Overland track on July 8-13th

[Ricker]

Hey guys,

Just joined this forum and thought i'd post up my intentions and see if there was any advice in regards to snow shoes and directions whilst walking.
Heading out as a group of 7. We've all done multiple day hikes before, but none have done a winter wonderland one previously. So we have gone and purchased the necessary winter clothing. I know consider ourselves to have all the appropriate winter warmth layers
- down jackets, thermal fleeces, thermal underwear, nylon hike pants, wind/rain gear top and bottom, gaiters, goretex boots, gloves, beanie etc etc
- 2x 3 season tents (emergency shelter), huts will be free from what i've read, -9 celcius sleeping bags, thermarest mats, cooking gear etc etc.
- hiring PLB (can you hire direct at the visitor center? or shall I just hire online for $100 for 10 days?)

Ok so for the questions I have

- Snow shoes? is it just a matter of a much more difficult walk in the snowy parts if we dont have them? I have no idea where to hire them, had a look around up here in sydney online and couldnt find anyone renting them?
- Track visibility, how difficult is it to see where the track goes, is it a matter of compass and map, or is it well signposted even in the winter conditions we might get?
- Lighting the coal stoves in the huts. Is it worth bringing a "heavy" packet of firelighters to help us out here?
- skiing goggles, or just sunglasses?
- I do not own walking poles and have never needed them in the past. Figure as I wont know how to use them correctly they wont help all that much for this trip? Do people think their essential?
- Ice. Just how bad does it get, should I be looking into things like crampon spikes or something along those lines?

If you've got any more questions to get an idea of where were at in terms of preparation, ask away. But any help you can provide into getting us more prepared is most appreciated.

[dee_legg]

- Snow shoes? is it just a matter of a much more difficult walk in the snowy parts if we dont have them? I have no idea where to hire them, had a look around up here in sydney online and couldnt find anyone renting them?

I wouldn't bother. Generally speaking, it's only the first or last day (depending which way you walk) on the Cradle Plateau that gets enough snow to justify snowshoes so you would most likely end up carrying them a long way for little use. I was walking around this area mid last week when there was a reasonable snow cover but it was iced up (as usual for Tas snow) so snowshoes were fun but didn't actually help a lot e.g. you could easily walk on the hardened snow without sinking in with every step.

- Track visibility, how difficult is it to see where the track goes, is it a matter of compass and map, or is it well signposted even in the winter conditions we might get?

It's well marked with snow poles, boardwalk or markers. Take a map and compass for side trips and for curiosity (and emergencies) but I doubt you'll use them purely for navigation.

- Lighting the coal stoves in the huts. Is it worth bringing a "heavy" packet of firelighters to help us out here?

Can't comment much here as I've always busied myself with reading books or making tea when the heaters need lighting.

- skiing goggles, or just sunglasses?

Sunglasses- the chances of blizzard conditions are pretty unlikely and sunglasses are obviously much lighter and smaller to carry when not in use. I'd pair sunnies with a Buff (http://www.mybuff.com.au/) to give some more face protection if the weather is really nasty.

- I do not own walking poles and have never needed them in the past. Figure as I wont know how to use them correctly they wont help all that much for this trip? Do people think their essential?

I use and like poles but they certainly aren't essential.

- Ice. Just how bad does it get, should I be looking into things like crampon spikes or something along those lines?

Wouldn't bother. Tread carefully where needed but our ice doesn't set like water ice, it's just frozen snow so a good stomp usually breaks it up and allows for more traction if needed. Most of the ice on the tracks melts early in the day but if it's been really cold then just be careful! It's certainly not crampon territory though.

I hope that's helped you a bit and I hope you have a great walk!

[Miyata610]

July? I'd carry some Yowies. They don't weigh much. Rental via mail order if you don't own any. They have crampons. No biggy if you don't need them.

I'd take goggles. 80g maybe. No big deal.

I'd take poles. Helps enormously in snow. Nice in fine weather too.

It is unlikely, but a heavy dump will make the track impossible. If only for a few days. It does hide the markers.

Don't let any of this put you off.

Enjoy!!

[Miyata610]

.... our ice doesn't set like water ice, it's just frozen snow so a good stomp usually breaks it up and allows for more traction if needed. ...

I can't let this pass. It's not good advice. Conditions can change rapidly and Tasmanian ice is as hard and brutal as any. Winds will make it very very dangerous.

[Tortoise]

I'd take poles. Helps enormously in snow.

+1 Also give you more of a chance of staying on your feet if wind+++ or icy bits are thrown in

[gayet]

Don't count on the huts being empty. I know of a group of 5 - 6 going into New Pelion for 3 nights the weekend you are starting. Not via the Overland though.
They will be in place when you arrive. Nice friendly group and won't give you any problems. Its possible some of the other huts accessible from other routes will also be in use but highly unlikely they would be full.
I would agree with the comments re poles - very useful for finding the edge of duckboards when covered with snow, very useful in assisting traverse over slippery and wet areas. With the snow and variable temperatures the ground is likely to be wet if not frozen and a pole or 2 will help with stability.

I might see you at New Pelion

[lindsey]

We are starting next Thursday (6th) and will be taking yowies. Look forward to company in Pelion on Friday or Saturday

[Ricker]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So if I was to hire some yowies and/or some poles where could I do this from here in sydney? Anyone got an online shop or physical shop that rents these?

Or if I was to purchase a hiking pole, do people think 1 is enough. Like I thought I saw some hiking staff like poles, and then theres your normal small hiking poles in 2's.

Last question in terms of gear which I forgot to post up was:

Should I bring my snow gloves? I currently have just planned to bring some mountain hardware polartec stretch gloves.

[Miyata610]

It might be easier to hire in Tasmania.

Try theses people......

http://www.mountainbiketasmania.com.au/gear-pricelist

They will deliver to your pre walk accommodation I believe.

[Azza]

My 2c worth... its a bit like a lottery as to whether you really need snow shoes and them probably only going to be of any major assistance if your planning on climbing any of the peaks.
Ice wise - probably not going to be a big issue on the main track.
If you were going to climb Cradle, Barn, Ossa etc, then I'd be thinking about Ice Axe and maybe Crampons.
Backside of Cradle has a fairly trick section if under snow or ice. The side of Ossa can also be treacherous in Ice.
If your just going to zoom through the main track with no side trips I'd almost not bother with the Snow Shoes unless the weather forecast looks epic.

Track wise your really only looking at the Cradle Plateau and maybe Pelion Gap where your likely to encounter some snow in normal conditions.

[bailz66]

An example of a friend who attempted this last july

Group of 4 went up, I recommended to my mate to get Crampon's for his shoes as there was some bad weather before he left which he got.

He was the least experienced there.

WIthin 200 meters of starting out their leader went down on the ice and wrecked his ankle. Him and one of the others went back giving the tent to the other two to continue on.
Within 4 hours the one without crampon's had fallen over that many times that he couldn't go on.

Essentially be prepared for ice would be my recommendation

[Nuts]

On the main track the southern slopes can ice over. While heavy snow/ not having snow shoes will slow you down (perhaps for a night or two) many people struggle with the ice. It's possible to alter walking, walk around with practice so long as you don't have a nasty fall first. I'd take ice cleats by default, snow shoes if there is a lot of snow on the Cradle plateau or forecast but not essential (a couple of spare days, however, are a good plan). Yowies have a crampon (of sorts) and can be used in a pinch for iced over sections. I'm sure Ian would appreciate that you remove them when not Really necessary as the rock is hard on them.

I'd actually recommend an overnighter somewhere high for anyone who hasn't had much cold experience. Heavy packs, tight joints and ice (combined with the other elements of dealing with cold) can make a long trip a chore and steep learning curve.

Good Luck!

[DaveNoble]

- Snow shoes? is it just a matter of a much more difficult walk in the snowy parts if we dont have them? I have no idea where to hire them, had a look around up here in sydney online and couldnt find anyone renting them?
- Track visibility, how difficult is it to see where the track goes, is it a matter of compass and map, or is it well signposted even in the winter conditions we might get?
- Lighting the coal stoves in the huts. Is it worth bringing a "heavy" packet of firelighters to help us out here?
- skiing goggles, or just sunglasses?
- I do not own walking poles and have never needed them in the past. Figure as I wont know how to use them correctly they wont help all that much for this trip? Do people think their essential?
- Ice. Just how bad does it get, should I be looking into things like crampon spikes or something along those lines?

If you've got any more questions to get an idea of where were at in terms of preparation, ask away. But any help you can provide into getting us more prepared is most appreciated.

My advice is based on one winter OLT trip (July 2009) and a number of winter trips to the southern Reserve.

Snow Shoes - probably worth taking in case you get big dump of snow. We took snow shoes and didn't need them, but parties starting out a few days ahead of us found them very useful.

Track is quite well marked, even in snow

Lighting coal stoves - take some small bits of bike inner tube - small bits make good fire lighters and are very light and compact

Trekking poles - very useful for us. We had an icy track south of Pelion - and poles were very good to help with balance and to avoid slips

Ice - trekking poles helped when we had ice. But the only peak we got up was Pelion East. It was too icy to try Ossa or Acropolis. I now have some microspikes (see http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php). On future trips I think they would be ideal. Very easy to slip on and off when needed and they do help a lot - and a lot more compact and lighter than full crampons.

Dave

[JamesMc]

You should be able to hire snow shoes from major ski shops. Yowies are OK for going out to collect water etc, but that's about all IMHO. There are good reasons why snow shoes that hinge at the toe were invented a couple of hundred years ago. If you use snow shoes, you should also get poles. Hire telescopic poles from the ski shop.

Rig up a way to carry your snow shoes outside your pack cover, otherwise your cover won't sit right and your pack will get soaked.

Have fun. Come back and tell us whether ice stops leeches.
JamesMc

[Ricker]

Thanks for the websites! Will probably end up hiring some yowies for the trip. Won't be getting any poles as I'm pretty well balanced and never had a need for them before plus a couple of falls could be hilarious

Lookin forward to meeting all the ice creatures down there and getting my pack eaten by a currawong not to mention cracking some of my hair like in "cool runnings". See all the fun you can have in Tazzie during the winter

[TimG1]

Just got back from a three day trip into Pelion from Arm River to climb Ossa, 1 - 3 July. Heavy snow on the ascent of Ossa but none on the track to Pelion Gap. Very cold conditions result in very icy sections paticularly on the boardwalks. I agree with a previous comment this was not just snow but water frozen over the wire netting, very dangerous. Falls on this sort of ice with a full pack are not funny and I find one walking pole a great help to keep my balance. Have a great walk

Heavy snow on Ossa 2 July 2012

Short snowpole or lot of snow on Ossa

Cheers Tim

[Phil S]

I did the OLT a couple of weeks ago. I also recommend the Microspikes that Dave mentioned - they are surprisingly comfortable and very durable and are much easier to walk in than snowshoes on the non-boardwalked section. Don't buy the Petzl "Spikies", my mate had a pair and ground down the studs to almost nothing within the first half day. Whatever you decide, make sure they fit tight and tape your heals because the rubber rands will shorten the length of your boots slightly.

Mitts/Gloves: I used lightly lined overmitts most days - also had a pair of light polypro gloves that got very little use.

Sunglasses (polarised) are fine IMO.

Have fun - it's just gorgeous out there.

[Ricker]

Heres my clothing i'm taking. Wont be walking in the down jacket. Reckon I should be warm enough?

[bailz66]

You will be warm enough but have it somewhere easy to get to for when you stop

[cixelsyd]

Wow! 3 pairs of gruds! That's luxurious.

[Ricker]

You can never have to many gruds!

Well heading out today! Looking like quite a nice week weather wise! Hopefully we'll get a view from the top of cradle mountain. Taking a go pro so most of the trip will make itself into a video.
I'll be sure to post it up here on completion.

Well off I GO! adios!

[Kinsayder]

How did you go?