We have been advised by the AAWT track clearing organizers from Bush Walking Victoria that due to the wintery weather that is coming very little work will be possible on Sat . or Sunday. In addition to this the organizers have advised those of us who do not live locally in the Latrobe valley to stay at home. I have accepted this advice. @Ramshead is still going because he booked his plane ticket from Sydney. The planned camp site is at Stronarch's camp which is below 1100 M. ASL.Is the AAWT volunteer group planning to camp in the Mt Whitelaw area?
Have you any photos from your April ski trip to BB?Surprisingly good conditions at bb. No chains needed. Drizzle at car park vanished and I headed up under summit t-bar. 20 cm in gauge. Matt had made tracks in front on armadas/skins with shift but his first day on this gear. Jordan joined us on tele gear. Matt was trying to find his friends on Champagne run but had no map (or idea?). We scooted around left (1.5 k ?) and there they were. A run down champagne in softening snow found me out while Jordan showed the resilience and skills that come from having been snowed in at Hotham for months (last year). After lunch a run down Tank, another climb up hut and we skied la descent and back down summit. Found a way back to car park despite road clearing and tired legs. April ski. See you again, Jordan.
The same mob who are in charge of managing Lake Mtn. are in charge of running Baw Baw. Snow conditions allowing , It does not inspire confidence in great things taking place for XC skiers.Last I heard, resort management had reclaimed it. But it may have been leased out if that's what you mean by 'bought'. Hope they can do better than the last lot.
The same mob who are in charge of managing Lake Mtn. are in charge of running Baw Baw. Snow conditions allowing , It does not inspire confidence in great things taking place for XC skiers.
Unlike Lake Mtn - where a significant minority xc ski and hence receive a passing thought from management, occasionally, XC at BB is an afterthought, an obscure footnote in an annual report?
If BB really cared they would spend some on the trails, especially drainage on the boggy bits, and arrange at a minimum weekend patrols to keep walkers and general tourists off the trails.
If someone broke a leg or anything major, it would be totally up to one’s companions to summon help on the trails. On one hand I believe in self responsibility but on the other, the resort implies some basic services. In these way BB management are a bit cute and certainly stingy.
This is a bit sad - I mean all our snowy mountains started off as touring destinations and only morphed into alpine resorts and runs decades into their development. The roots don’t matter (much) anymore. No bucks in it!![]()
I agree with your comments.
I have skied Baw Baw's XC trails a number of times. They make a good 10 km morning work out. There are a couple of slightly tricky bits where I test my skills and nerve !.I have never XC skied these trails during the declared ski season. XC skiing from MSG car park to BB village and back is still in my TO DO list .
Most are cakewalk with heavy duty 75 mm placcy boots and bindings and decent width skis and groomed snow. I even skied around the summit loop once or twice with then young son of 6 / 18 months in MacPac possum.
But remove some these elements, it’s harder - and I don’t ski on NNN stuff!
You’re probably aware, once leaving the wider resort trails, they soon gain difficulty and much better with 75mm cable bindings and big boots and the ability to almost jump turn going down from the Tors. Etc...
All good fun though! ❄️⛷
Jump turns on those narrow tracks have me a bit concerned. I start side stepping then. I will get some more lessons early in this season and hope to progress somewhat at plank activities.Most are cakewalk with heavy duty 75 mm placcy boots and bindings and decent width skis and groomed snow. I even skied around the summit loop once or twice with then young son of 6 / 18 months in MacPac possum.
But remove some these elements, it’s harder - and I don’t ski on NNN stuff!
You’re probably aware, once leaving the wider resort trails, they soon gain difficulty and much better with 75mm cable bindings and big boots and the ability to almost jump turn going down from the Tors. Etc...
All good fun though! ❄️⛷
Good to see that the Mid Summit cam has finally been de-fogged but it is still at a funny angle. The summit T tower visible in the pic doesn't lean like it does in the pic!Good to see that they have cranked up the "slushie machine" with some piles visible on Hut Roll.
LM was totally ski able too. I could not summon the motivation to drive 3 hours one way to BB when LM is 1 hour and 45 min.s from my house. The snow was dry and fresh.Looks nice, wish I could have got there. Was locked in to planned lunch appointment. Next time...
Looks like SF Rd is open to the bb turn-off, but not sure why you'd bother. A bummer for the little mountain.
There’s absolutely no snow except for the slushy piles, so they’re in a difficult spot!Have any locals been to Baw Baw since the storm? Hope everyone is doing OK! Any clues as to when lifts may be running?
Have any locals been to Baw Baw since the storm? Hope everyone is doing OK! Any clues as to when lifts may be running?
I can’t leave Melbourne but I understand the resort was shut due to the storm - mostly trees down, possibly water issues too? But there’s almost no snow post 300mm dumpage. A few swales? Sad!
There’s some snow forecast for Wed-Sat this week. I reckon Bb needs ~ two good weeks of snow without major (~ 50mm) rain - maybe 50cm to get the bigger lifts close to running (Summit/Maltese)
X fingers this week goes half way - maybe to get carpets and Hut or Tank going?
Yes I know, sadly I think for the next 3-4 weeks, Hotham & Falls XC will be far superior to anything close to Melbourne. Even Buller/Stirling can’t escape these rain events.It was all looking so so good, had me keen to get up there and theeeeeen..... gone.
I have some free accommodation set up via an old friend in MyrtlefordYes I know, sadly I think for the next 3-4 weeks, Hotham & Falls XC will be far superior to anything close to Melbourne. Even Buller/Stirling can’t escape these rain events.
Sometimes 1 or 2 decent (longer Dist) weekends are more satisfying than weekly jaunts to ski 10-20 cms of mush/chop?
Thank you all for the thoughts we have been boiling water since i think before Easter, was meant to be fixed but hey welcome to Baw Baw. Still BoilingI can’t leave Melbourne but I understand the resort was shut due to the storm - mostly trees down, possibly water issues too? But there’s almost no snow post 300mm dumpage. A few swales? Sad!
There’s some snow forecast for Wed-Sat this week. I reckon Bb needs ~ two good weeks of snow without major (~ 50mm) rain - maybe 50cm to get the bigger lifts close to running (Summit/Maltese)
X fingers this week goes half way - maybe to get carpets and Hut or Tank going?
Thank you all for the thoughts we have been boiling water since i think before Easter, was meant to be fixed but hey welcome to Baw Baw. Still Boiling
But do they get money for the really big Capital items?The southern resorts get so much more money then the big 3 combined, every year. No one can say they don't get a fair go.