It was raining down below ~below the hut level. Sleeting up near the Camp.Report of rain up there earlier, so who knows?
Love it. But so bloody cruel!On skis dry snow no base
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The Boundary track sits at approximately 1200 M. ASL. It all about the timing the generous snow fall for a BC XC ski access trip to Keppel's hut. Keppel's hut is at 1300 M. and has snow drifts even into early October, as I saw one year on a walking trip with @Carola .Bears would like the snow base to build so folk can savour Boundary Track trail.Unfortunately at around 1300m Approx the snow will not last long before rain degrades it.Hopefully somebody will get to ski this and supply the forum with pictures.Let’s hope the 5km rule is dropped next Tuesday evening.
Most of us understand the need to be vigilant with covid .....but small groups of backcountry users are not going to realistically spread covid....covid vaxes(tick). Social distancing(tick)......minimal interactions unlike football and pub gatherings.
@chriscross. PM sent with Full details on the shortest BC XC ski / trek route to Keppel's hut and LM.What is the best way to access the hut at the moment? Perhaps by hiking/skiing Boundary track? I went up to Mt Margaret a couple of weeks ago but (of course) the Lady Talbot Drive access was locked at the top gate. Is it possible to drive close to the hut? If this is restricted info, maybe pm might be more discrete.
NO.Thanks, T. I gather it's not possible to drive in from the Marysville end?
It is not possible to groom with less than 30cm of snow , especially on a terrain like in LM.Even the lower trails look ready for Plank action. You'd think they would groom them with the machine groomer and pack it down to create a lasting base. However XC skiing and all that goes with it is not on the LM resort management radar so much these days. Bring Back Alan Eason !!. He would demand to have some grooming.
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Snow Cams & Trail Conditions - Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
Discover up to date weather conditions and check out all the available mountain trails at Lake Mountain before heading off. Adventure awaits!www.lakemountainresort.com.au
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I have seen LM staff grooming their XC ski trails with a skidoo groomer with just 20 cms or less on the ground and I have seen the chook footer grooves and the corduroy for skating being punched into the tracks by the Machine groomer with 25 cms of snow on the ground at the most.It is not possible to groom with less than 30cm of snow , especially on a terrain like in LM.
General Operating Guidelines How Much Snow is Required to Start Grooming Operations? The amount of snow depth required to begin grooming operations will vary by area and is affected by the type of terrain and by the type of snow. Remember that it requires a lot more snow to safely and effectively operate a groomer than it does to operate a snowmobile. And it can be a good thing to let snowmobiles run on the snow first before you start grooming operations because it starts the de-aeration and compression process. Generally, at least 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of wet snow on smooth terrain like a road is enough to begin grooming operations. However, if the snow is drier, or if the terrain is rough or uneven, at least 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) of snow (or more) may be required to safely begin effective grooming operations.
Also temperature is very important.
And that is exactly what we need the mountain to be doing - building the base, rather than grooming it for the skiers when there are no skiers other than resort employees. And what a job that must be this winter!! I'm green with jealousy.Update from mountain. Staff have been out on trails cutting trees, filling holes and most trails have been groomed by skidoo / groomer. Building a nice compacted base.
How's the grooming?Update from the mountain. good skiing on good base with fresh / slow snow on top. Weather is a mix of rain and snow up high.
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Great report.Too bad it is booked out this weekend and next weekendWell worth a visit today. Even after a covid test and on-line booking make a spontaneous ski day that much harder. The grooming made a difference ( on skating skis) but that first 500 m is still a challenge when you haven't been on the skaters for almost 2 years. Not much at the gym really prepares you for that, although single leg balance exercises help. I warmed up quickly and started to get some stride/flow happening. Thought I was reasonably fit (having started running some hills again) but I still had to stop for breathing breaks on some climbs (as the young smarties glide past). Woollybutt was in good nick, Echo a little more chopped up with some brown patches showing in the afternoon. Upper Royston rd and upper Muster were really good but my thigh muscles started to complain and I headed back down for lunch via echo, the camp and snowgum trail as the surface softened up. Met a mature gent coming up who revealed he was 77 and still skiing, so an example to us all. I fear r**n will not be kind to the trails but it was great to get up there. Some happy skiers about.