Western Arthurs in May?

[nq111]

Brains Trust,

I am looking for some further perspective regarding walking the Western Arthurs in early May (short route out via Kappa Morraine). I have been planning for an early March walk however looks like the window is closing

First things first, I have done plenty of walking in Tassie (I even lived there for three years). I know what Tassie can throw at any time of year and frankly it scares me some. Which is why I am cautious and seeking extra information.

I haven't ever done the Western Arthurs (though have done a number of other walks in the southwest including Mt Anne curcuit with it snowing all the way) and my memories of walking this time of year down there are a bit hazy

Key questions I have:

- I generally remember autumn weather as being kinder on average than most times of the year in Tassie (though s$%&t happens at any time). Our recent walks have been spring and we always end up being pinned down in tent days at some point with wind and snow. Fine - we do and will allow for some of this. What are other's experiences of May weather in the Southwest?
- Some potentially big days involved on this walk, which may be slowed down with ice/ sludge. Could be an issue with days being short. Times reported seem to be very variable. Any further opinions on realistic times and under what conditions?
- I have found notes of a number of so-so camps if necessary along the way, but there also seem to be at least two committed days (between Lake Oberon and Haven Lake) with little options to hunker down before the final destination. Anyone have differing advice?
- What is the scrambling like with a bit of snow and ice? We'll take crampons and maybe ice axes (not sure if much use given it will be mixed stuff and likely just sludgy). But given the short days we'll have to be moving - if there is likely to be anything more than basic occasional ropework for haulage etc, then I can't see the route being a great idea that time of year.

Also, we are both fit and strong walkers, with ropework, climbing and snow experience. We have top-notch gear all round. But I am not taking on this walk that time of year without a good plan and good get-out options. And even with this, if the forecast is not good on arrival (if we do go) we'll have to divert to something else instead.

Thanks in advance.

[north-north-west]

A lot to cover.

May is really early winter in Tassie. It may be good, it may be dreadful. But generally you're right - autumn is, on average, more settled than spring or early summer.

From memory, camping between High Moor and Haven is pretty well non-existent. You could bivvy, but even that would be uncomfortable. Oberon to High Moor isn't as bad - there are a number of spots to pitch although they might be a bit more exposed than you would like.

It's easy to turn around and walk back out from Oberon if the weather goes off at that point. Beyond, you need to be a bit more committed.

If you can do the Anne circuit in the snow, the WArthurs is within your capabilities. It's longer and more full-on, but the hardest bits aren't as hard as the hardest bits of Anne. It's just that there are so many more of them . . .

[nq111]

Thanks north-north-west.

Sounds like Major Decision Point at Lake Oberon, and second possible pull back from between Lake Oberon and High Moor and from there it is all in? Only proceed from High Moor with a good weather outlook.

Any thoughts on how scrungy the steep parts of the route get and if this is the sort of thing that will be much worse under a bit of snow? On Mt Anne Circuit all the high parts are pretty clean, but doesn't appear so on this one.

Also, any thoughts on how much travel times are likely to be extended if conditions are inclement? Not real bad (tent day) inclement, but wet, icy and slippery. On the Anne circuit we pack hauled the Notch due to slippery snow and wind but otherwise the weather didn't slow us down the days we were moving.

[north-north-west]

Personally I wouldn't go past Capricorn if I thought it was going to be really bad, because the climb down there is one of the more 'interesting' parts of the track. That was my point of no return, as at the time I didn't think I'd be able to climb back up.

There's a lot of rock and a lot of scrambling, all the way through. The Beggary Bumps are the most full-on section, but once you're past Cygnus there isn't a day without some scrambling. I've not done it in snow, so can't really comment on that, but with the amount of scrambling - and often pack-hauling - ice and snow would slow you down a fair bit. Imagine doing the Notch ten to fifteen times in one day.
There is some very nice camping near Sirona, so Haven to Scorpio and Kappa Moraine isn't so bad.

[DaveNoble]

The key thing is weather. You can get snow and long periods of rain (with a higher probability than in summer), but you can also get a fine spell. But you can also get a reasonable weather forecast so know what to expect. Even in the range you should be able to get weather forecasts by cell phone or from radio broadcasts. If you do get snow - then it is not likely to last a real long time, as the maritime climate ensures that you also get rain to wash it off. You would not expect any built up icy patches at that time of the year.

If you do the "standard" days - then they are not very long - both in distance or in hours, but you do have reduced daylight hours during May.

I have only done the range once in May, and that too was a partial traverse (A to K). On that trip we did have to sit out bad weather at Lake Oberon for a few days. It is strongly recommended that you allow for stormbound days in your schedule. You also need to watch for creeks on the Arthur Plains - they can flood very quickly and be hard and dangerous to cross.

Dave

[nq111]

Thanks everyone, this is helping plenty with the planning.

[JamesMc]

Creek crossings on the Arthur Plains could be problematic.

James Mc