Mountain Safety Collective Backcountry Conditions Report – Friday June 23

June 23rd, 2023
Late afternoon light on Mt Kosi on Wednesday. The snow cover is looking good in the backcountry after snowalls on Sunday and Monday dropped 30+cms. Photo: Perisher Snow Cams

Mountainwatch | Mountain Safety Collective

After a slower start to the season than we’ve had in recent La Niña-influenced years, a series of cold fronts laid down just enough base up high to start backcountry touring over the past week or so.

Cover has been variable in the alpine, with patches of skiable snow interspersed with rime ice, sastrugi (wind eroded snow) and barely covered bushes. Last Monday’s storm created smaller wind slab hazards, with reports of small natural avalanches on steeper wind-loaded slopes on Tuesday.

The new snow did a good job of filling in more terrain and there was surprisingly nice skiing and riding on wind-blown aspects below the treeline around 1800m over the past few days. Many hazards still exist below the treeline, with partially buried logs, unsupportive bushes and open creeks all present.

A new front arrived on Thursday night that’s forecast to accumulate up to 50cm of snow over the next few days that will help fill more terrain in.

Mount Perisher this morning. Expect poor visibility, strong winds and white out conditions this weekend. Photo: Perisher Sbow Cams

This storm will bring poor visibility today and stormy weather, so be prepared for whiteout navigation with very strong winds forecast to remain until mid-next week. It’s likely that the moister new snow is bonding well to the previous bed surface, but be aware that isolated wind slabs may exist in the alpine. Watch for unstable snow on lee slopes and gullies and buried hazards below the treeline.

This is not the best weekend to be trying out your new alpine tent for a snow camping mission, but there could be some opportunities for turns in the upper treeline on slopes out of the wind. Pay close attention to any weather warnings before making firm plans and always fill out your trip intention forms for NSW or VIC.

If you’re keen for some pre-season backcountry training, Mountain Safety Collective have set up Avalanche Training Centres back at Hothamand a new one at Thredbofor 2023. The ATCs provide a controlled environment in which to practise avalanche transceiver (beacon) searches and are a great way to either dust off your skills or learn new skills with friends or instructors.

For more information on staying safe in the backcountry, visit Mountain Safety Collective.