Mt Anne Circuit in winter

[Captain Cool]

Hi all,

I need some advice please - my brother and I had booked flights to visit Tassie in October & do the Mt Anne circuit - only problem is he kinda forgot that his partners baby is due only weeks out from the scheduled trip and we need to look at alternate dates!

So the only time I can get off work will be in a few weeks time in late August - is the circuit doable in winter or am I crazy thinking we can even attempt it? We both have decent gear and I've experieced all 4 seasons in Tassie, but neither of us have done a middle winter walk as such.

Both of us are reasonably fit and have good experience in Tassie - just not in Winter! Are snow shoes needed? Or should we just can it and stay in sunny Queensland?

Cheers

[hobbitle]

I am doing Mt Anne in mid September so would be curious to know the answer to this question too


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[Azza]

Depends what decent gear and experience means?

If there is anything like the current snow conditions and you've got no chance...
The problem is going to be the Notch on Mt Lot and or getting up the last section of Mt Anne.
It could be anything from an ice axe, crampons, rope, snow stakes etc.. i.e. a proper mountaineering adventure.
Or a trot across the plateau with snow shoes.
Of course if all the snow melts it could be fine. So depends on the weather.. Snow usually tends to come later in the season for Tassie happens more in August / Sept.

Suffice to say you probably make it as far as the plateau or the notch, then can probably decide from there whether you think its worth proceeding.

So I don't think anyone can accurately tell you what it'll be like... Given the recent mega-dump I would possible expect some of these snow drifts to last for quite a while.

[Binder]

G'day Captain

One of the trickiest sections in the snow is anywhere you have to boulder hop, such as the climb above the Eliza Hut to the summit of Eliza. Danger is that with a cover of snow, you can't see the holes between the rocks, and a lot of the time the snow isn't solid enough or thick enough to support your weight. Real easy to disappear between the rocks

No reports on how deep the cover is up there yet, (we still can't get to the top of Mt Field even) but given the amount there has been generally, and other sections that have been mentioned like the notch, you may want to have a plan B. More snow forecast in a couple of days time.

Cheers

[Scottyk]

I would say that given the winter we seem to be have the circuit would not be passable to all but very well equipped and experienced groups. August will likely see more snow with much of the route getting very little or no direct sun in winter it will hold snow and ice.
Assuming you do the route north to south, getting out of the notch will be difficult and it will get harder after that as the southern side of Mt Lot where the traverse goes will be all ice and snow..
Not impossible for experienced mountaineers but most of us wouldn't get past the Notch.

[north-north-west]

Having once tried for Anne's summit in deepish snow, must say I wouldn't do it again without special equipment and training. It's a sometimes treacherous route. And the Notch would be worse, because you couldn't safely use the low level bypass as it would be dangerously icy. Ditto with Lightning Ridge and the descent to the tarns.
Even if there wasn't snow on the climb up Eliza, that also would be icy until mid-late afternoon, given the direction it faces.

[Captain Cool]

Thanks for the info all, will definitely aim for the spring or summer months me thinks

[weetbix456]

August this year would be a very serious undertaking. You'd want some mountaineering experience and a full kitty of gear. This snow isn't going anywhere anytime soon

Here's an image from yesterday - 10/08/15

[icefest]

Good effort weetbix!

[north-north-west]

Yes. Snowy Range would be worth a visit right now, too.

[Mark_O]

A photo from a solo ski trip to the Mt Anne area last Saturday/Sunday straight after the big dump.

DSC03732 by Mark Oates, on Flickr

[Lizzy]

Wow - great shots guys!!

[bushnut]

Amazing shots - any idea what altitude your camp was?

[Mark_O]

Hi Bushnut,

I camped on the upper tier of Shelf Camp at approximately 1150m. Would still be a massive amount of snow and ice up there at present. For those interested in seeing some more photos of Mt Anne, Eliza Plateau, Shelf Camp and Lot / Lightning Ridge under snow (hopefully this link works):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124414223@N05

I got to within 150 metres of the Notch but even with crampons, iceaxe and considerable experience it was challenging due to conditions at the time and going solo.
Also a couple of photos of Cradle Mountain with snow (3 day snowshoe circuit of Cradle with students) from Thu-Sat this week gone, at the above link.
When I get time I'll make and post a video of the trip.

Cheers, Mark

[icefest]

Those photos are incredible mark.

How much of the plateau was skiable/did you ski all the way down to shelf camp?

[Mark_O]

Thanks Icefest. I drove there the first day that the Gordan River Rd was officially open to 4WDs (Sat 8th Aug) and there was considerable snow on the drive in. I actually put chains on for a 3 km section near the Creepy Crawley (?) short walk. There was no snow at Condominium Creek but within 750m I and two other groups in the area were walking partially in snow. I was able to ski from 500m below High Camp to the hut and then all the way up Mt Eliza apart from a 30m 55 degree pitch just below the summit of Mt Eliza. The hardest part was the first 250m from the hut but then I headed left/north into a decent snow filled gully and was able to zig zag my way up (on short mountaineering approach skis with full skins and mountaineering boots). Eliza Plateau was completely covered and still would be. It was firm/icy on top but easy skiing with skins on. Crossing the rocky boulder field just south of the main Mt Anne saddle on skis was a slight challenge and then due to firm conditions from the saddle I opted for full crampons down onto Shelf Camp and then out towards the Notch on the Sunday morning. I was able to stay on skis again on the return to the same place 500m below High Camp. That said I wasn't really 'skiing' the descent off Mt Eliza - I was traversing, side slipping and kick-turning. Again the hardest part was the 200m in the snowgums just above the hut as it was extremely unconsolidated through there. I doubt that there is enough snow to currently ski between the hut and Mt Eliza at present so would require walking the normal route over the boulders. It's likely that crampons and an iceaxe may be necessary.

[icefest]

Incredible.
I'm assuming you've quite a bit of mountaineering experience then?

[weetbix456]

I was hoping Benny boy sent you a shout out of thanks for all the tracks you left us after the weekend Mark!! It sure helped a great deal in the dark Sunday night Hauling skis up that track sure was a killer...so thanks again! It's interesting as last winter trip we ended up in the same gully, climbing onto Mt Eliza. Nice pics BTW. Awesome times.

[Mark_O]

Cheers Weetbix! Glad the tracks were helpful.Great to hear of and see photos of your adventures. Look forward to hearing/seeing more.

Icefest - the short answer to that questions is yes with a LOT of time on XC/tele skis with a heavy pack. That is why I now travel as much as possible with much lighter gear.

Forgot to mention that the cover on the Cradle Plateau is obviously excellent. I skied from below the Scout Hut on Horse Ridge to the end of Cradle Cirque (500m from Waterfall Valley Hut) on Thursday. It looked you could tour to Windermere on skis if you followed the snow patches. That said anywhere in trees was quite soft and extremely hard work even for a big group with snowshoes. Stick to the windswept areas where possible.

Amazing touring opportunities this season.

[Nuts]

Wow! I'll say, very special, awesome pic.