Trip Report Mt. Buffalo.24.6.18.Skiing on ice!!

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Hi
I went up to ski at Mt. Buffalo on Sunday 24.6.18. When I got there from Melb. I found to my chagrin that the Horn road and Beginners' loop ski trails were nothing short of groomed corduroy boiler plate ice.
Skiing up the boiler plate Horn road was a slog. I ate lunch , stashed my skis, put on micro spikes and visited the true summit of The Horn. The views were magnificent , what with it being a sunny bluebird day and all .
Skiing back was looking sketchy. I took one fall just as I put the planks back on, prior to even commencing the downhill return, I wrenched my shoulder a bit and just said FORGET IT, I am not risking my safety skiing on a sheet of groomed ice!.

So the scenery was lovely but skiing on that surface was crap.
I bumped into two of my snow shoe buddies who has summited Mt. Bogong the day before in ideal sunny white season weather and were having a snow shoe trundle up The Horn.
I hope they can be encouraged to try XC skiing and have a lesson or two. I need another lesson esp. on turning and doing the "hockey stop".
We need some fresh soft powdery snow to improve the ski conditions there.
Photos of my June 2018 ski attempt at Mt. Buffalo are coming soon.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

24.6.18.The Horn road at about 12 noon in fine weather.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

My skis and me trying to ski on "boiler plate" /solid groomed ice was madness. I wonder how I got anywhere at all !. It was so crunchy that snow shoe walkers could be heard from 50 metres away ! ;-P

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Even though the frozen solid skiing surface was shite , the scenery was brilliant and you could see clearly in all directions.24.6.18.
The Horn road looked good but when I put the planks on I realized looks can often be deceiving.
Mt. Buffalo is free to XC ski at and with some fresh soft snow( we all wish for that ) the ski trails would still be very alluring as the bushwalking tracks are in green season.

 

[skifree]

It is skiable grasshopper, experiment, practice, seek training, repeat.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Climbing/short hopping/ sliding/herring boning /gliding up the Horn road on skis was slow going. It was like skiing on a plate of cold polished metal . Even with metal edges on my skis I could not find many sections that felt right and forgiving under my skis. However the views continued to improve as one slogged it up the slippery slope.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Lunch at the Horn picnic area. Sat. June 24th 2018

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

This little birdy was fascinated by the fare on display for my lunch. Of course being a National Park one is obliged to observe and marvel at the wildlife ;-P. This very tame little Birdy was captured in focus with my camera , it must have been the power of a good meal to improve my photographic faculties.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

I could not resist making a ski joke photo at the Horn picnic area with this road sign and my skis.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Great scenery and lovely weather at Mt. Buffalo.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

I went up to the summit wearing Kahtoola Microspikes. Many day trippers were walking on the groomed boiler plate corduroy surface in street shoes. At least at Lake Mtn. and at Mt. Stirling there is signage alerting unaware walkers not to do this on ski trails.
The views from the top never fail to impress me.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

It was very icy going up to the top of the Horn. Microspikes were a wise choice for this venture.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

More views from The Horn. Yes I know the Derek and Clive sketch about the Horn.....

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Your correspondent in the field , at the summit of the Horn. I skied or tried to ski thrice in one week at three different locations: Lake Mtn , Mt. Buffalo and Falls Creek .

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

The sun was sinking low by the time I returned to Cresta Valley where I parked my car.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Time to pack up and drive back to Myrtleford. I was a bit deflated by not being able to / mad enough ski down the boiler plate Horn road but I think that would have been quite dangerous for me, so I walked back from the Horn picnic area, skis in hand. It is a good thing to recognize where avoidable risks are and to steer clear of them.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

White peaks Of the Vic. Alps on the Horizon as seen from the top of The Horn.You could see all of the Vic. Alps cloaked in snow from the top of The Horn including Mt. Bogong, Mt. Hotham and Mt. Buller.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Heading up the Boiler Plate corduroy track a.k.a The Horn road.Some of the sharp uphill bends required a herringbone approach, short hops would not suffice. Yes, you can see the groomed surface clearly in this picture...... More corduroy than a folk festival !. The return journey was mainly in shadows and as a result the late afternoon air temperature dropped and made the surface even icier than before. I think I would have bent my Grivel brand ice axe on it , had I brought it along to test it out.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

In between some of the huge rocks near the summit were some pockets of powder snow that had not yet turned to ice, in the clear sub zero nights that have occurred , since the heavy snow fall across the Vic. Alps that took place on 17/6/18.

 

[climberman]

This little birdy was fascinated by the fare on display for my lunch. Of course being a National Park one is obliged to observe and marvel at the wildlife ;-P. This very tame little Birdy was captured in focus with my camera , it must have been the power of a good meal to improve my photographic faculties.

lovely shot!

 

[neilmny]

It is skiable grasshopper, experiment, practice, seek training, repeat.

Fear not the fall Mr Tee.......A fall on the move (that doesn't involve crashing into solid stationary objects) has a lot less impact than if you go bum up just standing around.
When it all goes wrong just slide on your butt....DON'T drop onto a knee....very very bad practice that one!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Fear not the fall Mr Tee.......A fall on the move (that doesn't involve crashing into solid stationary objects) has a lot less impact than if you go bum up just standing around.
When it all goes wrong just slide on your butt....DON'T drop onto a knee....very very bad practice that one!

Thanks for the tips. I seem to go to the bum brake while moving on skis as a default panic button. I did that while moving at a fair speed at the Nordic bowl on Monday.
However I slipped over on my bum while standing still at The Horn Picnic ground having only just reattached the planks and then bounced onto my left elbow which survived but jolted my shoulder which is now sore. That told me that skiing down hill on ice is not for me , not until I can ski all blue run terrain safely.
My shoulder and ankle , both on the left side should be O . K. in a couple of days so nothing serious has happened. I am having some anti inflammatory topical gel and tablets.
I will get some more XC ski lessons soon to improve what I am doing. Some forum members are supportive about my transition from Snow Shoes to XC skis and one who comes to mind is a real P.I. T.A. about anything that I post about any topic. Fooey on him , the old grump!

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

Great report!
Buffalo was my first ski hill
As an aside- I suspect what you call unskiable boilerplate, Martin Fourcade would describe as perfect conditions for World Records

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Great report!
Buffalo was my first ski hill
As an aside- I suspect what you call unskiable boilerplate, Martin Fourcade would describe as perfect conditions for World Records

Hi, as a learner skier I prefer to keep to the right side of not injuring myself rather badly. Other skiers who were actually skiing down the Horn Road were using the snow plough the whole way and they advised to me do any turns away from the shadows , where the sun had reached the surface. The rub for me was that I found most of the terrain in shadows what with returning late in the day and all. The Horn Road is graded as a Blue Run and I can say that I am willing to give Blue runs a go where it is a sane option.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Team Bears would like these picnic tables at The Horn picnic area ..

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

I am hoping to ski at Mt. Buffalo again when they get some real soft fresh snow cover. The Bogong Loop and the Beginner's loop plus the Reservoir road all need to be skied soon!

 

[FourSquare04]

Heading up to Mt Buffalo this coming weekend and will be my first time there.

From what I can see there's two areas: Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley (actually has some old lifts and reasonable hiking to ride some runs)

How much further up the road is Cresta Valley from Dingo Dell?

Some of those old runs look quite nice and steep to the left of the old lift

 

[Mufts]

Funny,

I went for a skate up the horn that day and found it firm and fast. A little unforgiving, but can't control the temps, it has been really cold up here.

 

[Seth]

Heading up to Mt Buffalo this coming weekend and will be my first time there.

From what I can see there's two areas: Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley (actually has some old lifts and reasonable hiking to ride some runs)

How much further up the road is Cresta Valley from Dingo Dell?

Some of those old runs look quite nice and steep to the left of the old lift

Not far at all. No lifts.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Don't forget after a big fresh low level dump of snow the Reservoir road and the Lake Catani loop are sometimes groomed by PV. If you are fit and are a XC good skier you can get out to Mt. McLeod or Rocky Creek and back in a day if you start early enough. Look at the Spatial Vision Map of Mt. Buffalo for details and ski track gradings.

 

[FourSquare04]

@Mister Tee on XC Skis this pic you posted in last season's thread looks great looking up at the Cresta slopes - I'd be keen to hike that face and rip a few runs

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

I took that photo using film , one day in spring many moons ago. On a weekend in white season you need to watch out for the little kids on toboggans lower down the slopes as you ski down hill and throw in some turns at a fair clip.
That last bend as you descend in your car into Cresta valley to park ye olde jalopy is often very icy and should be driven with a lot of care, caution and attention.
What I love about Mt. Buffalo among the many things it has to offer , is that it is free to ski there .

 

[FourSquare04]

I took that photo using film , one day in spring many moons ago. On a weekend in white season you need to watch out for the little kids on toboggans lower down the slopes as you ski down hill and throw in some turns at a fair clip.
That last bend as you descend in your car into Cresta valley to park ye olde jalopy is often very icy and should be driven with a lot of care, caution and attention.
What I love about Mt. Buffalo among the many things it has to offer , is that it is free to ski there .

Is there a day lodge at Cresta Valley too or only at Dingo Dell?

 

[Legs Akimbo]

Thanks for the tips. I seem to go to the bum brake while moving on skis as a default panic button. I did that while moving at a fair speed at the Nordic bowl on Monday.
However I slipped over on my bum while standing still at The Horn Picnic ground having only just reattached the planks and then bounced onto my left elbow which survived but jolted my shoulder which is now sore. That told me that skiing down hill on ice is not for me , not until I can ski all blue run terrain safely.
My shoulder and ankle , both on the left side should be O . K. in a couple of days so nothing serious has happened. I am having some anti inflammatory topical gel and tablets.
I will get some more XC ski lessons soon to improve what I am doing. Some forum members are supportive about my transition from Snow Shoes to XC skis and one who comes to mind is a real P.I. T.A. about anything that I post about any topic. Fooey on him , the old grump!

If I am the grump I support your transition. I don't support you pontificating on a subject about which you have little knowledge. Perhaps if you added "I have just started ..." to your contributions.

 

[Mufts]

Is there a day lodge at Cresta Valley?

Nope

 

[Seth]

Is there a day lodge at Cresta Valley too or only at Dingo Dell?

Well there was, but one day........

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

If I am the grump I support your transition. I don't support you pontificating on a subject about which you have little knowledge. Perhaps if you added "I have just started ..." to your contributions.

Fair enough comrade , I know FA x 2 about skiing except that the start up costs for getting the gear have not been cheap and my ankle still hurts a bit from twisting it when skiing at Falls Creek last month.
However I shall persist with the planks.
Now just for you LEGS , old chap , I shall henceforth where appropriate add the pre amble to my posts "I am a learner XC skier with some prior BC experience on snow shoes"....
I do know a little about the terrain in the ANP( Mt. Bogong, Mt. Feathertop,Mt. Howitt , The Bluff etc) , KNP , Mt Baw Baw N.P. , Mt. Buffalo N.P. , Lake Mtn. ,. etc. and I know all about my front yard here in Melbourne. I am something of an expert at not being an expert but on that last point I can hold my own ;-P .
I know a little about
snow camping and BC white season recreation on snow shoes having done at least three solid white seasons on snow shoes with a heavy pack.


I do know the lay out of Mt. Buffalo being a Vic. bushwalker and visiting Mt. Buffalo in all seasons for least 20 years and all.

There is no lodge at Cresta Valley or at Dingo Dell. There is the Crumbling Chalet at the Gorge which has been closed and allowed to rot for ten years. So in terms of accessible pre built public day shelters you have the public hut at Lake Catani and another one at the Gorge car park. These two huts each have tables and a fireplace respectively, and I must add there is a café at Dingo Dell.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Great TR and pics Mr Tee.
I always enjoy reading about your adventures into the High Country. I look forward to the next installment, and keep at it!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

Great TR and pics Mr Tee.
I always enjoy reading about your adventures into the High Country. I look forward to the next installment, and keep at it!

Thanks for the positive feedback. I think I will persist with such trip reports even if just to wind up THE Senior forum GRUMP, LEGS AKIMBO ;-P.

 

[Legs Akimbo]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I think I will persist with such trip reports even if just to wind up THE Senior forum GRUMP, LEGS AKIMBO ;-P.

That's OK. I will continue to point out the paucity of your experience.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I think I will persist with such trip reports even if just to wind up THE Senior forum GRUMP, LEGS AKIMBO ;-P.

I think old mate might be a bit jealous about your adventures to be honest, and can't help but try to bring you down. It's just what he does, unfortunately.
If that gives you sufficient motivation to continue getting out there, then the rest of us benefit by reading your TRs. I guess that's a collective win

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

That's OK. I will continue to point out the paucity of your experience.

I have bushwalked a fair whack of the Oz Alps in boots in green season and in snow shoes as well, so in those terms I am no newbie .I also trek in mountains abroad.
Some people like the photos that I take and share with others on this forum. If you don't like my trip reports then tough titties. …...Anyway you are entitled to be a P.I.T.A. It is a natural talent of yours that should not be thwarted.

 

[FourSquare04]

There is no lodge at Cresta Valley or at Dingo Dell. There is the Crumbling Chalet at the Gorge which has been closed and allowed to rot for ten years. So in terms of accessible pre built public day shelters you have the public hut at Lake Catani and another one at the Gorge car park. These two huts each have tables and a fireplace respectively.

If there is no 'lodge' at Dingo Dell then what do you call that building in the background from this pic ripped off their current homepage?!! I see words 'cafe' and 'coffee' mentioned several times....!

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

If there is no 'lodge' at Dingo Dell then what do you call that building in the background from this pic ripped off their current homepage?!! I see words 'cafe' and 'coffee' mentioned several times....!

There is a café at Dingo Dell which operates in white season. It is not a place where you can stay overnight. You might be able to rent a toboggan or snow shoes at Dingo Dell's cafe. I can't say about that for sure.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

That's OK. I will continue to point out the paucity of your experience.

I also share my experiences esp. through photographs and It is my subjective experience & not the final word on anything. The Interwebby brings out the cot cases doesn't it ?

 

[Legs Akimbo]

I also share my experiences esp. through photographs and It is my subjective experience & not the final word on anything. The Interwebby brings out the cot cases doesn't it ?

You don't have much experience on skis. I suggest that you stop offering incorrect information.

 

[Mister Tee on XC Skis]

You don't have much experience on skis. I suggest that you stop offering incorrect information.

I have spent years on snow shoes. It is n't the same as XC skiing but I know who I would rather have a cup of tea with , and it isn't you. My subjective experiences are what my trip reports are about. They are what they are.I am an expert at not being an expert .
Show me your trip reports and photos.
Some of my photos have been published in outdoors and nature related publications. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Where oh Great one is this incorrect information you allude to? Since you are the keeper of all wisdom I shall start typing this message to you in romanized Hindustani because you would know the world's 3rd most spoken language too .
Toh lagta hai keh aap tung dil vala aur bhi sub janta vala hain. Main mahir nehin hun, khaas kar iskiing ke barey main.Mujhe qudrati mahaul ki tasveerein kheech lena bahoot shauq hai aur doosron sey bantney ke liye aur dekhaaney ke liye mujhe achchi lagti hai . Agar aap meri baaton ko na pasand kartey hain toh mujhe koi faraq nehin padhta hai.