mid-May questions

[bernieq]

I’m contemplating an out-of-season stroll down the Overland Track mid-May so I’m looking for some input. The (as yet very loose) plan is to fit in as many side trips as possible.

What is the recommendation re the need for snowshoes? I’m guessing that, down the main track, the need would be (normally) unlikely in May – but what about getting to the peaks?

Does anyone have a general idea about the numbers likely to be walking the track mid-May? I see bookings for the last week of April are minimal.

[sthughes]

Could be anything. I did it in late May/Early June last year, with no sight of snow and only one day in 8 was intermittent light rain. However a few weeks ago the snow was over knee deep at Pelion Gap and no doubt deeper on the mountains. In May I wouldn't plan to take snow shoes even for the summits, but I'd look at the forecast before leaving and re-asses as necessary. It really could be anything.

I'd guess there would be a few people about in May as it is the first month when you dont have to pay the fee (at least until next year). In late may we met 2 largish school groups and probably about a dozen or so others, never had a hut alone and only Echo Point was shared with less than 3 others. Again it will depend on the weather to, plenty of locals will put it off if it looks dodgey.

[bernieq]

Thanks sthuges - yes, I understand conditions vary and certainly we'll reassess just before the trip. We tend to use huts for meal-prep and tents for sleeping - unless the weather turns nasty. A tent is often warmer than a hut, anyway (if you've slept in Federation Hut on Mt Feathertop in winter, you'll know)

[corvus]

Always have been curious about this comment as to being warmer in a Tent in minus temps rather than a hut ,if in a good sleeping bag what exactly is the difference please and yes I do understand space and volume of air
corvus

[Ent]

Hi Corvus

I can at least give some figures on this based on Mount Field trip. Outside temp was -5, in the hut it was -4, in my vestibule it was -3 and in the inner tent 0 degrees. Basically the inner of the tent help hold my body heat with the vestibule holding some. I believe that the Yurt was -3 so about the same as my vestibule. Of course even a light breeze can dramatically change the numbers. It from memory was a still night. Basically a well sealed double tent acts as an extension of the sleeping bag. Of course a decent mat and sleeping bag and you will be right anyway.

Generally speaking a solid -5 comfort rating sleeping bag or better with sensible mat is a very good idea and make either a hut or a tent comfortable. Being able to keep things dry is critical and a hut may actually help do this more than a tent.

Cheers

[ILUVSWTAS]

Always have been curious about this comment as to being warmer in a Tent in minus temps rather than a hut ,if in a good sleeping bag what exactly is the difference please and yes I do understand space and volume of air
corvus

Then sir, you answered your own question.

[Son of a Beach]

The chances of needing snow shoes on the OT are very slim, even in winter. I've done it in several times of year, and carried snow shoes once, and skis another time. The snow shoes were very useful on that one trip, but we could have gotten by without them (would have been somewhat harder though).

Having said that, the areas that hold the most snow are around Cradle Mtn itself, and then a short section over Pelion Gap. But Cradle plateau by far the most. If you are going North to South, you will be able to get a good idea of the weather and snow conditions for that first day before you leave. If there is no snow for that area, and none forecast for the next few days, then I would not bother taking snow shoes. Even if it doesn't end up snowing the chances of needing them are quite slim.

If you are walking South to North, then it's a lot harder to predict as it will be the last day that really matters for snow. However getting huge drops of snow that require snow shoes in May is unlikely.

[bernieq]

Thanks SoB. I had thought that in May it would be an unlikely need (and we will reassess a few days before) but a measure of confirmation from those who frequent the area is valuable.

Always have been curious about this comment as to being warmer in a Tent in minus temps rather than a hut

Corvus, I understand where you are coming from – inside a bag is inside a bag (whether inside a hut or a tent). However, the temperature and moisture content of the air mass surrounding the bag does have an impact on the sleeping experience. Unless the hut has heating that can last through the night (or very good insulation), my experiences confirm my preference for a tent. Still, it’s a balance of a number of factors – rat-proofing, heating, rain, wind, sleeping surfaces, # of people in the hut.

[leithel]

I'm doing the Overland Track for the first time this month too. Starting out at Cradle Valley on the 13th. Fingers crossed for some good weather. Wouldnt mind a bit of snow to be honest......

[bernieq]

Yeah, snow overnight on the tops and fine sunny weather each day with gentle zephers - we wish :)

Have fun.

[Overlandman]

I'm doing the Overland Track for the first time this month too. Starting out at Cradle Valley on the 13th. Fingers crossed for some good weather. Wouldnt mind a bit of snow to be honest......

Your wish has been granted, plenty of snow
Hope bernieq has snow shoes after reading Son of a Beach
" The chances of needing snow shoes on the OT are very slim"

Regards Overlandman

[bernieq]

Your wish has been granted, plenty of snow

We’ve decided against the snowshoes – not withstanding forecast snow over this weekend. I guess, Overlandman, you're telling me that the region has had a dump??

Not wanting to put the mozz on it, but the weather is looking pretty good after Monday for the next week or so. Cold, to be sure, but clear skies and light winds. Rain and wind for maybe a day or so (perhaps just overnight, if the timing works in our favour) and then a return to clear and cold – the tea-leaves never lie :))

[bernieq]

The walk concluded, I can report on the weather encountered :
Wet, in a word – with some wind, snow, low cloud and very little sun – the tea-leaves have let us down (could have been worse :)

Cradle Mt from Hanson's Peak - May 2012

First day to SK Hut over Hanson’s Peak was dry enough although cold as expected, snow from the previous Saturday still on the ground. From there, the weather slowly deteriorated each day with a little more drizzle tending to rain showers. We made it to the base of Barn Bluff in the hope that the fog would clear but no such luck.

climbing from SK Hut to Cradle Cirque - May 2012

Cancelled the side trip to Mt Oakleigh – at 1pm the crags were clear, although it was raining at Pelion Hut and we predicted cloud would move in by the time we hit the summit.

Light drizzle the next day turned to snow as we walked into Pelion Gap but we decided to give Mt Ossa a go (even though the summit was obscured). Past Mt Doris, snow increased as we ascended, becoming crusty and soft underneath – every few steps we broke through to varying depths. Slow progress and thickening cloud made us begin to question the sense of proceeding – ice under thin fresh snow convinced us to retreat. Pelion East was clear as we descended from Ossa so a new target was set. More ice on the final ascent called for great caution but we summitted just in time for the cloud to roll in !

Retreat from Mt Ossa - May 2012

Arrived for an early lunch at Pine Valley Hut in persistent rain and increasing wind so cancelled the side trip to the Acropolis, deciding on a wander through the Labyrinth the next day. Unfortunately, light but constant rain and high winds saw us turn back after a desultory inspection of Lake Cyane.

The slog to Echo Pt in constant rain for a late lunch had us questioning our decision to walk out rather than take the ferry. To rub it in, the ferry arrived, unbidden, at the jetty with a load of day-trippers with just enough room if we wanted a lift.

It was fortunate that the walk out to Cynthia Bay was in dry weather with a wan sun at least trying to break through the low cloud – very pretty Beech forest, mosses and fungi, waterfalls and side streams aplenty for us to appreciate.

[whynotwalk]

Still looks awesome bernieq

Despite - or maybe because of - the weather, I bet you'll be talking about the trip for years to come!

cheers

Peter

[corvus]

G'day bernieq,
Thanks for posting your trip report it will help to let less experienced walkers understand Tasmanian weather in the Mountains (I hope )
corvus

[Overlandman]

Thanks bernieq,
Were there many people walking the track? Locals or mainlanders / overseas?
Regards Overlandman

[bernieq]

Were there many people walking the track? Locals or mainlanders / overseas?

A couple of school groups (14 and 12) - met on the track rather than in a hut.
A few small groups of 2-4 (French, Swiss, German, US and Aussie) and a Tassie group of 6 or so.

Given the weather, we decided not to break out the tents unless necessary. SK and Echo PT huts to ourselves, 14 at Windermere, 10 at Pelion and Pine Valley huts, a handfull at KiaOra and 16 at Windy Ridge.


Is that Bert Nicholls Hut the worst design possible?? Huge cooking area with high ceiling, a wood burner at one end struggling to make a difference. Only 7 tables, there is room for twice as many. A passageway to the 3 dorm rooms wasting space and an Antarctic wind tunnel linking the two.

At one end of the wind-tunnel, there is a room to hang wet gear that has wind-out windows with fly screen (no glass) – to what point? when the bottom 3 inches of the walls is cm square open wire mesh (mozzies only fly at window height?). At the other end of the wind-tunnel is a small room in which to sit? similarly open to the elements.

And now they are building an outside viewing platform to look at the Acropolis !

[ILUVSWTAS]

And now they are building an outside viewing platform to look at the Acropolis !

That should have been built on the roof!

[north-north-west]

You could see the thing from the old kitchen. I liked that old hut. The new one is a monstrosity. never let architects get involved with alpine shelters, they haven't a clue.

[Phil S]

Still on the (drifted) topic of huts, I note that there are several un-named (so far as the park map is concerned) spread along the track. Are these private huts, abandoned huts or just older huts that don't figure in most peoples plans?

[Overlandman]

There are 5 Private Huts, One on the ridge South of Waterfall, 2nd at Pine Forrest Moore, 3rd South of Pelion, 4th at Kiora & the last one at Bert Nicholls, from memory they are Black Squares on the park maps
Regards Overlandman
http://www.cradlehuts.com.au/why-walk-with-us/

[Phil S]

Thanks Overlandman. That completely answers my question.

[Phil S]

Another little question - Are the huts equipped with internal lighting or is a lantern required for the long winter evenings? For the record my trip is scheduled for June 20 - 25. Getting really excited now.

[Son of a Beach]

There are no built in lights in any of the public huts on the overland track.

[weeman]

What are the current track conditions like? Much snow around?

I'll be starting the track this Sunday.

[Phil S]

Thanks SoaB. I'll take a lantern and an extra gas cylinder.
Have a great trip weeman, please be sure to write a trip report when you get back.

[Overlandman]

What are the current track conditions like? Much snow around?

I'll be starting the track this Sunday.

The days this week have been cold but fine, very icy in the morning, there is snow on the higher peaks with the posibility of more snow tonight above 1400m. The link below is for the overland track forecast till Thursday next week,
Regards Overlandman
http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/cradlevalley.shtml

[tas-man]

You could see the thing from the old kitchen. I liked that old hut. The new one is a monstrosity. never let architects get involved with alpine shelters, they haven't a clue.

Perhaps only architects who are also bushwalkers such as Arnold Rowlands who designed the Scott-Kilvert hut in 1964. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2810&p=29436