Western Arthur range in snow!

[philm]

On 17 November we undertook the Western Arthur range. Given there was a couple of fronts coming in in the later part of the trip we walked from Scotts Peak Dam to Lake Cygnus in a day. The Port Davey track was in pretty good shape with some mud but nothing too severe. We made it to Junction creek in just under 3 hours then headed towards Alpha. There was snow on the WA range down to about 750-800 m. On approaching the base of Alpha there was a group of 3 adults coming back down. They seemed experienced but told us there was a lot of snow on top and it was quite difficult to get through to Cygnus. Given the conditions they stayed at Cygnus one night and decided to turn back. We pushed on and on reaching the top of Alpha the snow was just above our knees. A couple of people were coming up behind us and moving faster than us. We initially followed the foot steps of the party of 3 then lost them. I used the GPS but there were a number of deep holes and creeks flowing under the snow and we fell through a couple of times. It was tough going and at this stage it was about 4.30pm. Thew party of 2 came to within 20 metres of us and we signaled them to come with us. They waved and next time we turned around they had decided to turn back. We eventually made it to Cygnus and there was snow everywhere even on the tent platforms! We made it there about 6pm. The next days was a fine clear and still day but looking at the weather on the inreach it said the fronts were coming and forecast to dump another 14 cm of snow the following evening. There was a lot of snow still on the peaks and lee ward side of the ranges so we decided to do a day walk to Oberon and back. We meet some trail runners this day who knew the area and they told us not to go past Oberon due to the snow build up and risk of avalanches. It was tough going and gave me a greater appreciation of snow and the associated challenges. We learnt a lot and were glad we decided not to push on. If we had plenty of time we could have sat out the bad weather and snow as we had good gear but we would have been at High Moor for the worst day (36 mm of rain at Scotts Peak that day and plenty more snow on top).

[north-north-west]

... sat out the bad weather and snow as we had good gear but we would have been at High Moor for the worst day ...

You haven't really done the WArthurs until you've been weathered in at High Moor for at least 24hrs.

[headwerkn]

You haven't really done the WArthurs until you've been weathered in at High Moor for at least 24hrs.

Does descending Tilted Chasm whilst it mimics a waterfall count?

[north-north-west]

You haven't really done the WArthurs until you've been weathered in at High Moor for at least 24hrs.

Does descending Tilted Chasm whilst it mimics a waterfall count?

Not really. If it's possible to walk without at least acquiring a serious injury, it just doesn't count.

[headwerkn]

I managed to dislodge a sizeable stone and nearly wiped out my better half and another walking companion, so it wasn't through lack of trying

[philm]

We were not worried about reaching High Moor just getting stuck there for a few days if a lot of snow came in! There was already a lot of snow on top of the ranges and if it had a few more dumps we could have been stuck for a few days. So it was more about time to sit it out rather than being stupid and pushing on in dangerous conditions. The rain itself did not worry us just the amount of snow and the build up.