While most grey nomads head north in search of winter warmth and sunshine, a hardy bunch of travellers are hitting the road with a very different agenda.
With temperatures plunging in much of the south, the ‘snow chasers’ are apparently out in force looking to get their chilly kicks at the coldest places they can reach.
The ABC reports that people have been flocking to the Stirling Ranges in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, where there has been two light falls of snow this week.
One of the ‘hot spots’ for the chill seekers has been Bluff Knoll, 100 kilometres north-east of Albany. Bluff Knoll is the state’s third highest peak and one of the very few places in WA that receives snow. On Sunday, the peak apparently received its heaviest falls in years.
Ayleen Sands, who runs the Stirling Range Retreat near the base of the range, told the ABC that she had been very, very busy.
“They’re all snow chasers … they come from Geraldton, Perth or the west coast,” she said. “They’re very happy, very thrilled about the idea of being so cold.”
Albany District Acting Manager Luke Coney told the ABC ranger patrols would be increased to cater for the influx of visitors, and he warned against ‘inappropriate’ clothing.
“We’ve had people try and come up with thongs, under some pretty severe weather conditions. You know, totally inappropriate really,” Mr Coney said. “I mean if people are looking to go up they need to be well-prepared with adequate clothing.”
· Are you a chill seeker? What’s the coldest temperature you have ever camped in? Comment below.
One weekend years ago on a farm at Boddington W A. our caravan club held a July rally. Why the hell Boddington, one of the coldest spots in WA
We were new to caravanning and with advice from one of our friends we put a layer of paper under the mattress. That helped keep the cold out but it was still freezing. Now we have a woollen underlay and more blankets