Snow on the OT (Oct)

[farkewie]

Hey,

Been reading - viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4746 Looks great.

Through your experiances what would you expect the snow to be link in the first week of Oct? I know its not predictable but trying to decide if i need snow shoes.

Thanks for any educated guesses.

[Beeper]

Most remnant snow would probably be confined to the mountain tops and the Cradle Plateau.

A snowfall at that time of the year may not last long, although a dump in Oct 2008 did. Late season dumps are certainly not uncommon.

If you're a betting man, I would say the snow shoes would end up being ballast, unless you're unlucky.

You should probaby look at the conditions a few days before you travel.

[1iron]

Agree with Beeper

I reckon snow shoes will be ballast, whilst you may still get a lot of snow on the track on the Cradle Plateau it will more than likely have had plenty of foot traffic.

I do the top part of the OT and return as a training walk usually first week October. This year planned end of this month. Some years it takes 7 - 7.5 hours to get into Waterfall Valley other years do it in 3 hours. Would not think of taking snow shoes.

Hope to visit Kitchen Hut 18/19th should have a better idea on conditions then.

[cixelsyd]

What's the best place to get a 7 day forecast prior to setting out?

A. Local Newspaper
B. Ranger Station
C. Web (which site?)
D. Other

[Son of a Beach]

D. Other. I use "Pocket Weather AU" on the iPhone. It sources information directly from the BOM, plus other sources where the BOM information is unavailable.

Also of use for snow forecasting is: http://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/tasmania

I agree with others that it is VERY unlikely you'd get any use out of snow shoes on the OT in October. To be honest, it's quite unlikely they'd be worthwhile taking even in mid-winter. I used them a lot a couple of weeks ago, but that was immediatly after a very heavy snowfall, and I reckon that within a week or two, most of the track would be clear of snow again, and even at the time just after the snow fall, the snow shoes were only borderline over most of the snow due to it being very soft, even at its best (of course there were a few times when we were VERY grateful to have them).

[Nuts]

Perhaps 15 years ago I led a small group to waterfall valley. Snow fell right through the afternoon, night and was still falling the next day. After taking over an hour to reach the next ridge we decided to turn back to the hut for the night. Time tight and still snowing throughout that day and that night we decided to pull out of the Overland Track and return to Dove Lake.

The next day, without snowshoes was extremely slow going. It was into the afternoon before we reached the turn off to Lake Rodway. Thinking we would get some relief we headed down but wind and the drifts over the saddle stopped us to an exhausting crawl. It was dark when we finally got to the hut.

More snow and we set off the next morning aiming for the rangers hut and short cut down to the lake. Even here the snow was deep, covering many markers, we did our best to follow a clear line without falling through into too many deep holes or creeks. Late afternoon as we approached Artist Pool we found a group of ladies, they had been stuck there for two nights when they had become unsure of the directions. We camped with them that night and continued on the next morning. Luckily the snow had eased and we were at Ranger hut by lunchtime and out shortly after.

Snowshoes are no magic cure, ive carried them since (at any hint of bad weather at the start in winter), we could have gone on or been out in a day with far less effort.
It was September.

that said, october can see the start of more stable conditions, I wouldnt bother with snowshoes unless there was some forecast early in the walk.

[Joel]

Id say bring them.
Probably get a big dump 29/30/1.
Might stick around a while if it doesn't rain.

[cixelsyd]

Hey Joel (or anyone else),

I've been watching the weather down in Tassie, I'm from Brisbane so I'm wearing shorts out on the back verandah as I write this . Anyway, it would appear they are calling for about 10 cm's in the middle of next week. Any knowledge on how much is sitting on the cradle plateau at the moment? I'm starting my walk on the 8th. Can't wait.

[farkewie]

Hey Joel (or anyone else),

I've been watching the weather down in Tassie, I'm from Brisbane so I'm wearing shorts out on the back verandah as I write this . Anyway, it would appear they are calling for about 10 cm's in the middle of next week. Any knowledge on how much is sitting on the cradle plateau at the moment? I'm starting my walk on the 8th. Can't wait.

Hey cixelsyd,

Same here, sitting in Brisbane in my shorts.

I leave on the 6th, what way are you heading?

[cixelsyd]

Hey Joel (or anyone else),

I've been watching the weather down in Tassie, I'm from Brisbane so I'm wearing shorts out on the back verandah as I write this . Anyway, it would appear they are calling for about 10 cm's in the middle of next week. Any knowledge on how much is sitting on the cradle plateau at the moment? I'm starting my walk on the 8th. Can't wait.

Hey cixelsyd,

Same here, sitting in Brisbane in my shorts.

I leave on the 6th, what way are you heading?

hey farkewie,

I fly out on the 6th to Launceston. Drive from Launie to Cradle on the 7th with 2 family members, then start walking on the 8th. from Cradle mountain.
I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
I wouldn't mind about a meter of snow just on the plateau and in the gaps. Thats just enough to make it a cool trip.

We should hook up.

[Joel]

Hey cixelsyd ( I took your wife on a walk around dove lake last year after you did walls to st clair).

I've been up on the plateau alot over the past month. Was up at Crater Peak today. Behind Crater Peak and along the horse track there are still some big drifts a couple of metres deep.
It has been snowing all day and I think it might puke tomorrow through the day and night. If it does not rain too much crossing the plateau will be pretty cool for a week or so. Most of the time I tell people not to worry about snow shoes and they won't be 100% essential, but I would bring them.

[farkewie]

I hired yowies today

[cixelsyd]

Hey cixelsyd ( I took your wife on a walk around dove lake last year after you did walls to st clair).

I've been up on the plateau alot over the past month. Was up at Crater Peak today. Behind Crater Peak and along the horse track there are still some big drifts a couple of metres deep.
It has been snowing all day and I think it might puke tomorrow through the day and night. If it does not rain too much crossing the plateau will be pretty cool for a week or so. Most of the time I tell people not to worry about snow shoes and they won't be 100% essential, but I would bring them.

Hey Joel. I'm jealous. even I haven't taken my wife for a walk around Dove Lake. Thanks for the snow update. Got my Snowshoes ordered. I see farkewie has done the same. I'm pretty excited actually. We also built in a whole extra day to our trek. My wife says "HI JOEL" I actually come from north america and am used to the snow. I can't *&%$#! wait!

[Joel]

Hy the way, I don't know where you read the 10cm report but if it was snow-forecast.com I wouldn't put too much faith in it.
*&%$#! useless website in terms of prediciting snow in tasmania.

[cixelsyd]

Hy the way, I don't know where you read the 10cm report but if it was snow-forecast.com I wouldn't put too much faith in it.
*&%$#! useless website in terms of prediciting snow in tasmania.

yup it was snow forecast. I'm probably going to reserve judgement until Monday or Tuesday next week. Given your comments do you think there will be more than 10 cm of snow accumulating over the next 2 - 3 days?

REgards
James

[Joel]

hell yeah!!
I'm at about 300 m asl right now and there is a little bit of snow on the ground here. Couldn't out of cradle in a 2wd at 10:00pm.
I expect there to be around 30cm on the ground at the visitors center (815m) tomorrow morning and a whole heap on the plateau by tomorrow afternoon, like a meter and on the snow drifts that have lasted from last week (below smithies peak, behind crater peak etc) it will be way deep. Amazing how quickly it can go if it rains though.
I don't know how long it will last of course but it will be deep for a 5-6 days at least.

[Bap]

I'm heading upto Pelion Hut On Friday via the Arm River for the Long weekend can anybody give me an update on how much snow is around?? Just in case I need to bring some snow shoes.

[farkewie]

Hi bap,

When do you get back?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'm heading upto Pelion Hut On Friday via the Arm River for the Long weekend can anybody give me an update on how much snow is around?? Just in case I need to bring some snow shoes.

Given the amount I can see from my lounge room, I'd say take them... No idea what it's like up there, but the last 2 nights we had HUGE dumps down to around 100m.

[Erica]

I'm heading upto Pelion Hut On Friday via the Arm River for the Long weekend can anybody give me an update on how much snow is around?? Just in case I need to bring some snow shoes.

was up there on the on the weekend of the 18th, was a fair bit around on the arm track, from where you get up the top of the hill until near lake ayr, so if theres been more snow since snowshoes might be a good idea. fortunately we were in two large groups 13+ for each, and the group going in the day before us forged the way.

[cixelsyd]

Hy the way, I don't know where you read the 10cm report but if it was snow-forecast.com I wouldn't put too much faith in it.
*&%$#! useless website in terms of prediciting snow in tasmania.

LOL. They are predicting a dump for the 6th of October. That's the day I fly to Launie.. Glad I've rented snow shoes.

[Joel]

Some photos from today. We walked from Dove Lake to Kitchen Hut via Marions, then we went to Crater Peak and back to Marions via Kathleens Pool.

Above Marion's


Kitchen Hut


Behind Crater Peak


Cave for lunch


Drifts

[corvus]

Good one Joel they say a picture paints a thousand words and is it you who keeps digging those "caves" in Marigold Valley
c

[Joel]

nah, not me corvus...too much effort but it was a bit blowy and cool up top today.

[cixelsyd]

Wow, nice pics Joel. Thanks for posting. I really can't wait to get there. I'm wondering if hiking to waterfall valley via Scott Kilvert and up the steep back hill is an option to avoid most of the snow or would it be more dangerous due to slippery footing? I see another dump is expected next Wednesday night.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Awesome stuff Joel, That last picture is beautiful.

[farkewie]

Hi,

Given the amount if snow up there, would any track markers still be visible? Or would it be purely map and compass?

[corvus]

From personal experience I would stick to the Main Track as the walk over Hansons Peak with lots of snow can be very difficult as can The Face Track,track markers should be also be visible albeit on the Cathedral Plateau they may just be peeking out of the snow
c

[Joel]

Agree with corvus.
Hot up here today. Went to Marions in a t shirt for the first time for a while. Lot of melt, track was a waterfall.
Let's hope for a cold snap wed/thurs.

On a side not.... I met Wes Moule today skiing on the plateau. Holy Hell, what an inspiration. Hardcore!

[farkewie]

Hi guys,

Starting my walk on wesne, have noticed some good conditions down there last few day.

Does anyone know how this has affected the snow? I'm trying to decide if I really need to carry snowshoes.

Thanks.