By Jane B

Diamonds Snow Camp adventure 15-17 September 2023

“Treat yourself to an overnight adventure in the snow and experience the wild beauty of the winter alpine environment including a trip to the top of Mt Kosciuszko at 2228 metres!

Camping provides a unique opportunity to watch the sunset over snow-covered mountains before you settle down for the night in your warm four-season sleeping bag. Learn essential skills for the wilderness: where and how to set up camp, build a snow shelter, how to cook a hot meal and drink, navigate, group management, hydration and how to prevent hypothermia.” Mike Edmondson (our mountain guide)

Seven intrepid Diamonds and our wonderful guide Mike headed up the mountain from Dead Horse Gap with our full packs topped up with shovels, neo overboots and snowshoes.

Four hours later we reached the SnowGum forest and set up camp.

Shovelling, scrapping and flattening snow, building ice block walls, digging out our vestibules (best thing ever) and building our toilet (that we forgot to make gale proof!).

Both nights we created an ice bar with bench seats and tables to cook, eat and share stories around.

Day two was an 8 hour return trip across the snow to Mt Kozi – we had the mountain to ourselves as only Diamonds are strong enough to handle 80km winds.

It was very surreal & magical.

Little explorations around the campsite took us to ledges overlooking Thredbo Village, defunct weather stations & the beautiful Snow Gums.

Our giggle moments included:

· watching us topple like dominos in the wind

· toileting in 80km/hour winds (next time our landing strips will be much larger!)

· jet boiling in our ice bar tent

· waking to an ice rink

· chasing beanies and hats

· loosing our legs in the snow (and needing help to retrieve it)

· popping our snowshoes on/off/on/off/on/off

· stunning sunsets and sunrises

· animals at night near our tents

· wind howling like a freight train over our tents at night

· modelling for a professional photographer

· sliding down Mt Kozi

· repacking in 15 minutes (after spending 3 days packing before the trip)

· & mastering the perfect ice block.

We had a magical time. Learnt lots about ourselves, each other & nature. Worked together & created lifelong memories.

Kalina helped us to prepare & supported us on the track beautifully. Mike described us as organised & adventurous and we were proud. Diamonds through & through.