Mt Feathertop winter ascent

[LeftRightShoot]

yes, the info on the bus would have been great earlier up the thread!

bailed on feathertop and decided on Guthega and Main Range. Epic Fail. Came home with our tails between our legs.

It wasnt the wind or the (falling) snow or the ascent or the fact that we pushed our gear to the limit... It was the 60 odd cm of fresh snow that at times had us moving at a speed of 400m/hr. That was not fun. Up to out hips with snowshoes on.

We had several trip re-evaluations along the way. We were carrying ropes, harnesses, crampons and axes however there was no chance of us reaching the top of the range. Then after another progress meeting we realised we would not even make blue lake and back in the time we had so we decided to pack it all in and go mountain biking instead.

We did reflect on the fact that we were cursing the beautiful powder snow that is supposedly quite rare in Australia.

Next time Gadget, next time...

[ErichFromm]

You didn't consider one of the Western spurs of Feathertop, seeing that you were there?

This hike was supposed to be a bit of an "introduction" to hiking for my partner (and yes, in retrospect the Razorback covered in snow was perhaps not the wisest choice for an introduction). I've done the walk up the spurs a number of times but don't think she was quite up to it just yet (the first time I did it with a friend they became unresponsive for the last hour or so - ended up setting up camp on my own ). I'm sure there were more moderate hikes closer than Mt Bulla - but none that came to mind, and I hadn't brought any maps to search for alternatives.

"Next time Gadget, next time..."
The same thought that's been going through my mind every night since the weekend. The realisation that there is a bus up from Harrietville (which seems pretty obvious now I'm aware of it) opens up possibilities. Never thought I could do a full loop without two cars before. Many more possibilities now given I usually hike alone.....

[jimmyharris]

Nice trip reports/pictures, Jimmy (great use of light in yours and nice tent too!) and Wayne. Thanks!

Thanks Kinsayder. The Soulo was definitely overkill for where I camped down at Blair Hut but I'd originally been planning to head up on to the BHP to camp somewhere more exposed. The deep fresh snow killed me though and so I took the easy option.

[adsa]

Hi all,
Seem to be a great amount of experience here and I'm hoping to jump in on this thread to pick your collective brains.
My brother and I are planning to head up from Friday the 20/9 to Monday the 23/9 and where looking to do Feathertop and some sort of loop back over two to three nights.
I'd Like to know your thoughts on a recommended start/finish and the "must do's" we could fit in over that time. Was thinking about going on to Mt Bogong from Feathertop but not keen on a two car start/stop just for two of us
We are well fit and I have all the gear and (good four season tent/bag and mat included), done a fair amount of hiking including Tassie SE track and Harrietville - Feathertop - Razorback - Bon Accord circuit in summer.
Also wondering what your thoughts are on the weather around that time and if all the discussion around Ice Axes and Crampons, digging cars out of snow and the like is relevant at that time of year?

Hope I'm not pushing my luck here, have enjoined the discussion thus far. Look forward to your comments.

[Lophophaps]

Unless you park in a resort you will not have to dig out your car. It can still get cold in valleys - cold sinks - so even if parking low leave the car in gear and the handbrake off. I can't see that a loop is possible in the available time on foot. Snow can be quite slow to walk through, even with snow shoes, and it certainly requires more effort than in summer. See the jimmyharris post above, 31 July. Walking from Harrietville to Bogong in summer would be a decent four day trip in summer, and quite hard in winter.

The weather may be such that you simply cannot move safely, or at all, especially above the tree line. If you want to go up a major peak such as Feathertop and especially Bogong then an ice axe is prudent, as it will allow you to get up otherwise hazardous slopes. Crampons are needed if it gets icy and there is an impelling requirement to go over the ice, which could be very extensive and last for days. Instep crampons may be mandatory if you go to Bogong.

Your experience, fitness and gear seem adequate. As I see it there are two choices: Bogong or Feathertop. Both have the advantage of a relatively easy retreat. Note that Bogong is harder, and once (if!) you get to Cleve Cole Hut the ridge back to the summit and down is very exposed. Both routes have camping below the summit, but Federation Hut area is much closer to the top. If you have a 4WD you can go to Granite Flat on Bogong, gaining about 800 metre altitude and shortening the distance to the main ridge by about 3-4 kilometre. This parking spot may have snow, but should be clear.

Make sure that you fill in the log books and leave clear written intentions with a contact. A GPS and a phone are backups, not primary means of navigation and salvation.

[philg]

Hi all,

Going to do a bushwalk this weekend with my partner and am considering Feathertop. I was thinking up and down Bungalow spur and staying in either MUMC or Federation hut. Would probably skip the summit.

We are both fit and I've walked in the area few times before but only in summer. Just want to get a few pointers about seeing as I haven't been up this time of year and the weather report indicates some snow this week. I have a fair bit of gear and good sleeping bags, and can borrow what else I need through my club. I'm imaging I'd take snow shoes at the least. Any comments appreciated.

[Lophophaps]

Going to do a bushwalk this weekend with my partner and am considering Feathertop. I was thinking up and down Bungalow spur and staying in either MUMC or Federation hut. Would probably skip the summit.

We are both fit and I've walked in the area few times before but only in summer. Just want to get a few pointers about seeing as I haven't been up this time of year and the weather report indicates some snow this week. I have a fair bit of gear and good sleeping bags, and can borrow what else I need through my club. I'm imaging I'd take snow shoes at the least. Any comments appreciated.

It's a bit late to ask about a trip starting next weekend. The main things you need are a snow tent, good ground insulation, lots of fuel for melting snow, and a warm sleeping bag. You can't count on reaching either hut, and Federation in particular could be crowded. In bad weather getting to or from MUMC is extreme and exposed. I think I wrote about this above.

Snow shoes are useful but not critical. There's often a heap of people on the mountain, beating down a track. Of course if the masses are absent and there's a parcel of fresh snow you find progress slow. Allow three hours for about two kilometre. An ice axe each would be good.

In the right conditions - and that has been so for most of my trips, if a bit breezy - the summit should be possible on the Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. Just stay well back from the cornice, that is, keep to the left heading up and especially on the flat summit ridge. People have died.

If you start walking at the foot of the Bungalow Spur at 8 am you should be at or near Federation by noon. Set up camp, cup of tea, and then summit. Back by maybe 3 pm. Allow about 50-70% of your uphill time to return from Federation to the car.