As we get close to the annual Victorian Backcountry Festival, there are still spaces available in a number of the tours and workshops.

There will also be some low key nature immersion tours, which are being offered by Protect Our Winters (POW) and Friends of the Earth (FoE).

These tours are free, but everyone attending the festival should purchase a weekend pass (which costs $31.25).

This pass is valid for the whole festival weekend. It gives you access to festival activities including the Friday Night Launch Party, the Saturday and Sunday evening Speakers Program, film screenings and the Avalanche Rescue Competition.

All details about the festival walks (which happens from August 30 – September 1 at and around Mt Hotham resort), and tickets for these are available on the festival website.

Saturday – FoE Nature Walk

Free

Details

This wander will explore the valley and forests below Eagle Ridge on snow shoes. The Victorian high country has a wealth of unique animals and plants and we will travel through burnt and recovering snow gum woodlands, learn about the fire history of the area, and enjoy the slow travel options that are presented by snow shoeing. If you’re interested in doing your first easy to access backcounhtry skiing and riding, we can introduce you to the slopes of Eagle Ridge so you can return later and ski or ride on your own.

Leaving from Loch shelter at 10am. You will need your own snowshoes (these can be hired from the Hoys stores). It would be wise to pre book them. You will need warm gear to put on while we rest, suitable clothing for the conditions, sunglasses or googles, snacks and water. There will be a solid climb of about 25 minutes back out of the valley to the Loch shelter.

 

Sunday – POW Australia’s Nature Immersion Tour

Free

Details

Come for an easy tour (snowshoe, skin or cross country) out to Christmas Hill where we look at the environment around us and experience it in new ways. We invite you to form a deeper connection to our surrounding nature through scientific, artistic and personal ways of engaging. Bring a pencil/pen and a few pieces of paper and a clipboard or something to lean on.

Sunday 1st Sep 11 AM start, 1 PM finish At this stage we are planning on leaving from Wire Plain (Bus Stop 12) and returning to it potentially as well as Bus Stop 11 (harder) depending on group ability.