What would Mt Field be like this weekend?

[Thornbill]

Hi folks

A mate and I had planned an overnighter up to Mt Field this weekend (camping somewhere around Twilight Tarn). This week's weather has probably thrown that plan out the window! Even if the Lake Dosbon Rd were open on Saturday morning, and we could get to the top in a 2WD (my guess would be unlikely), my question would be what would the walking conditions be like up there do you reckon? We haven't got snow shoes, but well equipped otherwise. The plan was to walk around via Lake Webster then back along Tarn Shelf Sunday. Anyone walked up there after a similar big snowfall????

[whynotwalk]

Hi Thornbill - this recent post from the PWS facebook page might help you decide.

THERE'S LOTS OF SNOW AT MT FIELD THIS WEEKEND...
In fact, there's so much snow that you might struggle to see it! The Lake Dobson Road is currently closed due to a landslide and tree falls. Crews are working to re-open the road as soon as possible to 4WD vehicles and 2WD vehicles with snow-chains. Phone 0362881149 for road and snow updates.

So 2WD without chains won't work. And the road might be closed ... and then there's the forecast for the area. http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/mount-field.shtml

If after all that you did go, you'd want to have excellent cold weather gear and good stamina for walking in these conditions. It would probably involve quite a bit of "post-holing". In short stints, with somewhere safe to retreat to, that can still be excellent. Or it can be hideous! Happy (and wise) decision making

cheers

Peter

[Thornbill]

Hi Peter

Yeah we wont be heading up there given the conditions and the road. I was just wondering that if, hypothetically, we did go as planned, what the walking would be like up there tomorrow. I've not spent much time around that area really. I have done some snow walking, but probably not in as much as will be up there at the moment. But thanks for your info. I think maybe a nice day walk on sunday will have to do instead

[whynotwalk]

The Lake Webster track to Twilight Tarn could be quite lovely in those conditions. It's a little more sheltered, and being mostly below 1000m, it wouldn't have such deep snow.

Twilight Tarn Hut, with it's unofficial ski museum, is a worthy destination in its own right. Looking at the old gear inside the hut, and reading stories of moonlight ice skating on that lake - to the accompaniment of gramophone music - takes you to another era! But in the meantime, enjoy wherever you walk on Sunday,

cheers

Peter

[north-north-west]

Wild, wet, windy and wintry. But FUN!!!!