Cradle Mountain Snow Reports

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

South to north would have been walking towards deeper snow up on the plateau.

I'm sure if he was quite experienced as the article suggests, he would have considered a retreat back down to Cynthia Bay where the track would have had less snow.

[Strider]

South to north would have been walking towards deeper snow up on the plateau.

I'm sure if he was quite experienced as the article suggests, he would have considered a retreat back down to Cynthia Bay where the track would have had less snow.

Have you considered that the snow may have built up over the time he was there? Even overnight while he was asleep?

Less snow on the southern end of the track this week would have still been 1 metre plus.

[Overlandman]

Good snowfalls overnight at Cradle, still snowing up on the plateau.
Web cam at Dove Lake is frozen. The road is closed to all vehicles
Belvour is open to 4x4 only.
& at 2 pm the web cam is still frozen, no one to wipe the lens.
Stay warm
Overlandman

[Aztec]

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Well, the snow's fallen off the lens now...
Looks a bit brisk...

[Aztec]

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and 45 minutes later...

[Aztec]

aannnd, this morning

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Be nice to be able to get up there!!!

[gingerwalker]

A group of us are heading down to Cradle in a fortnight for our first OT hike. As soft Queenslanders, this is a pretty intimidating scene! Is the track still walkable in these sorts of conditions? Thanks

[north-north-west]

Yes, but. You have to be suitably equipped and prepared for lay days in case it blows up again.

Personally i wouldn't hit the track when it's like that without snowshoes.

[Lophophaps]

Yes, but. You have to be suitably equipped and prepared for lay days in case it blows up again.

Personally i wouldn't hit the track when it's like that without snowshoes.

And maybe any time in winter. As shown in the last few weeks, the snow can get very deep very quickly. Food for lay days is an excellent idea. You should have a contact with written trip details who is aware that if you are late and the weather is brilliant then it might be time to raise an alarm. If the weather is rubbish then you expect to be delayed. A PLB will assist.

[corvus]

A group of us are heading down to Cradle in a fortnight for our first OT hike. As soft Queenslanders, this is a pretty intimidating scene! Is the track still walkable in these sorts of conditions? Thanks

Are you doing it privately or with a Guided group ?

[gingerwalker]

Thanks for the tips everyone We'll definitely be carrying a PLB and extra food. A GPS as well, in case the track isn't very clear. Will also look into getting some snowshoes I think!

Corvus - we're going privately.

[Nuts]

I'd suggest, especially if we have more snow before then, that snowshoes will be a must. The track is well marked and if you can't see poles/markers a GPS may help generally but won't speed things up a lot trying to stay on the (micro) route and not wallowing through the scrub , creeks, drains etc.. Turning around that first day should be kept an easy choice to make.

[corvus]

I'd suggest, especially if we have more snow before then, that snowshoes will be a must. The track is well marked and if you can't see poles/markers a GPS may help generally but won't speed things up a lot trying to stay on the (micro) route and not wallowing through the scrub , creeks, drains etc.. Turning around that first day should be kept an easy choice to make.

+1

[gingerwalker]

haha try and tell that to my gung-ho boyfriend!

[aloftas]

Postby gingerwalker » Thu 20 Aug, 2015 9:56 am

haha try and tell that to my gung-ho boyfriend!



dont want to stick my head up out of the trench...

but

if you dont want to be prepared...

dont go.

[kitty]

Today

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[north-north-west]

Yippeeee! The road is finally open!

[whynotwalk]

There's still plenty of snow on the plateau around Cradle. We had an amazing day walking and snow-shoeing between Crater and Cradle yesterday (Monday). Today was just as good as we were leaving, and it might hold for one more day.

A good base of snow, in places over 1m deep, with a fresh dusting and a hard frost. We were lucky, as this trip was planned way ahead,

cheers

Peter





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[oyster_07]

Looks good!
I am heading to Cradle around 10 September. Do you suspect snow shoes will be needed?

[whynotwalk]

Ask again around September 8 Honestly, you really can't guess even a week ahead. The snow base is good, but a few days of rain and relative warmth could wash most of it away.

The only thing I can say with any certainty is that after nearly 40 years of visiting this place, I NEVER leave disappointed. Just head beyond the obvious, easy-to-reach spots (eg Dove Lake), be prepared to exercise your legs and lungs, and take gear that will deal with any weather, and you'll have a memorable experience.

Check the 7 day forecast before you leave - or check in here - and pack snow-shoes if it's looking at all favourable.

cheers

Peter

[oyster_07]

They were pretty much the exact words I said to my partner....

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Still looked to be plenty of snow today from the air. From a distance it still looked very white on Cradle Cirque, not just the summits.

[north-north-west]

Assuming the current weather is state-wide, there will be a LOT of snow up there. A few clear days and it was starting to thin out at Lake St Clair, but then it started again on Friday. There are 2 metre + drifts in places on Rufus and Hugel. Absolutely brilliant.

[Overlandman]

A cold southerly blast overnight has seen snow settling on Cradle Mountain & the Central Plateau
Regards Overlandman

[Nuts]

I can't find the topic, nor be too bothered. There is still a lot of snow up high with cool to cold nights, 10cm odd added on Monday night. Hordes of campers, families, various youth groups, reminder of the 'good' old mayhem.

Heres a (rough) idea for Ossa, by and large still a no-go unless discussing techniques more appropriate outside a BW forum:

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[Nuts]

For everyone other than mountaineers :

Windermere AM

who needs a hut, the experience just gets wilder outside!

[Strider]

Thanks very much Nuts. I leave from Lake St Clair in the morning.

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[Nuts]

Have fun, ice cleats would have been handy, especially on Pineforest Moor, some rain though I'd expect you'll find similar conditions. Take something more than an iphone, the Sassafras is flowering (if you're into flora) check out all the baby mountain grasshoppers at Ducane Hut basking in the sun (if possible) Mosquitoes shouldn't be a problem , the possums look Very happy and rotund!

[Strider]

Is the iPhone is relation to navigation or comms? I have a PLB and an Etrex 20.

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[Nuts]

haha, neither, in relation to Photography ^... I hardly think you'll get lost!