The STSA Committee met this week and approved purchase of materials and logistics for this weekend’s working bee at Mt Mawson Ski Field. Several Committee members intend to be on the mountain on Saturday doing preparatory work, but the actual working bee kicks off at 10 am on Sunday.
The main task will be getting materials up the mountain for two key improvements on the Mawson run. The first task will be erecting the new pole to assist the tow rope travel up over the snowdrift that forms at the top of the Mawson run – hopefully meaning that clubs will no longer have to dig a “skier trench” to get skiers and boarders to the top of the run at the start of each day’s tow operation. We are fortunate to be able to re-use an existing pole which has been lying on the ground at the top of the Mawson run for many years.
The second project is linked to the first, and arises as a result of a Ski Patrol First Aid Exercise conducted last season (see October 17th 2025 post under “Ski Patrol News”). That exercise identified that to ensure a rapid response to a patient injured on the ski field it would be much better to have an Akja Rescue Sled positioned at the top of the run ready to be deployed. The problem with this idea up until now has been that getting the Akja up through the “skier trench” is very difficult. With the elimination of the need to dig that trench as a result of the new pole, we can now construct a suitable Akja shelter attached to one of the existing snow fences at the top of the run.
Ski Patroller Phoebe Nash brings the ajka and blankets back to base
There will also be sundry maintenance items and pre-season safety checks to undertake, but the most important item will be getting timber and other items up the hill for the two projects described above.
A Hobart Walking Club Representative will be at the Lake Dobson Gate on Sunday to let working bee volunteers through between 9:45 am and 10 am. There is an excellent weather forecast for Sunday so come on up and get involved!
