Mountain Safety Collective Backcountry Conditions Report – Friday September 2
Mountainwatch | Mountain Safety Collective
Spring is well and truly here, with temperatures fluctuating between cold nights and warmer days. Mornings will often see icy surface conditions that soften throughout the day, so keeping your ski crampons in your backpack is a must at this time of year.
At the other end of the spectrum, temperatures are getting very hot in the backcountry after midday, so be prepared to ditch layers and stay protected from the sun.
Friday sees the chance of flurries or light showers through the day and visibility may be compromised due to low cloud levels in parts of the range. Relatively stable weather is expected throughout the weekend if you’re venturing deeper into the mountains.
NSW Main Range (Thredbo, Perisher, Guthega, Charlottes Pass, Ramshead Range, Western Faces) – Friday Report
A mixed bag out there today. The forecast isn’t looking great in terms of visibility, particularly in the alpine. Be prepared for whiteout navigation.
Surface conditions will also be variable. On south facing aspects, surface conditions have been icy since the rain earlier in the week. With the sun shining through in the past couple of days, solar aspects have softened and made for nice turns. However, today, with a forecast of decreasing temperatures, these icy conditions may persist on all aspects. Crampons are recommended for safe travel on steep icy slopes.
As we continue to move into spring, timing becomes very important. Plan your tours accordingly to ride slopes when soft enough for enjoyable turns, but not too soft at which point they can become ‘punchy’ and unsafe. Too early, the risk of an uncontrolled slide in steep icy terrain is high. Too late and the snowpack deteriorates to a point of increased chance of avalanche activity.
VIC Dividing Range (Hotham, Falls Creek, Bogong, Fainters, Feathertop) – Friday Report
The surface had another refreeze overnight creating widespread ice this morning. Surface rime/cauliflower rime cover ridgetops and most of the alpine. Southerly aspects are likely to stay firm all day. Ski/board crampons are needed for safe travel. Carry an Ice axe and or whippet for self-arrest in the alpine and on slide for life paths. Planning your route will help reduce exposure on steep icy slopes. Northerly aspects should soften and turn to corn with the UV input and warm temps. Possible poor visibility this morning and in the afternoon.
There is plenty of snow up high but the snowpack on lower elevations is getting thin, use caution around open creek holes. Avoid unsupportive Cornices, with continued warming they could collapse.
Several glide cracks have been reported all across the dividing range. Predicting a glide slab avalanche is almost impossible, and avoidance is the only way to mitigate this hazard. Avoid being on slopes below glide cracks.
Stay safe and enjoy the first day of the backcountry fest! Read the full report »
VIC Front Range (Buller, Buffalo, Stirling, Baw Baw) – Friday Report
Possible poor visibility in the alpine this morning with the chance snow showers. Be prepared for whiteout navigation if your tour plans go into the alpine.
The surface had another refreeze overnight creating widespread ice in the alpine and subalpine. Southerly aspects are likely to stay firm all day. Ski/board crampons are needed for safe travel in steep terrain. Carry an Ice axe and/or whippet for self-arrest in the alpine in consequential terrain. Read the full report »
For more information on staying safe in the backcountry, visit Mountain Safety Collective.
