Mt St Gwinear- Mt St Phillack

[Xalion]

I'm planning my first snow outing for later in the month, and was curious if anyone could see any problems/suggest any improvements to my plan. I have a fair bit of "outdoor experience" camping and fishing, but next to none hiking and I've never been near snow. First times and all..

I'm based in Melbourne, so I'm planning on driving across to Mt St Gwinear on a Saturday morning, weather permitting, and parking in the carpark there (I believe chains are required for the car, so I'll have those). I then plan on snow shoeing/hiking to the summit of Mt St Gwinear, and finding a campsite near there for the evening. The next morning, I'll head over to Mt St Phillack (or back to the carpark, depending on how day one goes...) and return via the same path to the carpark.

Could anyone recommend a good map for the region? I'm considering the VICmaps 1:25000, but would love to hear any suggestions.

Thanks.

[neilmny]

Grab the Baw Baw National Park note from Parks Vic
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets ... winear.pdf
You might have trouble getting the 1:25K Baw Baw map I believe it is no longer in print but you can get the 1:50K Walhalla map.

Here's another trail map http://skimap.org/data/1166/326/1362795027.pdf

[Xalion]

Thanks for that. I've had a look at both of those links when I was deciding where to go, but I'll definitely have a look for the Walhalla map

[Lophophaps]

Xalion, your plan seems quite good. The distances are not great and getting back in bad weather should not be too hard. Are you on skis or on snow shoes? The descents on St Gwinear and elsewhere can be nasty. Watch out for bumblies coming downhill towards you. In places there is limited room to steer. If you see a hat on the ground, check to see if a bumbly is underneath it.

There are flat campsites on the SE of St Gwinear. In the bowl to the SW of St Gwinear there are numerous sheltered places. Just be sure that the creek you use is clean - no people above you. The saddle NW of St Phillack has good camping, but may be a little far for your first trip.

It's important to camp above the valley floor. Cold air sinks, which is why there are no trees: cold air kills them. Camp away from trees. Snow clumps fall down go crash. If possible, find a spot that faces north and east, to catch the morning sun. This will mean camping on the south side of a clearing.

[neilmny]

May I enquire as to what a bumbly is?

[Travis22]

Lol ^ I thought the exact same thing Neil.

Google confirmed it's some sort ok skiing term but I couldn't locate a firm explanation for it.

Travis.

[neilmny]

Hey Travis, I've been skiing for 25 years and have never heard it.
I guess it has something to do with a beginner but we should
remember we were all once beginners.

[Moondog55]

I thought it was a shorthand for "Bumblefooted" either that or a wild horse on skis

[Xalion]

To be honest, I also have no idea what a Bumbly is, but I'll be sure to give he/she/it a wide berth...

Thanks for all the helpful advise re. campsite, I'll look in those places for somewhere to pitch the tent. I'll be on snowshoes, assuming there's enough snow (which I hope there is).

[Lophophaps]

Bumbly, one that bumbles. See http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumble

A beginner. Like the one I was with that was certain that he needed about 35 kilogram for a three day summer walk. (He lasted two hours, and returned to the cars and realised that he had forgotten the keys.) Like the pair that carried a spare tent. (They needed it - their tent burn down.) The person that bought the wrong fuel for the stove. The novice navigator that offset his compass for magnetic north - on the wrong side of zero degrees. The people that had the map aligned perfectly until I spotted a teensy mistake: the map was upside down. The skier that washed his undies on day one and woke up to find them in front of the fire, no drips, just sheet ice. His only pair of undies. Cool running.

These are bumblies.

[Xalion]

Ahh, well I will endeavour not to bumble too much A quick question if anyone knows, I keep seeing vague references to "Skiers only" permitted on certain trails at Mt St Gwinear. Does this include the main trail from the car park to the summit, and then across to the AAWT and up to Mt St Phillack? Or is there an alternate track for those on snow shoes?

[Lophophaps]

Ahh, well I will endeavour not to bumble too much A quick question if anyone knows, I keep seeing vague references to "Skiers only" permitted on certain trails at Mt St Gwinear. Does this include the main trail from the car park to the summit, and then across to the AAWT and up to Mt St Phillack? Or is there an alternate track for those on snow shoes?

From the car park, the main trail to where Cascade Trail branches is wide, and continues, if slightly less wide in places, to the summit of St Gwinear. The descent on the far side is quite open and exposed. Cascade Trail is narrow in places, and a tad steep. This is where bumbly skiers lose control, as it is too narrow to snow plough. Regardless of any posted restrictions, on snow shoes I'd suggest going over St Gwinear. There's heaps of room for skiers to go around a person on snow shoes; just keep to one side. The summit rail over St Phillack is also narrow; I'd go on the Saints Trail.

The car park has a good shelter. When parking, make sure that you back in, and leave the handbrake off; they freeze. Note also that Parks Victoria requires that visitors remove their own dead. Burying is not viable in winter.

[Xalion]

Note also that Parks Victoria requires that visitors remove their own dead. Burying is not viable in winter.

I shall keep this at the front of my mind

Thanks for all your help

[walkon]

I shot up to Mt St Gwinear on the weekend threw on the snow shoes and did what you are planning to do in a day, gwinears summit is only 4ks up the track I think. If you are unsure of your snow camping abilities, there are some great camping spots only about 2km from the car park, if it goes pear shaped then it's a short trip down a marked track to the car park. In the morning you can go back up and explore a different track. The snow was absolutely magic on the weekend with good coverage. There is looking to be a big dump of snow this week I so it should be even better next weekend. Will try to post pics later

[Travis22]

I look forward to your photos Walkon. I've been out the last 3 weekends the first two being up around St Gwinear and last weekend we were snow camping in the ANP.

The first weekend at St Gwinear saw loads and loads of snow, a weekend later 90% of it was gone. I look forward to seeing how it changed a week later again.

What snow shoes do you have, how did / do you find them?

Travis.

[walkon]

Hi travis
I have msr lightening flash snow shoes, got them off eBay for $160. I think these shoes would go anywhere, if I wanted to walk up the house walls I think that they would do it. I had absolutely no sliding in these and was very happy with the shoes grip, where you put them they stayed. The only draw back of these is with the serrations on the outside edge if you crossover, the shoes grip each other and you fall over if your not careful. The only time I did this I was texting, twice actually you'd think I'd learn, which in 12 hours of use over the weekend isn't bad. If you had people who are a bit clumsy footed the msr denali's would be better whilst offering superb grip they have a small flat edge which would side over the other easier, but they are heavier. If you wear the yowie shoes you have to walk funny whereas with these msr's it's fairly normal action.

I know someone who has the new model msr lightning flash 22inch for sale, $220 ono like new and there was a30inch pair on eBay for $250 that didn't sell.

Yeah I'd definitely buy another pair at this stage

[Xalion]

Would dearly love some MSR lightning ascents, but I've spent waaaaay too much already the last few weeks

[walkon]

Yeah I so know that feeling, Erica ski hire has snow shoes

[Xalion]

I've already booked some from Erica Ski Hire for the weekend, seemed like nice people to deal with over the phone.

[Travis22]

Are you heading out this weekend Xalion?

Thanks for the information Walkon.

Re: sizes, I have no understanding for recommended sizes, I'm a 42 boot and about 85kg would this work well with a 22" MSR?

Travis.

[north-north-west]

Are you heading out this weekend Xalion?

Thanks for the information Walkon.

Re: sizes, I have no understanding for recommended sizes, I'm a 42 boot and about 85kg would this work well with a 22" MSR?

Travis.

I'm no expert, but I think snowshoe sizing is based on height as much as anything. There was a sizing guide on the website where I bought my Lightning Ascents - Moontrail, probably.

[walkon]

Are you heading out this weekend Xalion?

Thanks for the information Walkon.

Re: sizes, I have no understanding for recommended sizes, I'm a 42 boot and about 85kg would this work well with a 22" MSR?

Travis.

I'm 105kg plus I had a 20kg pack ( 47-48 foot) and didn't sink down to much in fresh snow, you can buy extenders for them anyway. I was going to get the 30" shoes though was talked out of it. Was told don't go off the American sizing as we have wetter denser snow, for me walking in 25" shoes is alot more agile than 30" shoes. I'm getting the extensions for when I need them but not in a hurry to do that atm.

[icefest]

I have two 25" Lightnings and have never needed my tails. I've used them a couple of times, but found they put the floatation way too far to the back.

[walkon]

I have two 25" Lightnings and have never needed my tails. I've used them a couple of times, but found they put the floatation way too far to the back.

How heavy are you icefest

[icefest]

I weigh 75kg empty and have used them weighing up to 105kg (skin out weight).

[north-north-west]

I weigh 75kg empty . . .

With or without brains?

[icefest]

Without.

I also remove half my liver, and add an extra lung.

[north-north-west]

*sigh*
Wish I could add a couple of extra knees. And some muscle.

[icefest]

Oh, I've been wanting to ask this for a while NNW, do you speak German?

Not sure about the extra knees. I have enough problems with them getting tangled already.

Did you manage to go on the walk then, walkon?

[north-north-west]

Oh, I've been wanting to ask this for a while NNW, do you speak German?

I swear fluently. Otherwise, just a few words and phrases. (ditto with Russian, French, Italian. Bit more Polish.)