Meeting: 9.00am, Friday 1st August, outside the Court House Hotel, Jamieson.
Standard - Easy-medium
Fuel - Full tank from Jamieson. It's normally 50km on to the snow + play time + return so fuel can get a little tight for stock tanked sierras. Best to bring a small jerry.
Agenda - As per previous years, hitting the (hopefully) fresh snow on friday, setting camp somewhere near the summit and camping friday and saturday nights. There will be a group coming up on Saturday morning for sure.
I'm sure some of the group will elect to stay at the Jamieson Brewery on Saturday night as per last year, but considering how some of us pulled up on Sunday morning, I vote it's safer to stay on the mountain
I'm not making any accommodation bookings for anyone - it's everyone for themselves. There's at least three places to stay in Jamieson.
I will be leaving Melbourne on Thursday afternoon after work if anyone wants to travel up with me.
See below for my snow trip/camping notes.
Please feel free to post any questions on here or call me on 0407 049 763 to discuss.
PLEASE - confirm when you are coming up. I need to know who to expect.
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.
