Here it comes folks!

[raider]

Local news reported 10 cm at Falls with more expected tomorrow. I bet Moondog is getting toey.

[jjoz58]

Never seen snow in my life. Must make a trip on of these years.

I've seen it mostly on distant peaks which I have instantly avoided. Winter for me has always been the 2 - 3 weeks a year that you have to wear a jumper in Qld. I'm told I will get my first up close and personal experience on the AAWT this year in November. Mostly on the ground but maybe falling from the sky. Brrrrrrr I've had to throw on a jacket just thinking about it.

[puredingo]

I'm another who hasn't been in real snow which is sort of strange considering it's only a 3.5 hour drive from home. It did snow up in Robertson once so we drove up to play in the oddity but it was mainly scrounging slush from the side of the road...

[markg]

I am really looking forward to it. A couple of us are going to try snow camping for the first time, friends have done a bit of it, but we are newbs. We won't be venturing far away from a good exit point for the initial few trips though. We have been giving the shops a flogging getting stuff, but a lot of things are so expensive I would need a second job. Been looking at the list of things others have put up hereabouts and pretty much have it covered, not all of it mind you but definitely the essentials. Going to splurge and get one of those exped down mats. Shoes are something we are not too sure about though. Would we need waterproof boots as such? How does one keep the socks dry? We thought about hiring some snow shoes , but to be honest I don't want to wander that far as yet. Are they a must have ? The stuff we already have is starting to get a bit weighty.

[icefest]

Re boots (and snowshoes):
Where will you be staying & how far will you be walking?

Socks usually get wet in Australia. Our snow is wet and the weather is humid. Dry them out or wear them wet.

IMHO winter tents are the most expensive part of the kit.

[markg]

We will be staying in a tent, thought of going Guthega, little twynnum, not real sure as yet. Just somewhere nice . Want to get away from the crowds if possible without going huge distances, plus this is our first time. Any suggestions?? About anything actually. This hopefully will give us a heads up on setting up our camp, have we got our clothing sorted , and other things.

[Moondog55]

Damned right I'm getting toey.
I was at Pretty Valley night before last, Monday 5th; very wet and very windy and quite miserable. Time for me to retire the canvas swag I think and get a decent touring tent.
Looks like Parks have cleaned up the hut, removed all the emergency gear and the dozen or so books I left on my last visit, and the saw, axe and block splitter also gone. I left my own block splitter and the new kindling splitter I had purchased specifically for the hut as all the firewood at the hut was in large blocks.

[walkerchris77]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

[Moondog55]

@ markg
Winter in the snow is not usually a lightweight pack. You need good boots but you can getaway with lighter ones with planning and plenty of plastic bread bags. My advice tho is the get good full leather boots and full gaiters ( I would suggest Supergaiters but Berghaus have stopped making except for the military) and a decent sock combination.
Distance is relative; even a kilometer in snow can become a long way and much less crowded; especially if post-holing.
The comment on a winter tent is a good one, it would be the major expense and a large percentage of the weight, but everything is going to need to be a bit stronger for winter and a bit warmer so the weight has to go up.
Make sure you have your escape plans ready if things go belly up too.

[GPSGuided]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

Ummm... Some attitude!

[Giddy_up]

Damned right I'm getting toey.
I was at Pretty Valley night before last, Monday 5th; very wet and very windy and quite miserable. Time for me to retire the canvas swag I think and get a decent touring tent.
Looks like Parks have cleaned up the hut, removed all the emergency gear and the dozen or so books I left on my last visit, and the saw, axe and block splitter also gone. I left my own block splitter and the new kindling splitter I had purchased specifically for the hut as all the firewood at the hut was in large blocks.

Perhaps a quick email to the Ranger might be in order here MD, just to explain the need for that equipment to be present. If they deem it not important or inappropriate they should return that equipment to you.

[whitefang]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

Ummm... Some attitude!

I second that GPSGuided...

[puredingo]

I see Chris' point to a degree. Most of the rules laid down are for the irresponsible, inexperienced and the extremely selfish.

I tend to bushwalk within the guidlines but with added sensible discretion....Put your hand up if you've never strayed?

[whitefang]

Isn't it selfish to think that the rules should not apply to some? "Fire restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of visitors using the parks and reserves, and in the interests of protecting reserves, wilderness protection areas and neighboring properties" (DEWNR, 2013). Even if you are experienced mistakes can be made and problems can arise. It's not fair for some people to run the risk of destroying natural areas that many people enjoy.

[puredingo]

No. I think it's unfair that I should have to compromise my enjoyment of our bush because some absent minded people can't look after a fire properly. We could relate this topic back to the cairn kicking debate.


I've never had a fire get away on me and if there was a chance it wasn't safe to have one I simply would go without. But that should be my decision.

[Mark F]

I think the connection of the selfish attitudes expressed above is more to the 4wd and horseriding type debates rather than cairn destruction. Personally I don't want to see your ash and blackened stone rings so how to my "rights" fit with your "rights"?

[puredingo]

Basically Mark it's the same principle, people trying to decide what other people can and can't do in the bush.

Personally I've never constructed a fire ring in my life, as I said if the weather isn't suitable I don't bother with a fire and since I walk alone my ash is about the size of a paint tin lid. Now if you consider that ash circle (which would be unrecognisable in about 3 days) an intrusion on your rights, well, you are one hard to please bushwalker.

[north-north-west]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

Regardless of whether there are seasonal bans in effect? Regardless of the weather conditions? R$3egardless of the reason for the ban?
In that case, please stay away from Tassie.

[icefest]

If there's not a huge bushfire risk and there is plenty of firewood and you make the site unrecognisable afterwards I don't really mind if you light a fire. 

Otherwise:
If there is a large bushfire risk (windy, hot and extremely dry) then you are literally playing with fire. IMHO this counts as arson and should be prosecuted as such.
If there is not plenty of firewood then you are wilfully damaging the environment. Not illegal but disrespectful to those following you.
If there is any sign of the fire when you leave then you are actively littering. An old firescar should be less recognisable than when you arrived. 

This is a summary as to whether it is arson or not:
http://www.aic.gov.au/crime_types/property%20crime/arson/arson%20legislation/indictable.html

[puredingo]

Oh the irony!!! Since posting this bit singing the joys of winter walking I haven't had a chance to get out once. Bound by the repressive regime of kids sport my fitness levels are at an all time low but with finals on now and a mere 2 weeks till I regain my freedom my enthusiasm is at an all time high....I'm back BABY!!!!

[walkerchris77]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

Ummm... Some attitude!

I second that GPSGuided...

Lol yeah I dont put up with any *&%$#!. He he he.

[walkerchris77]

I get a fire going where ever I go. They can stick the rules up their butts. I pay tax, I pay parks and garden fees and dont carry any id out bush so mr ranger wouldn't know who I am any way. Ive been in the cfa and ses for 9 years and make sure any fire is out and buried. Next they will want to charge us per foot step left in the mud.
Enjoy our free country everyone.

Regardless of whether there are seasonal bans in effect? Regardless of the weather conditions? R$3egardless of the reason for the ban?
In that case, please stay away from Tassie.

Mmmm not sure of where my statement said 'regardless of whether there........ etc.
Maybe I should get my eyes checked. Lol

[icefest]

Mmmm not sure of where my statement said 'regardless of whether there........ etc.
Maybe I should get my eyes checked. Lol

Don't walk in tassie and I hope you don't inadvertently cause injury or death to another. Please.

[walkerchris77]

Mmmmmm. Ill try again. It was not me that said 'regardless of whether there etc. It was nort north. Not me. All I said was I get a fire going if im camping.... OBVIOUSLY im not going to get a fire going in summer if surrounded by forest on a code red day, or if fire restrictions are in place. Im not stupid and im still a current level 2 qualified fire fighter. (Means I have compressed air ba, HA (hazmat) ,PE (full encapsulated gas suit, splash suit) , code 1 in the 3.4c tanker, lpg reponse and car. Also structure with with wild fire and more stuff so I think im pretty switched on out bush when it comes to fire safety and behavior.

[GPSGuided]

No worries Chris. Winter is finishing and this thread is about to close.

Had a walk in Berowra Valley NP yesterday and it was just wonderful. Spring is definitely in the air...

[icefest]

Sorry about the misunderstanding Chris.

[walkerchris77]

Thats cool . I apologize for coming across grumpy sometimes. I dont mean to. Its like text messages sometimes the reader reads it differently to what the writer wanted it to sound like. Thanks.. all good

[Moondog55]

Spring is here
Winter is almost over on the High Plains and I'll be going back for the last few days of the ski season and to pack up my gear and do the usual clean-up of PV hut

[walkerchris77]

Spring is here
Winter is almost over on the High Plains and I'll be going back for the last few days of the ski season and to pack up my gear and do the usual clean-up of PV hut

Horray. !
hows this weather md. Enjoy it while lasts.

[MacMan]

Hopefully there will still be some white stuff at Feathertop this weekend. I would hate to have lugged crampons and an axe up for nothing!