AAWT weather conditions in September?

[andyszollosi]

Hi all,

I am planning on walking the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) in its entire length next year (starting from Walhalla). I am currently deciding on a departure date. I would like to start the walk while there is still a decent coverage of snow so I can experience the harshness of the winter and then watch the transition to spring and eventually summer. I plan on taking three months, including side trips.

Does anyone have experience trekking in September in the victorian high country along the AAWT? Obviously the snow coverage is variable year by year, but what is the worst I can expect? Do i need snow shoes? Any other specialised gear?

Also, is there anyone else out there who has walked the track in one hit solo? I may need some more tips as i plan more of the details!

Thank you,
Andy

[Walking_addict]

You're in for an adventure Andy.

Our little group started the AAWT late spring, started from Walhalla on Nov 7th 2004.
There was still plenty of snow on the Baw Baw Plateau, and when we reached our food drop at Mt Skene, we walked in through a horizontal blizzard most of that arvo !!
All pretty close to Hypothermic, and our shelter was the Black Diamond megamid (with floor at least) but we all managed to get a warm feed, and settle into the bags, so all good from there.

Suppose you will face what you find, the usual outdoors scenario.

I've walked Bogong and around Spion Kopje with an overnight camping near Cope Hut in Winter and tried snow shoes . . . they're ok, but if I was facing snow you will likely face, I'd be considering very short skis of sorts if possible.
Some sort of light ski boot or CC binding ?
Not sure about that, have never really investigated those sort of options.

We saw only one through walker on our WHOLE trip, just near Mt Hotham, he was walking south in one hit.
Virtually no others on the entire AAWT, but then we always walk such tracks off season.

[north-north-west]

Early spring is just about THE worst time for bushwalking in Australia. The weather is generally at its most unpredictable & changeable. There will be snow - very deep drifts sometimes - over parts of the Baw Baw, and most of the stretch from MacDonald to Wills South, plus on the Main Range and through the Jagungal Wilderness.
If you're prepared for what you will encounter, it will be brilliant. If you aren't it could be deadly.

I've done all of these bits in winter/early spring, and it's fantastic country but changeable. I've never gone up there that time of year without snowshoes, but that's a lot of weight to carry all the way. But you will need something to deal with the amount of snow you'll find in some sections.

[Mark F]

Each season brings it's challenges.

I walked Tharwa to Bogong starting 12 December - wet year. I faced very high water levels on the river crossings - any higher and I would have been looking for alternate routes or staying put. 22 December snowed in at Grey Mare for a day and couldn't use the Main Range route to Thredbo.

I agree that starting September is an "interesting choice". Check snow depths in NSW for different years here - http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/water/snow-depths-calculator/. You will find that snow depth often peaks in early September.

Autumn is usually the driest time so water - particularly though to Bogong may be the challenge if starting in February/March.

When I do it again I plan to start about mid November and finish before Christmas.

[andyszollosi]

Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

Walking addict, sounds like you guys had an adventure too! I'll be hoping to do some winter hiking in SW tassie this year to prepare myself for the weather extremes! But first i need a stronger tent, haha! I will look into lightweight skis.

North north west, sounds like i will be buying some snow shoes then. I can always leave them at one of the food drop points once most of the snow has melted so i dont have to carry them all the way!

Mark F, just over one month seems quite ambitious, how big would an average day be with that kind itinerary? Im leaving three months for myself and will be looking at filling out the time with side trips and rest/exploration days. Perhaps pushing it back a couple of weeks may be a good idea, towards mid to the end of september. As long as i dont miss out on the snow!!

Thanks, any further comments are welcome!

[madmacca]

I like the idea of experiencing the full range of conditions in a single walk.

At mid September, you will likely be experiencing 20-50 cm of snow at Baw Baw plateau 1500 m, same deal into early October over Bogong High Plains (1700-1800m), and early November on the Main Range (1900-2000m). Walking in this depth will involve postholing - doable for short drifts, but very fatigueing and very slow for any extended distance.

If you left things until early October, you will still encounter snow, but depths will be less, and perhaps doable without skis/snowshoes.

But if you really want to experience the full range of conditions, equip yourself properly, skill up for winter conditions (perhaps join a club that has winter alpine walks), and leave in early September.

But the (full length of) AAWT also involves extended walking at lower altitudes (snow will generally be long gone at even just 1200 m), where you will have to carry your skis/snowshoes. And one aspect of early season walking is that you will encounter much fallen timber across the trail. IMHO, carrying snowshoes while ducking under/climbing over fallen trees, or just through overgrown sections in general, is much easier than carrying skis. I'd be interested in others opinions on this issue.

Apart from skis/snowshoes, the only other specialized equipment is probably a warm sleeping bag (down to -10C) and insulated mat. Extended winter trips will lead to a buildup of body moisture in your sleeping bag over several days, which can significantly degrade performance, so some spare capacity in your bag is important. Too warm a bag (especially into November) can also lead more sweating, and thus more moisture. A rest day at a hut

With careful site selection, a good 3 season tent is probably a better option than a 4 season tent, especially into November (too warm). Combine with a bivy if you think spindrift will be an issue.

[andyszollosi]

Thanks mad macca for a comprehensive answer.

That's a good tip about a warmer sleeping bag, I'm a cold sleeper anyway. Too warm and you can always unzip!

Why do you recommend a 3 season tent over a 4 season? To reduce condensation during the warmerr nights? I've used a 4 season tent for 5 years now, in all conditions and haven't had any problems. I feel a 4 season tent would give me some peace of mind if I did have to set up camp on an exposed ridge in foul weather.

On that note, can anyone recommend a lightweight waterproof bivvy as emergency shelter? (If my tent gets torn apart in a blizzard for example...)

Thanks,