Mt Jagungal snowshoe trip 2012

[Tony]

Mt Jagungal snowshoe trip

Day 1

On Saturday we left the Munyang Power Station carpark at 9.30 am, our plan was to on Saturday snowshoe to Mawsons Hut some 19k then with an early start on Sunday snowshoe to Mt Jagungal and back (around 19k), then on Monday snowshoe back to the Munyang, I had snowshoed a few times out of Munyang but this was the first time that I could put my snowshoes on at the Power station.

Aquaduct Track

Previous trips we have snowshoed into Mawsons Hut via the beautiful Kerries Ridge but this time we decided to go via Schlink Hut for a change. The snow being fresh, it was a bit soft but was still good going, the main problem we had some cross country skiers giving us a hard time for walking on the Aquaduct track with snow shoes, I managed to keep my cool and eventually we got in front of them and did not see them again. Just after we turned onto the Schlink trail we met a friend of mine who had been cross country skiing in the backcountry for 31 days, it was her last day out and she was heading for her car which was parked at Munyang.

Schlink pass

We stopped for lunch at Schlink Hut and enjoyed the company of four young people from Victoria, we then headed north to Mawsons hut along a ridge just west of the Kerries, we arrived at Mawsons at 4pm, it was a delightful days snowshoeing. At the hut were six XC skiers, three groups of two, we set up our tents while some of the other people staying in the hut cut some wood for the evening. I was at Mawsons Hut five weeks ago and this time the snow was at least 1-1.5 meters deeper near the hut. We had a very pleasant evening sitting around the stove, talking about gear and huts before retiring to our tents around 8pm.

The way ahead.

Day 1, total, distance-19k, total ascent 984 meters. Moving average 3.9kph

Our target Mt Jagungal

Day 2

The next morning we rose at 6 am to get ready for our trip to the top of Mt Jagungal, on my previous trip to Mawsons it took a party of XC skiers over 9 hours to ski to Mt Jagungal and back and on Saturday two skiers took six and a half hour to do the trip and even then they did not make the top. We where on our way by 7.30 and decided to take as straight as line to the top as possible, as the crow flies my GPS told me that to was 8.5k to the top, the direct route took us over a few ridges, but we still had to weave our way around some of the steeper and rockier ridges. At 9.30 am we had made the base of Mt Jagungal we had made good time, but we still had 260 odd meter very steep climb up to the top, after a short break for a drink and something to eat we started the final climb, we made the top at 10.05 am, the GPS said we had traveled 9.5k, it took us 2 hour 35 minutes. The views from Mt Jagungal where magnificent, we had a clear view of the northern face of Watsons Craggs, we could easily see the Bogong High Plains in Victoria, it was quite windy on top and with the wind chill after ten minutes and a phone call to wish my dad happy fathers day, we decided to head back, we mostly followed our tracks back and arrived back at Mawsons Hut at 12.45 pm, we had traveled 19k in just over five hours, the GPS said we had a moving average of 4.2 kph.

Day 2, our view of Mt Jagungal.

We walked up the from the left

The view from Mt Jagungal, Watsons Craggs on the left and Bogong High plains in the distance.

Mawsons Hut.

As the trip up to and back took us much less time than expected we decided that after lunch and a rest we would move onto Tin Hut for the night and have a shorter trip back to the car on Monday and get home early to get some BP’s, even though we where a bit tired the 5k trip to Tin Hut was straight forward, we followed Valentines River, over the watershed into the Finns River catchment and onto the hut, a total of 24 k for the day, When we arrived, there was already someone at the hut, another snowshoer, he was outside cutting up some wood. It was quite windy so I decided to stay the night in the hut, my mate Dave set his Scarp 1 tent outside near the new toilet. We had a very pleasant evening chatting to the other snowshoer who turned to be robl another member of BWA, last time I was in Tin Hut the stove leaked smoke very badly but thanks to robl, he sorted it out and there was only a small amount of smoke inside the hut.

Day 2 totals, distance-24k, total ascent 881 meters, moving average 4.3 kph.


A nearly buried Tin Hut at sunrise with the moon over the Kerries.

Day3

Again we rose early as we wanted to get away early, again we decided to take a different route to our car and wandered down to Finns Swamp, then over the middle of Disappointment Ridge, down to the Aqueduct Track and back to the car.


Finns Swamp from the upper Finns River.

Day 3 totals, distance-13.25k, total ascent 465m, moving average 4.2 kph.

Trip totals, distance, 56.25k, total ascent 2330 meters.

At the start Dave’s pack weighed in at 11.5kg, mine weighed 12 kg, this included, 1.5 liters of water and 600 mls of Port.

The lowest temperature recorded -3.8C.

Tony

[hikingoz]

What a great trip Tony. Such a great place to go snowshoeing too...

[Tony]

What a great trip Tony. Such a great place to go snowshoeing too...

Thanks hikingoz,

it was awesome, I cannot wait until I can get back up.

Tony

[tele-whippet]

Nice TR Tony, it's a great area to visit in winter, am glad you had a great time
+1 and I did the exact same trip 3 weeks ago on skis, breaking trail most of the way from GPS to J and back.
We met some snow shoers walking directly in the uphill single ski track (thought about explaining BC etiquette but said a friendly g'day and kept going muttering under our breath)
It's a common courtesy in the BC skiing fraternity to leave a single uphill ski tram track on one side of a snowy thoroughfare and on the other side a downhill/free for all slope --- cos XC patterned skis need full base contact so as to not slip backwards --- if someone puts big yeti prints every metre -- it becomes a PITA.
In Europe and USA fistycuffs have been known to erupt over walking in ski tracks.
Just saying. Happy shoeing!

[kanangra]

I am interested in the sort of shoes you use. What do you fine best for Main Range conditions? I have been thinking of buying myself a pair from the US? Do you use stocks with them?

K.

[Tony]

I am interested in the sort of shoes you use. What do you fine best for Main Range conditions? I have been thinking of buying myself a pair from the US? Do you use stocks with them?

K.

Hi kanangra,

We have some MSR Denali Classic Snowshoes, (ours are older models), we find them more than adequate for the main range especially when it is icy as they have inbuilt crampons, though we have struggled at times at lower altitudes when the snow is very soft and in deep powder, but this is not very common. We got ours from the US, they were very cheap at an end of season sale, my mates wife brought them back for us on one of her trips to visit family in the US, I think they cost us around A$100 each pair.

I am currently using my old three pin ski boots, my mate uses some Gortex lined Scarpa boots, I have used eVent lined shoes and would prefer to use shoes but find that snow builds up on the top and the heat of the feet melts the snow and they eventually leak, this also happens a bit with my ski boots but not as bad.

I definitely use ski stocks when snowshoeing, they help to keep balance and stability as you can slide forward, back and sideways sometimes, they also can help when climbing and descending very steep hills.

Tony

[ninjapuppet]

Once again, a Nice report tony.

Did you sleep with your summer lite+ quit?

I was in bogong last month with a brooks range half bag and rab neutrino jacket. Worked well at -5c too.

[Dale]

A good read Tony.

I was at Mt Tate last weekend for my inaugural snow shoeing trip - a load of fun, great weather and people.

We met some snow shoers walking directly in the uphill single ski track (thought about explaining BC etiquette but said a friendly g'day and kept going muttering under our breath)
It's a common courtesy in the BC skiing fraternity to leave a single uphill ski tram track on one side of a snowy thoroughfare and on the other side a downhill/free for all slope --- cos XC patterned skis need full base contact so as to not slip backwards --- if someone puts big yeti prints every metre -- it becomes a PITA.
In Europe and USA fistycuffs have been known to erupt over walking in ski tracks.
Just saying. Happy shoeing!

Guilty !

Hey Ninja - the Brooks Range Alpini worked a treat - temps got to about -7 overnight. Paired with a Nano Puff as a mid layer I was very toasty outside.

[kanangra]

Thanks Tony.

K.

[Tortoise]

Sounds brilliant, Tony. When i lived in more northern climes, this was a favourite area of mine in summer. I used to dream of ski or snow shoe trip. Sigh!

At the start Dave’s pack weighed in at 11.5kg, mine weighed 12 kg, this included, 1.5 liters of water and 600 mls of Port.

Can't fathom how you managed that!! I'd be doing well to keep my pack under 20kgs for that trip Well, maybe I could do 18.

Last edited by Tortoise on Thu 06 Sep, 2012 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[justacouch]

Thanks for the words and pics Tony. So much snow!

[hikingoz]

1+ on the MSR Denalis

[Tony]

Once again, a Nice report tony.

Did you sleep with your summer lite+ quit?

I was in bogong last month with a brooks range half bag and rab neutrino jacket. Worked well at -5c too.

Hi ninjapuppet,

Thanks it was a special trip.

Yes I did sleep with my Summerlite and BPL quilt, on the first night I used my WM Flash jacket and pants and I was toasty warm, on the second night in the hut I just used the Summerlite and quilt.

Tony

[Tony]

Thanks Dale, Tortoise and justacouch,

Can't fathom how you managed that!! I'd be doing well to keep my pack under 20kgs for that trip Well, maybe I could do 18.

Tortoise, I have used this kit in the snow for a while now, I am down to around that pack weight with many years of trial and error, last year we camped near the Wilkinsons Creek at around -20C, I was comfortable but had to use every piece of clothing I had.

Tony

[PiniPowPow]

Fantastic TR, thanks for sharing. Ive been meaning to get out that way in winter at some stage but havent had a chance of yet.

By the way, here is the Schlinks sign in summer, looks a bit different!

[Tortoise]

Can't fathom how you managed that!! I'd be doing well to keep my pack under 20kgs for that trip Well, maybe I could do 18.

Tortoise, I have used this kit in the snow for a while now, I am down to around that pack weight with many years of trial and error, last year we camped near the Wilkinsons Creek at around -20C, I was comfortable but had to use every piece of clothing I had.

Tony

Very impressive! Sounds like i need to take a more serious look at how i can get my weight down (in more ways than one!)
Any other quick tips on what things you saved weight on without sacrificing comfort / safety? I know there's other threads i got bamboozled by...

[ninjapuppet]

Quickest method is to just copy to Tony's gear list. Might cost you a fair bit, but still cheaper than the trial and error process we all go through

[Tony]

Fantastic TR, thanks for sharing. Ive been meaning to get out that way in winter at some stage but havent had a chance of yet.

By the way, here is the Schlinks sign in summer, looks a bit different!

Hi PiniPowPow,

It is a beautiful area in both summer and winter.

I have been up that way a few times in Summer, last time a few years ago now, was a few days before Christmas, we were hit by storm where it started to rain, then the rain turned to sleet and then snow, we made it to Schlink hut just before a very wild horizontal hail storm hit.

Tony

[SteveJ]

Great trip report, it has inspired my to think about a snow shoe trip next season, mmmm more gear to buy.

Steve

[Tony]

Can't fathom how you managed that!! I'd be doing well to keep my pack under 20kgs for that trip Well, maybe I could do 18.

Tortoise, I have used this kit in the snow for a while now, I am down to around that pack weight with many years of trial and error, last year we camped near the Wilkinsons Creek at around -20C, I was comfortable but had to use every piece of clothing I had.

Tony

Very impressive! Sounds like i need to take a more serious look at how i can get my weight down (in more ways than one!)
Any other quick tips on what things you saved weight on without sacrificing comfort / safety? I know there's other threads i got bamboozled by...

Hi Tortoise,

I will do a gear list over the weekend and post it.

A few tips, I try not to take things I do not use, I try to multi use things like wear my clothes in my sleeping bag to add warmth, I use the lightest plate, spoon, mug, etc, I can find. On this trip I took less gas than I normally would as I knew I could melt snow on the hut stoves or even better get water from streams.

Tony

[north-north-west]

Geez, you had wonderful weather!

But now you've got me wondering. I have 4 days off at the end of the month and will be hitting KNP somewhere. Had originally though about starting at the Power Station, going up Disappointment to Gungartan, then across Schlink to Dicky Coopers and on the the Main Range, looping back around via Illawong on the last day. But now, the though of getting up Jagungal in the snow is overpowering me. Weather will probably be dreadful, but.

[Tortoise]

Hi Tortoise,

I will do a gear list over the weekend and post it.

A few tips, I try not to take things I do not use, I try to multi use things like wear my clothes in my sleeping bag to add warmth, I use the lightest plate, spoon, mug, etc, I can find. On this trip I took less gas than I normally would as I knew I could melt snow on the hut stoves or even better get water from streams.

Thanks for that, Tony. I think i don't take things i don't use (except the PLB & a 'reasonable' 1st aid kit etc), but it's time to have a rethink, and your list will help me with that.

I've cut back to a teeny plastic spatula thing (from ??Maccas) instead of a knife, one little spoon, no plate -just the little billy & lid, favourite mug (plastic, not the absolute lightest, but the inner comes out for brewing coffee

But I think the big thing may be (?unnecessary) caution based on an early experience of hypothermia (probably would have died if I was on my own, except if i'd been on my own I wouldn't have lent my gear to someone who had said they had 'got hold of everything on the list', so I wouldn't have had frozen solid woollen army pants, gloves etc)

Add a couple of FREEEEEEZING nights, a couple of significant injuries (other peoples') to manage - one nasty wound, with inadequate 1st aid kit, and one complex & potentially fatal injury - and an anxiety disorder (mine) , and i end up with a whopping pack! Being 5ft nothing, a bit overweight and underfit, this significantly limits what i can do.

Seriously under 12 kg in WINTER if i leave the port at home - tantalising!!!

[Tony]

Geez, you had wonderful weather!

But now you've got me wondering. I have 4 days off at the end of the month and will be hitting KNP somewhere. Had originally though about starting at the Power Station, going up Disappointment to Gungartan, then across Schlink to Dicky Coopers and on the the Main Range, looping back around via Illawong on the last day. But now, the though of getting up Jagungal in the snow is overpowering me. Weather will probably be dreadful, but.

Hi NNW,

We lucked out with the weather, a few days earlier and the weather was crap, a day later and it was crap, this happened in my July trip too, then the weather was the best I have ever had, one afternoon some wind came up I had to put on a thermal.

I have on my list to do Dicky Coopers, Rolling Ground to Twynam as I have not done this part of the main Range in either summer or winter, though I have been up Tate and Twynam a few times. Another trip I want to do is around the southern side of Kosci and visit the little red Lake Cootapatamba Hut.

Tony

[Tony]

Hi Tortoise,

Here is my winter gear list, to it I will add a PLB 250g, The pack is a Lightwave Ultrahike 60, 1.25 kg, it is not my lightest but it is by far my most comfortable for 12kg ish, my tent is a Mountain Designs Nutrino 1, which I have modified to make it into a four seasons tent. The down Jacket and pants are worn around camp and to use inside my sleeping bags if needed.

I will add a caution as this a what I use on teh Main Range in Winter, scrub bashing in SW Tasmania could need a tougher, heavier pack and jacket, but the rest should be OK.

I hope this helps

Winter gear list2.jpg (84.64 KiB) Viewed 30396 times

Tony

[Tortoise]

Thanks heaps Tony.

[mtbarney]

Hi Tony,
thanks for your comments on my learning to ski post. Your trip log is food for thought.....maybe we need more practice on our snowshoes .....msr lightning ascents. I am very impressed with the distances you covered each day.

How did you modify your tent to become 4 season tent. ? We use a Hillieberg Nallo 3gt....4.4 kg between the two of us, but a palace...very comfy.

[Tony]

Hi Tony,
thanks for your comments on my learning to ski post. Your trip log is food for thought.....maybe we need more practice on our snowshoes .....msr lightning ascents. I am very impressed with the distances you covered each day.

How did you modify your tent to become 4 season tent. ? We use a Hillieberg Nallo 3gt....4.4 kg between the two of us, but a palace...very comfy.

Hi mtbarney,

To modify the Mountain Designs Neutrino 1 tent I added two guy ropes to the lower end of the tent, the higher or front end already had two, this made the tent more stable in strong wind, I also added a light cloth cover to the fly screen door of the inner tent, this makes the tent a little bit warmer when it is very cold.

The Hillieberg Nallo 3gt.... is an excellent tent but at 4.4 kg it is heavy, the Mountain Designs Neutrino 2 is (was) only 1.8 kg.

Tony

[Nuts]

I could imagine you would feel like going again. Perhaps tempted to keep heading south from Jajungal? 31 days would be a real adventure!
You look to have picked the weather! Nice set of images Tony.

[mtbarney]

Tony, any tips on your snow shoeing technique?

I find that your distances are amazing. We found on snowshoes , we were travelling at around half our walking pace. Your distances and ascents we would have had trouble replicating just hiking. Your insights would be appreciated.

[Tony]

Tony, any tips on your snow shoeing technique?

I find that your distances are amazing. We found on snowshoes , we were travelling at around half our walking pace. Your distances and ascents we would have had trouble replicating just hiking. Your insights would be appreciated.

Hi mtbarney,

Practice is the number one tip, our snowshoeing technique has improved a lot over the last couple of years since we started to snowshoe more regularly, and go when the snow is hard is another, snowshoeing is no fun in soft snow, you can do this by sticking to the higher elevations and avoid going just after a big dump.

Go light, it makes a big difference.

Tony