Snow trip- 14-15-16 August - Cancelled due to road closure

[gwagensteve]

2009 Snow trip

Here's the details:

Destination: Mt Skene Via Jamieson
Schedule: Some of us will be travelling to Jamieson on Thursday Night. If you are planning on doing this, let me know. We'll probably be staying in the Courthouse Hotel (That's the Pub)

The Friday Group will be heading up the hill from about 9.00 Friday, and making camp where we can/where looks good.

Some of us will he camping in the snow on at least Friday night. If the weather is good, we'll be there Saturday night too. If the weather is bad, we'll be at the van park or elsewhere on Saturday night.

Standard: Easy really, It's as hard as you want to make it. It depends a lot on the conditions. The driving is fun and rarely a hassle.

Here's my snow trip gear guide from some years ago. This applies to camping. Obviously, disregard the camping gear if you only plan coming up for the day.

LEt me know if you are keen, and when you're coming up.

We need someone to "lead" anyone planning on coming up on Saturday morning.

SNOW TRIP PREPARATION NOTES

Stuff for the 4WD
Tyres with reasonable tread
A healthy battery, alternator and starter motor
Plenty of antifreeze in the radiator
A decently sized shovel, well secured
A tyre pressure gauge
A snatch strap and shackle
A can of WD40 or similar
A can of Aerostart (especially for diesels)
When we reach the snow remove vulnerable mud flaps
You can bring chains if you wish, but I will not recommend when or if they should be fitted
You may want some rubber floor mats if you have carpet
For diesels - Add anti-waxing agent or have a majority fill of alpine diesel at Mansfield
Don't leave your handbrake on when parked in the snow

Stuff for You
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Lip balm
Gloves ie fleece/thermal gloves better than ski for dexterity
Beanie
Warm, WATERPROOF jacket
Overpants (optional) they don't have to be bling ski style ones, nylon is fine
We do not recommend jeans as outerwear. They can be worn under overpants, but I would recommend looser fitting cargo style pants, tracksuit pants or fleece pants.
Extra pairs of socks (at least four pairs)
Thermals- modern thermals will wick moisture away for the skin, to keep you dry and warmer.
More thinner layers are more effective than one thick layer. . Keep your warmest clothes dry for Saturday night/ Sunday mornings when we are less active.
FOOTWEAR: We highly recommend hiring SORELS CARIBOU snow boots. They are guaranteed waterproof and warm. They have 9mm thick wool felt lining that pulls water (sweat) away from the foot. ALL other boots used for general hiking etc will leave the foot damp due to sweat and you will have really cold toes. Once the boot is wet inside and out it A) tends to leak and B) tends to freeze solid overnight. Snowseal will not stop this. SKIMAN in Hawthorn is one source for hire SORELS, but not the only. Do not bring Gumboots or Runners with plastic bags in them. If you must bring your own boots, please make sure they are good quality high lace up boots (6-8") and ensure you have at least two pairs.

Stuff for Camping:
The smaller the tent the better. I would SERIOUSLY DISCOURAGE anyone from bringing a canvas tent, being cold, bulky and very hard to pitch in snow. Small dome tents are the best.
We are effectively mountain camping and can experience very bad weather, with high winds and snow loading. It is best to beg, borrow or hire at least a rated 3 season tent. Some cheap domes are acceptable, but most will not remain stable in high winds - unstable tent = no sleep.
DO NOT PLAN TO SLEEP IN THE CAR.
Swags are OK if you are an experienced swag camper and are confident in your setup.
The general idea is to pitch the tent on packed down snow and bank the snow up between the fly and the outside to seal in the warm air. This works a treat.
Stuff for Sleeping:
You need to insulate the cold of the snow from coming up from below. On the floor of your tent, we recommend a blanket (rubber backed, fleece, thermal or wool). On top of that place your mattress. DO NOT USE AIRBEDS. Use a ¾”foam sleeping mat or a therma rest. Foam mattresses are OK but not ideal. Place another blanket over this, and your sleeping bags on top.
I would hesitate to recommend a bag rated at warmer than -10 degrees. It is ok to add blankets to boost the warmth of a bag, or a fleece liner. Do not open up a bag to use it as a doona, you will likely get cold.
Pay special attention to this if you are sleeping alone- a single person in a tent is very much harder to keep warm.
I do not recommend taking a hot water bottle to bed- it will get cold quite quickly, without even considering the possibility of a leak.
Clothes left inside the tent overnight against the edges will get damp as there will be significant condensation on the walls of the tent in the morning.
We recommend sleeping in your thermals that you changed into at around dusk and warmed up in around the fire. Do not change into "fresh" read "cold" clothes to go sleep in. Sleep with a beanie on if your head feels at all cold.

Stuff for Eating:
Flasks for warm drinks or instant noodles etc are a nice treat during the day in the snow.
You will be exercising more than you imagine. Walking and digging etc in snow is hard work, not to mention recovering stuck cars. The air will likely be very dry and the thinner air increases your work rate. Drink lots of food and caffine free drinks. You will be quite thirsty.
It is best to not to bring preparation intensive food. If the weather is bad, you will not have the chance. Something hearty that can be reheated is ideal. Pack another days worth of food, even if just canned stuff. This will take the pressure of us if something goes awry.
NOTE: Butane aerosol type burners do not work in the snow. Even LPG can be a bit unreliable. We will have a fire, but recommend a petrol/shellite stove, metho trangia, hexamine stove or similar.
Be aware that alcohol adds to dehydration. Just because it is cold, does not mean you will be immune. Please also consider your safety and the group when drinking on Saturday night. It is easy to get disoriented and pass out or fall through the snow and out of sight. Please be a little bit more thoughtful than usual. We have a large group this year and it will be easy for someone to go unnoticed.

Other Important Stuff:
EVERYONE MUST BRING A BAG OF DRY FIREWOOD!
There are no facilities on the mountain. We have to take all rubbish home
You are welcome to bring snow toys such as X-country skis and toboggans, however let the trip leader know if you are skiing away from the group


Steve.

[cj!]

I'm out this year but assuming I'm up and running I will be looking at a daytrip or even better a night drive either before or after these dates if the snow is good.

[Matthew]

I'll be there.
I'll be staying in Jamieson on the Thursday and Friday nights and driving snow on the Friday. If anyone wants to go up on the Saturday I can "lead" the group if needed.

[dank]

My zook is looking good for this trip. finally making some progress.

[Greg]

Stevie,

Unconfirmed comments on OL Trip and Tracks indicate that Mt Skene has has been closed. Could be worth checking?

From OL:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic112250-210.php

MOUNT SKENE IS CLOSED

Jamieson - Licola Road - Partial Road Closure


Pursuant to Clause 7 of Schedule 11 of the Local Government Act 1989, Council advises, the implementation of the seasonal road closure of part of the Jamieson - Licola Road.

The section to be closed is between Wrens Flat and the Mansfield / Baw Baw Shire Boundary.

The closure will take effect 01 July - 30 September 2009 inclusive.

There will be no access permitted to this section of road during this period regardless of weather conditions. No exemption permits will be issued.

Cheers.

[gwagensteve]

Regretfully,The Mt Skene Road is officially closed.

This information is not a rumor, the details are from the President of the association, Michael Coldham, after a conversation with the mayor of Mansfield shire. There are no exceptions.

As an association-affiliated club, I can't run a trip on this track with a clear conscience, so I'm going to have to cancel the snow trip for this year. I hope everyone understands.

The association is now working on a campaign to have 4WD access to this road permitted over the winter months. I understand the mayor is sympathetic to this.

However, that doesn't change the reality that we're breaking the law if we drive this road. It's unclear who might or will police the closure, but driving on closed roads is an offence nonetheless, and I'm not willing to lead a trip to do it.

However, plans are afoot for a substitute trip this weekend - see the separate thread.

Steve.

[cj!]

Just a follow-up after talking to Bill, the Association has still been pursuing this and the situation as it currently stands is that the Mansfield Shire have closed the road from the Jamieson side but the Baw Baw Shire still have the road open from the Licola side so if you want to go up for a drive then go from Licola. The Association is interested in organising a planned demonstration at some stage too from what I understand.

[andrew_wale]

Just a follow-up after talking to Bill, the Association has still been pursuing this and the situation as it currently stands is that the Mansfield Shire have closed the road from the Jamieson side but the Baw Baw Shire still have the road open from the Licola side so if you want to go up for a drive then go from Licola. The Association is interested in organising a planned demonstration at some stage too from what I understand.

Interesting to hear one shire has closed the road while the other has opened it at the other end.
I can see there being mass confusion.

I am sure this discussion will come up at the MJOC meeting tonight.