Walls of Jerusalem in winter.

[Hans]

I heard today that there is meter or more at the moment. I'm going to have a go at it in a fortnight. First overnight snow hike, first time with snow shoes. Planning to make for Dixon's Kingdom hut it the path is passable. Does anyone have some more elaborative info about progress rates and approximate travel times in and out in varying depths of snow.

Also, does anyone know of a good cheap sub for mid layers? I have the icebreakers and waterproof gear but the mid layers are coming up dry as I can't take cotton and wool layers are prohibitively expensive. Is polyester ok?

[Nuts]

G'day Hans, Some sort of down layer even cheaper jackets or vests are probably the best value for $. Moving early (or late) in the day can make progress quicker but if you meet heavy wet snow could slow you right down. You will need a tent and even if Dixons is too far you should be able to make Wild Dog Creek. Ice can be as much a problem as snow and ther should be one or the other but looking two weeks out is too far, there may be no snow at all by then. If you really want to experience deep snow a couple of days forecast is much more realistic. Perhaps just try the snowshoes on a short walk first, that said, with adequate gear, nice plan if the conditions are right.

[Hans]

Cheers for that.

[MichaelP]

Just got back from a trip up there.

Let's just say... THERE IS A LOT OF SNOW.

You'll need either snowshoes or skis for sure. Pretty much impassible without.
Track is fairly difficult to follow from just after Trappers Hut. Manageable though.
Very tough and slow walking. I may post a trip report soon if I find the time.

[Genesis]

I would love to get up there in the snow, but I need some timw to get my gear stash ready too.

A Trip report would be great, Pics please....

Cheers

Genesis

[lovescoparia]

Hi Hans,
Actually, I have to disagree that your best mid-layer would be down. Down is hopeless when wet. Tasmania is wet. You must have things that retain some warmth if they get wet. I have found polypropylene thermals or light fibrepiles to be excellent mid-layers (take both and layer them up). I often do carry either a down jacket or vest (depending on season) in my pack, but reserve it for being warm and cosy at night in the dry of the tent (or hut). Before I had a down jacket, I just carried a thicker fleece and was fine.

I would just be concerned about you relying on down, wearing it during the day, and then finding you have got it wet (either through parka leakage or sweat). I know modern parkas are very good, but after a whole day in the rain you are inevitably a bit damp inside - often quite wet around the wrists (worse if you are using a stick or pole because your arms are not hanging down), and sometimes a bit soggy around the collar. That is with a good quality (eg $300+) parka. My experience with cheaper parkas is that you can really be quite wet inside them after a few hours in the rain because they start to leak.
Another tip - if it is raining and you are feeling hot, stop and take off one of your underneath layers and put your parka back on with the hood up and all the zips done up. I am always seeing people who have undone their front zip because they are hot, but they still have loads of layers on and are now getting them wet. They stop for a break or the night and are then cold and wet. Make every effort to stay dry under that parka. I often end up walking in a really light layer under the parka so as not to be sweating too much. Carry a neck gaiter and beanie in your pocket and use them to adjust temperature easily on the go. As soon as you stop for a snack or whatever, put on an extra layer/s before you cool down. IF you keep an extra plastic bag (or light drybag) in the top of your pack (or top pack pocket if big enough), you have a place to easily put the layers you are taking on and off without having to get into the main pack liner and potentially get things wet in there.
Happy walking

[ithomas]

That's good advice from lovescoparia.
ian

[cixelsyd]

Hi Hans,
Actually, I have to disagree that your best mid-layer would be down. Down is hopeless when wet. Tasmania is wet. You must have things that retain some warmth if they get wet. I have found polypropylene thermals or light fibrepiles to be excellent mid-layers (take both and layer them up). I often do carry either a down jacket or vest (depending on season) in my pack, but reserve it for being warm and cosy at night in the dry of the tent (or hut). Before I had a down jacket, I just carried a thicker fleece and was fine.

I would just be concerned about you relying on down, wearing it during the day, and then finding you have got it wet (either through parka leakage or sweat). I know modern parkas are very good, but after a whole day in the rain you are inevitably a bit damp inside - often quite wet around the wrists (worse if you are using a stick or pole because your arms are not hanging down), and sometimes a bit soggy around the collar. That is with a good quality (eg $300+) parka. My experience with cheaper parkas is that you can really be quite wet inside them after a few hours in the rain because they start to leak.
Another tip - if it is raining and you are feeling hot, stop and take off one of your underneath layers and put your parka back on with the hood up and all the zips done up. I am always seeing people who have undone their front zip because they are hot, but they still have loads of layers on and are now getting them wet. They stop for a break or the night and are then cold and wet. Make every effort to stay dry under that parka. I often end up walking in a really light layer under the parka so as not to be sweating too much. Carry a neck gaiter and beanie in your pocket and use them to adjust temperature easily on the go. As soon as you stop for a snack or whatever, put on an extra layer/s before you cool down. IF you keep an extra plastic bag (or light drybag) in the top of your pack (or top pack pocket if big enough), you have a place to easily put the layers you are taking on and off without having to get into the main pack liner and potentially get things wet in there.
Happy walking

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought I would completely agree with the above and add that I quite like wool!!!!! I use IceBreaker 120's for my base, then either a 260 or 320 jumper over that and a pac light shell. I often find that I'm taking the middle layer off after about an hour. The cool thing about wool is that it dries relatively easy (depending on how wet it is), it wicks and it doesn't stink.