Hiking Mt Buller in Winter

[Messidor]

So, I am off to Mt Buller in a week to hopefully summit it via either the West Ridge or the 4-Mile Spur. I have heard the West Ridge can be veritable mountaineering challenge in winter, but the 4-Mile Spur looks to be more achievable. Either way, there will no doubt be heavy snow on the ground and it will be tough going.

I am wondering whether this will require snow shoes. We attempted once before earlier this winter with snow shoes but had to turn back, so we couldn't test out whether they were worth it. We will be waterpoof from head to toe, so will snow shoes still be worth it? Will they make travel a lot faster?

If there's any other advice you have then that would be very helpful, as this is the first time I've hiked in winter (excluding the last failed attempt). By the way it's a day hike, not an overnight.

Attachments

Mt Buller west ridge. May be out of the question as crampons may be mandatory.

image.jpg (69.92 KiB) Viewed 10202 times

[surly 17]

Try having a look at the hiking notes on the wiki ski site there's some good information on mt Buller in winter.

[walkon]

Ghee you sure that you are prepared, you might want to have a go elsewhere first or have someone lead you who has experience.
Snow shoes are good in soft snow until it gets steep. Then they should come off, either one of those assents is steep near the end and I would say that taking crampons plus ice axe is a must. It all depends on the conditions, not just the weather at the time but the snow conditions as well. Both of these are highly changeable.

[wildbird]

I do west ridge at least 2 times in every snow session, it's my favourite place for snow hiking. General speaking snow shoes are not necessary but crampon is, on your picture it's the last part of west trail, there are 2 or 3 step parts which are rocks covered by ice, require careful attention for every step with help of a ice axe. The last slope normally covered by deep snow and a crampon would be very helpful. Another thing is the weather, if forecast tells strong wind, the temperature could be well under -20 C

[hobbitle]

We walked the West Ridge this weekend just gone with heavy packs (and a snowboard or two!). We didn't actually don crampons for the last part but definitely could have.

An ice axe was necessary and I would recommend crampons as it was getting icy in places, especially with rocks just underneath the surface.

Snow shoes wouldn't be that helpful.


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[north-north-west]

I've done West Ridge in winter without axe or crampons and it was a bit hairy. Fun, but you do need to be careful. If you have crampons, take them.
Four Mile could be awkward due to the river crossing.

[walkon]

I've done West Ridge in winter without axe or crampons and it was a bit hairy. Fun, but you do need to be careful. If you have crampons, take them.
Four Mile could be awkward due to the river crossing.

Nnw were you a novice at the time like the op, remember someone with no experience is going to heed your words

[icefest]

I've done West Ridge in winter without axe or crampons and it was a bit hairy. Fun, but you do need to be careful. If you have crampons, take them.
Four Mile could be awkward due to the river crossing.

Nnw were you a novice at the time like the op, remember someone with no experience is going to heed your words

TBH a novice would do well not to use ice axe and crampons if they have never used them before, if alone and on that route.

They're more likely to hurt themselves self-arresting or breaking multiple legs if the spikes of the crampons catch as they slip.


For a novice:
Take snowshoes and hiking poles.
Try to walk up the ridge and plan on bailing out by going back down.
If you feel unsafe go back the way you came.

Descending first is bad as you cannot see the terrain before you and it may be impossible to climb back up.

Don't use ice axe and crampons if you've not been taught how to use them.

[walkon]

I've done West Ridge in winter without axe or crampons and it was a bit hairy. Fun, but you do need to be careful. If you have crampons, take them.
Four Mile could be awkward due to the river crossing.

Nnw were you a novice at the time like the op, remember someone with no experience is going to heed your words

TBH a novice would do well not to use ice axe and crampons if they have never used them before, if alone and on that route.

They're more likely to hurt themselves self-arresting or breaking multiple legs if the spikes of the crampons catch as they slip.


For a novice:
Take snowshoes and hiking poles.
Try to walk up the ridge and plan on bailing out by going back down.
If you feel unsafe go back the way you came.

Descending first is bad as you cannot see the terrain before you and it may be impossible to climb back up.

Don't use ice axe and crampons if you've not been taught how to use them.

I'd prefer to stumble in step terrain in a pair of crampons than snow shoes anyday
Snowshoes on very steep terrain aren't safe no matter what type especially going downhill. By the time they don't feel safe you generally can't go back downhill in them. Bill McKenzie nearly skated off buller in snowshoes and he is very experienced.
Does depend on the conditions but a nube won't know the difference.

[north-north-west]

I've done West Ridge in winter without axe or crampons and it was a bit hairy. Fun, but you do need to be careful. If you have crampons, take them.
Four Mile could be awkward due to the river crossing.

Nnw were you a novice at the time like the op, remember someone with no experience is going to heed your words

Not exactly a novice, but not a huge amount of experience on snow.

Good point, though. I missed that last bit when he said he hadn't done any winter walking.

[jdeks]

Dear god, some of the 'advice' in this thread is making me wince.

JudeLNS, I've sent you a PM about gear loan. Hell, twist my arm and I might even come with you.

[Messidor]

Ghee you sure that you are prepared, you might want to have a go elsewhere first or have someone lead you who has experience.
Snow shoes are good in soft snow until it gets steep. Then they should come off, either one of those assents is steep near the end and I would say that taking crampons plus ice axe is a must. It all depends on the conditions, not just the weather at the time but the snow conditions as well. Both of these are highly changeable.

I will look into having someone experienced guide me who also has the appropriate gear.

[Messidor]

Try having a look at the hiking notes on the wiki ski site there's some good information on mt Buller in winter.

Sorry I can't seem to find the Buller wiki site. Link?

[Messidor]

Wondering if anyone here has done the 4 Mile Spur. Any details you guys can give me?

[north-north-west]

Wondering if anyone here has done the 4 Mile Spur. Any details you guys can give me?

If you do a thorough search, there should be a thread about it. Bloke did a report when he returned, but I'm not sure whether it was on the original thread or separately.

Seek, and ye shall find.

[north-north-west]

Oh what the hell, I'm feeling generous. Here's the trip report.

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=17615

[surly 17]

Sorry I should have posted the link to make things easier.

http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Hiking_notes

You have to scroll down to the mt Buller section.