This will be the first time our club has ventured up to the Snowies, so it should be quite a time, we are very lucky to have Tony Hart as our ride leader, Tony's vast knowledge of the area insures a GR8 time and rides will be had by one & All.

Day 1: Sat 24th Nov Travel to Kosciuszko Natl Park, Old Camp via Tantangara Rd, Set Up Camp. See travel notes below.

Day 2: Sun 25th Nov Rideout 0900 Ride to Oldfields Hut, Goodradigbee Aquaduct & Gorge plus Pockets Hut. Estimated riding time 4.5 hours – saddle bag lunch.

Day 3: Mon 26th Nov Rideout 0900 Ride to and across Murrumbidgee River then onto Pedens Hut. Estimated riding time 4.5 hours – saddle bag lunch.

Day 4: Tues 27th Nov Rideout 0900 Ride to Coolemon Homestead & Blue Water Holes. Estimated riding time 5.5 hours – saddle bag lunch.

Day 5: Wed 28th Nov Rideout 0930 Ride to Currango Station. Estimated riding time 2.5 hours – lunch at camp, tonight is Black Peter Night.

Day 6: Thurs 29th Nov Rideout 0930 Ride to Harris’s Hut. Estimated riding time 4 hours – saddle bag lunch.

Day 7: Fri 30th Nov Pack Up travel home.

Please Note: There is an option to vary these days depending on circumstances, and/or to change a riding day to a drive to Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool, where we can swim, the water temperature is a constant 26 degrees.

Black Peter Night

Black Peter Night is a night of frivolity & fun. Come dressed as your favorite TV/Movie character. Prize for best male & female dress-up.

Bring along a wrapped present (present not to exceed $15 in value) suitable for a person who is the same gender as yourself.

Travel Notes

Heading to Sydney via the Hume Hwy. Take the Snowy Mountains Hwy exit just after the Wagga Exit. (Note the Snowy Mountains Exit is via the “Righthand Lane”.) You will then travel 157 klms via Adelong, Tumut, Talbingo, Yarrangobilly, Kiandra before turning left into Tantangarra Rd. Once on Tantangarra Rd it’s a further 36 klms to “Old Camp” alternatively known as “Goodradigbee Horse Camp”. Keep your speed below 40klms per hour due to road conditions on Tantangarra Rd.

Best place to refuel is Tumut. Last fuel stop is Talbingo on the Snowy Mountains Hwy, you will need to turn right to go into Talbingo then return back to the Snowy Mountain Hwy. (its not far off of the Hwy)

Enjoy the scenery, you will be travelling alongside Blowering Dam before Talbingo.

Humes Crossing Rest Area/Camping Ground is a good place to take the horses off before the final 2 ½ hour journey. It is located besides Blowering Dam and before Talbingo on your right hand side.

There is a steep & long ascent up Talbingo Mountain take your time when travelling up & down this stretch of road. (Recommend selection of 4WD when descending)

Turn left into Tantangarra Rd, (36 klms to Old Camp) this is a gravel road. Follow this road all the way down to the dam wall where the road branches to your right continue following the road which will take you across a single lane bridge. After crossing of the bridge select 4WD low as the next bit of road is a steep climb with a number of switch backs. Take your time!

We then continue to travel past Port Philip Fire Trail/Currango Station on Pocket Fire Trail before turning right into “Old Camp-Goodradigbee Horse Camp”.

Camp Notes

Yarding For the Horses - There are 2 reasonably sized, 5 strand wire paddocks to house our horses. You need to set up your own SMALL yards within these. Yards should be restricted to 15 x 15 metres in size and I recommend & encouraged you to build a 2-strand electrified yard. (Brumbies will visit our camp during the evening and early morning)

Horse Feed 

You will need to bring in your own horse feed. Please ensure any hay is weed free.

Water 

Tony Hart will provide a petrol-powered water pump to obtain water from the nearby Gurrangoramble Creek. This is near the yards and is to be used to provide water for the horses as well as to give them a wash if required. If anyone else has a petrol pump, please let me know and bring it along. I know some people also use this water for drinking purposes but I do not recommend this practice. Perhaps someone could also bring along a hose with a joiner? That would assist also.

Toilets 

There are 2 drop toilets within the camping ground, these are reasonably well serviced and clean.

Horse and Rider Fitness, You and your horse will require a reasonable degree of fitness, so preparation training is recommended, (and a must if you wish to enjoy this trip). You should ensure that all tack and saddlery is in good condition and fits your horse well. New tack should not be brought to this event. Horses should be adequately shod about a week prior to the ride. Those who ride bare foot will require boots on all 4 feet daily.

This is “Bring your own everything” camp. Food & drinking water. Suggest you develop your own meal menu for the week, this will assist in ensuring you only bring along what is required. Nearest town is Adaminaby about 1 ½ hours away.

NOMINATIONS & PAYMENT

Although this event is still many months away the Club asks that you nominate at your earliest convenience, (i.e. when you know you are going and have made suitable arrangements for time off etc.,) so that we can attend to the logistics of the trip. There will be a ride/camp fee for this event of $15 per member, and this amount should be paid into the Club Account with a reference to your name and number of persons accompanying you. E.g. SnowiesSalter3. (Partners and families are welcome).

The Club Account is with the Bendigo Bank, BSB 633-000 – Account 155 873 003. You should also email your nomination to Alan Salter at alg_salter@bigpond.com , with details of persons attending. Please note that nominations should not be made via Facebook. Enquiries to Alan Salter at alg_salter@bigpond.com or 0427 357 941