the BC chatter thread

[Xplora]

I wanted to go to KNP this week but could only find one site available for Thursday and we all know what happened there. Trip was never going to happen. It is only a small booking fee and it is being abused probably because there is a note about a cancellation fee. Got a message today that my booking for yesterday was cancelled and the campground closed. I will also get a refund.

Most coastal parks in Vic are charging camping fees and Buffalo does in summer. Maybe coastal parks could have a winter rate. The Falls to Hotham walk will still be free if you don't use the glamping and the paid areas will be set off from the public areas. There are some camping platforms that can be booked on the existing walk but you don't have to use or book them as long as you camp further than 100m away. Easy done. Better spots too. Grampians peak trail is different again and not happy with that but the area gets loads of people so some control may have been necessary.

We stayed at Green Cape one winter and were the only people there. I was walking the money to the box to pay and the ranger told me not to bother. When travelling we will often not know where we will end up so it is hard to book and even harder when there is no reception.

 

[StashyMcStash]

What's the fine when your van (vehicle) is parked in a Kosi NP campground without a site booking? Asking for a mate

 

[telecrag]

Try saying you were just having a rest/snack?

 

[telecrag]

I think between $3-400

 

[Myazma]

Murky morning lapping DHG, snow was good, tad heavy but good. A few punters chopping up the first pitch from the carpark, toboganers galore at the carpark and no others touring

 

[hongomania]

Nice to be out with @GregTheMoose for the first time since pre covid, getting in the fitness before the annual mac springs trip

Did feel a bit sketchy skiing, fresh snow wanting to wet slide and the risk of entire faces letting go. I got to 130cm deep with my pole and it was still rain affected. Definetly conditions for guide turns and not full send

Nicest snow was just below bottom of drift resort boundary markers

Steep enough terrain that some nice turns could be had, albeit requiring precise execution on the waybacks to ensure the tips drove through

 

[Untele-whippet]

ProtoV4.
Happy.

 

[GS]

Not sure if a yart, nice film of a paddle trip thru the Gordon Splits

 

[Myazma]

Crusty this morning, one run and done, DHG. Were going to Guthega but left too late (6.45) and hit the traffic at Widows creek, turned left instead.

 

[MattyHoll]

I left way too late and couldn’t even find a park at the ski tube, even blocked off the day parking area. So drove down to dead horse gap. Lots of snow play taking up parking. I’m guessing those were your tracks I saw then @Myazma? Snow would have been good early, and was still skiable up high but was hard work getting back to the car.

 

[Myazma]

I left way too late and couldn’t even find a park at the ski tube, even blocked off the day parking area. So drove down to dead horse gap. Lots of snow play taking up parking. I’m guessing those were your tracks I saw then @Myazma? Snow would have been good early, and was still skiable up high but was hard work getting back to the car.

Can just make out our tracks from the trig. Looks like a herd of cattle (or K7 snowshoeing group) came up from the north side later.

 

[MattyHoll]

Can just make out our tracks from the trig. Looks like a herd of cattle (or K7 snowshoeing group) came up from the north side later.

Tbh, I thought there must have been horses around the area from the tracks I saw down lower. I skinned over and realised it was just snowshoes .

 

[Rabid K9]

Can just make out our tracks from the trig. Looks like a herd of cattle (or K7 snowshoeing group) came up from the north side later.

What the snow level like at DHG after recent events? How have travel times to Guthega been later in morning?

The whole traffic overload is shitting me & haven't even arrived yet. Coming down from Canberra tomorrow, hoping at least get my boys into the snow even if riding is out of the question.

 

[Myazma]

Tbh, I thought there must have been horses around the area from the tracks I saw down lower. I skinned over and realised it was just snowshoes .

Bootpackers, they burn out couple hundred metres up.

What the snow level like at DHG after recent events? How have travel times to Guthega been later in morning?

The whole traffic overload is shitting me & haven't even arrived yet. Coming down from Canberra tomorrow, hoping at least get my boys into the snow even if riding is out of the question.

Snow to road at DHG. Week days no worries getting to Guthega.

 

[snowgum]

ProtoV4.
Happy.

Nice pack! Ticks the ski boxes. Comp straps, good back length, nice wide waist harness (often skimpy on packs these days). Simple closure up top saves weight and time.

Can I please ask the weight, volume? Cheers.

 

[Xplora]

Nice pack! Ticks the ski boxes. Comp straps, good back length, nice wide waist harness (often skimpy on packs these days). Simple closure up top saves weight and time.

Can I please ask the weight, volume? Cheers.

While we are in question mode and to save a second response from @Untele-whippet, is the back support stiffened in any way. Like a closed cell foam. Something to stop hard objects in the pack digging into your back if you know what I mean. Hard to tell in the photos.

 

[telecrag]

Yes, two layers of foam (removable), which are in a seperate pocket (can accommodate shovel).

Not sure on volume or weight, light enough for me, but maybe not a weenie. Large enough for me to do maybe three days light. Id guess 40 odd, and a kilo or less.

Mine is version 1 or 2 though, I have version envy now.

 

[SMSkier]

Twin Valleys.. cornice. Not surprised.

Heading out tomorrow but mostly just into the meadows. Would like to see what that layer of recent grauple (post the wet stuff that fell) is doing. Sitting between ice and fresh snow.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Twin Valleys.. cornice. Not surprised.

Heading out tomorrow but mostly just into the meadows. Would like to see what that layer of recent grauple (post the wet stuff that fell) is doing. Sitting between ice and fresh snow.

Wow was ironic......

 

[bullet]

Few pics from paralyzer range today with the Mrs, good snow in the southern aspects, around 5cm dust on crust elsewhere.

 

[Untele-whippet]

Nice pack! Ticks the ski boxes. Comp straps, good back length, nice wide waist harness (often skimpy on packs these days). Simple closure up top saves weight and time.

Can I please ask the weight, volume? Cheers.

While we are in question mode and to save a second response from @Untele-whippet, is the back support stiffened in any way. Like a closed cell foam. Something to stop hard objects in the pack digging into your back if you know what I mean. Hard to tell in the photos.

Some answers.
I’ve beefed up the body with the black VX21 Cire with a double layer all around the base. It has a 2000 abrasion cycle rating.
The red VX21 has 500 abrasion cycle rating.
By comparison the heavy 1000 denier cordura is rated to 710.
There is a 38 mm webbing that covers the vertical water resistant gear access zipper on the side panel to avoid vertical carry ski edge abrasion.
I’ve also added a second access zipper on the front panel.
There are now adjustable ice axe / disgonal ski carry loops at the base of each daisy chain.
The daisy chains can accomodate a snowboard in vertical carry mode.
There are 2 closed cell foam mats for suspension, one soft for comfort against your back and one more dense to prevent gear digging into you.
I’ve made a pouch out of VX07 that the 2 foam mats can be put into, that can quickly be pulled out and used as an insulated seat on snow.
There are 2 internal sleeves against your back. 1 for the foam suspension mats and the other for Avi Gear, these are closed by a zippered wallet, car key, snack pocket.
I’m yet to fill it up with water to measure the volume but I reckon 40 to 55 litres with the roll extension.
The waist belt is easily removable for skiing or climbing with a harness.
As I’ve beefed it up a bit it now weighs 1330g
I’m also playing around with different buckles and webbing atm.
More testing and feedback from the nice beta peeps before we’re up and running.
Just re-registered the domain name but no website yet.

 

[Rabid K9]

Ducked up from DHG later this arvo to warm up the legs.

Once got through the postholes & snowshoe mire, was lovely up top, no wind, snow in good condition, some light grauple falling.

Always get suckered into dropping some of the untracked bowls & steps into bloody Bogong? Creek. Laid some decent turns on nice snow, but with the subsequent teeter across rocks & sweaty short thrash to get up the other side. Some very nice Hillebergs pitched not far up on the plateau from the Cascades carpark toboggan run.

 

[Telemark Phat]

Twin Valleys.. cornice. Not surprised.

Heading out tomorrow but mostly just into the meadows. Would like to see what that layer of recent grauple (post the wet stuff that fell) is doing. Sitting between ice and fresh snow.

This is one of the things that happens when we're all tucked in safely.

Note that phrasing, tucked in safely. Bunch of pant wetters.

 

[Myazma]

Schlink looking good

 

[SMSkier]

Skiing 3-5 cms fresh (ish) with a nice hoar frost.

 

[telecrag]

Love a nice hoar, always makes me smile.

 

[snowgum]

Skiing 3-5 cms fresh (ish) with a nice hoar frost.

 

[snowgum]

Great pic thanks - motivation for me for our September trip.

 

[Myazma]

Toured from Smiggin Holes

this morning to a little hill I pass most mornings in summer. Nice runs good snow.

 

[SMSkier]

Paralyser then down to The Snowy. Snow was good today. Coverage is fine given past mixed weather events.

Low elevations where the snowy runs into Guthega Pondage shows the weather damage.

But even low elevations amongst the trees was ok.

 

[robbo mcs]

Paralyser then down to The Snowy. Snow was good today. Coverage is fine given past mixed weather events.

Low elevations where the snowy runs into Guthega Pondage shows the weather damage.

But even low elevations amongst the trees was ok.

Interesting pics of the river. I presume that marks the level of flooding. That debris would have risen up and fragmented with the rising water, and then fallen back as it went down. Would have been impressive to see it happening.

 

[Myazma]

Anyone know if there is any snow bridges across the Snowy upstream of Foreman's Crossing? Hoping not to have to get the tootsie's cold tomorrow.

 

[snowgum]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

Fwiw: The range it looks fairly tree-free (common issue in Vic), but it has a lot of small ups and downs say from east to west. It’s probably best traversed via the south(ish) face from Mt P, ie. not climbing any unnecessary knolls - since we’d trying maximise westward speed down to the road. (Daylight in early Sept. would help).

Cheers ‘locals’ for any thoughts. Or is the road from the pass SW of MtP. Much quicker / less faffing?

 

[skifree]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

Fwiw: The range it looks fairly tree-free (common issue in Vic), but it has a lot of small ups and downs say from east to west. It’s probably best traversed via the south(ish) face from Mt P, ie. not climbing any unnecessary knolls - since we’d trying maximise westward speed down to the road. (Daylight in early Sept. would help).

Cheers ‘locals’ for any thoughts. Or is the road from the pass SW of MtP. Much quicker / less faffing?

Yes.

Can be an issue crossing Spencers Creek, if in doubt head towards Perisher gap to cross or if end up round the Gutheries side head to Snowy & cross on nu bridge there.

 

[SMSkier]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

Fwiw: The range it looks fairly tree-free (common issue in Vic), but it has a lot of small ups and downs say from east to west. It’s probably best traversed via the south(ish) face from Mt P, ie. not climbing any unnecessary knolls - since we’d trying maximise westward speed down to the road. (Daylight in early Sept. would help).

Cheers ‘locals’ for any thoughts. Or is the road from the pass SW of MtP. Much quicker / less faffing?

I know it well. There’s a neat bit of tree skiing going down from Paralyser Trig (Kosi Rd end) to the creek. Hardly anyone does it. Generally you can find a snow bridge otherwise it’s as exactly @skifree pointed out.

Assuming you cross the creek then options to get up to Guthries (trig end) include via the lower elevation towards where the snowy hydro folks take the readings and up to the trig. Or a steeper line more direct to the trig.

From the trig there’s obvious options. If adequate cover you can just drop down to the road. Or if wanting to get a more easy route to the village; take the traverse ridge line to Mt Guthrie. Drop in down a steepish little chute (needs decent cover) and your on the Guthries Poma area.

Have done it Mt P to Stillwell and back. Good fun. Have fun….

 

[bullet]

We had some unfinished business from paralizer yesterday so went for another play.

Curathers and Twynam from paralizer

 

[AT&TeleMike]

South Ramshead was on today.

 

[ecowain]

Rolling ground is pleasant tonight at 1900m. Built an 8 person snow cave this arvo in a big drift.

Still some snow bridges around whites, but most of the big ones have gone in the past week.

 

[snowgum]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

I know it well. There’s a neat bit of tree skiing going down from Paralyser Trig (Kosi Rd end) to the creek. Hardly anyone does it. Generally you can find a snow bridge otherwise it’s as exactly @skifree pointed out.

Assuming you cross the creek then options to get up to Guthries (trig end) include via the lower elevation towards where the snowy hydro folks take the readings and up to the trig. Or a steeper line more direct to the trig.

From the trig there’s obvious options. If adequate cover you can just drop down to the road. Or if wanting to get a more easy route to the village; take the traverse ridge line to Mt Guthrie. Drop in down a steepish little chute (needs decent cover) and your on the Guthries Poma area.

Have done it Mt P to Stillwell and back. Good fun. Have fun….

It sounds like a great adventure. How many hours would you estimate this trip (one way) would take please. My friends suggest we jump of the Mt P lifts mid arvo, before heading to CP.

It sounds like an early P lunch and allowing a few hours (with a safety provision) might be wise? Especially as none of us have navigated the Paralyser before. (We’ve skied the main range a few times). Ta.

 

[SMSkier]

It sounds like a great adventure. How many hours would you estimate this trip (one way) would take please. My friends suggest we jump of the Mt P lifts mid arvo, before heading to CP.

It sounds like an early P lunch and allowing a few hours (with a safety provision) might be wise? Especially as none of us have navigated the Paralyser before. (We’ve skied the main range a few times). Ta.

Couple of hours should do it…snow stiffens up though in the afternoon.

 

[Myazma]

 

[Myazma]

MR avi

 

[snowgum]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

I know it well. There’s a neat bit of tree skiing going down from Paralyser Trig (Kosi Rd end) to the creek. Hardly anyone does it. Generally you can find a snow bridge otherwise it’s as exactly @skifree pointed out.

Assuming you cross the creek then options to get up to Guthries (trig end) include via the lower elevation towards where the snowy hydro folks take the readings and up to the trig. Or a steeper line more direct to the trig.

From the trig there’s obvious options. If adequate cover you can just drop down to the road. Or if wanting to get a more easy route to the village; take the traverse ridge line to Mt Guthrie. Drop in down a steepish little chute (needs decent cover) and your on the Guthries Poma area.

Have done it Mt P to Stillwell and back. Good fun. Have fun….

Thanks a lot - will check my maps before serious contemplation.

 

[snowgum]

Couple of hours should do it…snow stiffens up though in the afternoon.

Cheers

 

[Myazma]

Couple more, smashing thru ice across the Snowy and Clubby

 

[PiedPiper]

Is foremans crossing usually covered with snow in peak winter?
Is it a bit unusual to have water flowing in Mid August, or is it always like that every year?

 

[Boodwah]

Couple more, smashing thru ice across the Snowy and Clubby

High altitude looks super loaded

 

[Myazma]

Is foremans crossing usually covered with snow in peak winter?
Is it a bit unusual to have water flowing in Mid August, or is it always like that every year?

The xing itself isn't usually covered but upstream is. The rain last week washed out all the upstream snow bridges.

High altitude looks super loaded

Loaded, smooth cream hoar frost and no wind damage, excellent conditions.

 

[Myazma]

Pls excuse the ignorant Vic Q here: does anyone know the practicality of skiing from Mt. P. over the Paralyser range, and down to the road near Spencer Creek? ((A possible PM jaunt after an early finish on lifts to get back to CP?)

Fwiw: The range it looks fairly tree-free (common issue in Vic), but it has a lot of small ups and downs say from east to west. It’s probably best traversed via the south(ish) face from Mt P, ie. not climbing any unnecessary knolls - since we’d trying maximise westward speed down to the road. (Daylight in early Sept. would help).

Cheers ‘locals’ for any thoughts. Or is the road from the pass SW of MtP. Much quicker / less faffing?

Spencer's is open the only xing at the southern end of the Paralysler ridge is a jumble of icebergs brought down in high water last week that got choked up just below where the road bears away from the creek towards CP.

 

[bullet]

Couple more, smashing thru ice across the Snowy and Clubby

Nice work, where did you ski today?