Barrington Tops - Early July 12 Trip Report.

[forest]

Barrington Tops July 2012

Just back from 2 nights up on the tops.

Crappy weather from when I arrived at Pole Blue at 3pm Sunday with temps around and just below 0°C. You know, windy, sleet, a little snow, foggy/misty.... Generally cold.
Plan was to camp the night there in the tent then walk out the following morning and return the next day.
It was a great chance to test some minimal gear as I was next to the car with all my bomber stuff if the light stuff died on me.

I can report that I was fine all night. It snowed a little around 10:30pm but I'd say it only laid about 1cm on the ground. I woke up just as it started for a loo break and snapped a few pictures. By morning most of it had melted to icy sludge.
The short neoair was fine for -1°C using just a baselayer and my new hammock gear M50/7d TQ rated at approx. 30°F (10.5oz 900 fill)
I added a 1/4 ccf torso pad around 4am and was extra warm then just too see what difference it made ontop of the neoair.

Everything was a lovely white in the morning so I quickly threw the frozen tent in the car and stuffed my hammock gear etc into the pack and trudged off into the cold for the day/night.
Walked across to Junction Pools, Mt Barrington (Called wife to report in) then the plan was to walk back to Junction Pools but I was running early so I continued back to Little Murray. I didn't have my GPS but going off the signs I covered about 30km's.
Had a good day playing with layers etc to see what works in the cold wind. It tried to sleet/snow all day but just didn't quite get there. The temps hovered around -1°C to 1°C all day. Basically I just had a light RAB 120 merino/poly LS shirt on, Nylon shorts and runners with merino socks. Oh and I need a headband for my ears in the cold wind as I end up with a headache if I don't. I ended up walking with my rain mitts on as I had cold hands and on the windy parts donned my event jacket to buff the wind.
Honestly I thought I would have needed more clothes than that but I was walking fast and generating plenty of heat. If I wore more clothes which I tried I just ended up sweaty and cold if I stopped.

Spotted a few brumbies on the track and even though it was *&%$#! freezing (literally) and misty most of the day it was actually quite pleasant looking into the bush all hazy looking and white.
The trees rained ice all day and every now and then a chunk would fall between my pack and shirt. Brrrrr that felt cold.
I'd find the odd branch that had broken off on the track, Looked like a bag of ice had been thrown down and then a nice green branch on top. The trees certainly were holding some ice on them in the cold wind.

Interestingly I wasn't the only one camped at Little Murray, there was a guy and his son camped out in the open mountain biking around.
I ended up tucked up in the timber a little away from the campsite as it was very exposed and blowing a gale. Plus I liked the trees better for my hammock here !!

I boiled up some water for dinner and drinks, Filled up the platy's with hot water and threw them into the hammock. Man I love this hot water bottle thing, It's so warm and you don't end up with frozen water bottles in the morning.

Overnight things cleared up and as usual with clear skies the temp dropped a little more to -4°C but that wasn't too bad.
I slept with my 20°F 3 season 3/4 UQ but used my lighter 30°F M50/7D TQ as a trial. I was warm all night and it just goes to show that the bottom insulation is more important in the cold when hammocking.
The clothing I wore around camp was enough for me with my rain gear ontop and i was nice and warm. Again I just slept in baselayers but it's nice to know I could have added my down vest and pants to get more out of my sleeping gear.
Hammock Gear blue 0.51oz 4 season cuben tarp was great.

The mountain bikers were stuck waiting for more sun and water to boil in the morning..... All the bikes were completely frozen solid, Gears, Brakes, Shocks, Cables etc. Nope nothing wasn't locked solid as the bikes were covered in frozen mud from the day before.

After packing up it was just a short 7km walk back to the car then the 2.5hr drive home.... yep it was sunny and warm by this stage..... as usual !!

If anyone is interested, Gear list below.

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=8287

[forest]

More pic's

[forest]

Only 2 more

[ofuros]

Brrrr....I can feel the cold biting breeze from here......loved the report, forest.

don't worry about the leeches, just think of them as baby love bites !....via tapatalk.

[Bluegum Mic]

Looks awesome. How do you find your new hammock gear CF tarp? Looks like a great trip all round with my kinda weather.

[FatCanyoner]

Wow, the light dusting of snow looked great. I really need to get to Barrington, especially in winter. It might be cold sitting around, but you're right about how quickly you warm up on the move -- although you'd warm up more if you carried a bit more weight in your pack! ;-P

[forest]

don't worry about the leeches, just think of them as baby love bites !....

Um, no leeches this time of year. It's a bit nippy for them. Go up there in the warmer months. Yep everywhere !!

How do you find your new hammock gear CF tarp?

Very nice but the lighter cuben sure feels like you have to baby the thing. Love the blue.

although you'd warm up more if you carried a bit more weight in your pack! ;-P

Ah but then I'd walk slower LOL. I did a trip nearly the same dates last year up there (4 days though) and there was a lot more snow. Interestingly I was at 8.5kgs baseweight and carried half what the other boys did.... and was the warmest. Never though I'd be able to nearly halve my packweight again from last year to 4.5kgs.
Not cheap though

[ofuros]

don't worry about the leeches, just think of them as baby love bites !....via tapatalk.

Sorry to confuse,forest....that's just my tapatalk signature.
Great walking weather though....nice & cool.

don't worry about the leeches, just think of them as baby love bites !....via tapatalk.

[Dale]

Nice write up and pics Forest. You've inspired me to go the alcohol stove route. Oh no more gear !

[Rob A]

..... "to Junction Pools, Mt Barrington (Called wife to report in) then " .....

Thats interesting. Which areas do you get reception?

[forest]

Thats interesting. Which areas do you get reception?

I have a new Telstra mobile, in the past I have been with Optus and get nothing up there, Even from Carey's peak where you can see the whole of Newcastle and Maitland spread out under you ?? Telstra is obviously a lot better rural

I only turned the phone on at Mt Barrington and had 4 bars which I was very suprised with. Nothing at Pole Blue but I can get a few bars at Honeysuckle Picnic area (Tomalla turn off) on the way up from Gloucester side.

....

You've inspired me to go the alcohol stove route. Oh no more gear !

Yeh it worked well but alcohol doesn't light well when it's freezing or you stove is frozen......
Stick the fuel bottle in your pocket with the stove and lighter for a few minutes and it fires up first go.


The caldera cone is very effiecent and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to people. 500ml near frozen water and 20ml of fuel and it has a little fuel to spare after boil.

[Rob A]

I usually go in via lagoon pinch on the southern side, and have never managed reception anywhere up there. Pretty sure I took telstra sim, and have tried at Mt Barrington, Careys peak lookout and any open view in between. Could be the newer phone or something. Will make a point of giving it a go next time up there.