with all the snow on the surrounding hills as the mist cleared was quite breathtaking.
I didn't get the camera out at all, but have some great pictures in my head. An unforgettable experience - great company provided by some of the best bullshitters in the business. I think it is important for blokes to have adventures. Surviving potentially perilous conditions in reasonable comfort is very satisfying.
Speaking of winter riding, I've been upgrading my gear - bought a new lightweight and compact tent, sewed an ultralight tarp, and bought a lightweight Exped air mattress to replace the bulky mattress I was carrying. Here's a couple of campsite pics with the new accommodations, taken last week when I rode over the Omeo Highway to the southern coast. This one at the Walnuts - a camp a few of us made use of last summer. I stayed here for two frosty nights, very comfortably.
This camp was at a friend's property on Raymond Island (in Lake Victoria, near Bairnsdale). Plenty of rain and I was high (ahem) and dry under the tarp. The tarp is made of Silnylon with catenary cuts on all the edges. You can stretch it as taut as you want, without wrinkles, and make it any shape you want to suit the conditions. It scrunches down to about the size of a can of beer, but is very strong and very waterproof.
And here's a nice pic of Brunhilde on Mount Wills on the way home. This section was covered with snow a few days before, but rain had washed it all away for my homeward journey.
I really like winter riding and camping. It's all about having the right gear and making considered preparations. But now it is time to start preparing for a bit of adventure UpNorth on the Spring Buds run. You have warmth up there, I think.
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....you boys have some big balls...and probably tight a-holes Rodin' in the white stuff....good stuff!