Date / Region: 09/07/2020 NSWMainRange
Advisory Confidence: MODERATE
Alpine Conditions
Sub-Alpine Conditions
Mountain environments can be categorised as above or below the tree line, thus Alpine and Subalpine respectively. Find out more about how these types of terrain can create or mitigate backcountry hazards here.
Travel & Terrain advice:
Very little snow below 1700m making travel difficult. In the alpine, there is enough cover to travel on skins, although there are still obstacles. Lee slopes have some good riding, with report of nice snow on west, south and east aspects. However there are patches of ice. Ridges are shallow and icy.
We are always keen to know what you found out there on your tour. Share your field observations in the Main Range NSW.
Observations Summary 8th July
Snow Surface Conditions Summary
Shallow and icy on ridgetops. Variable conditions on all aspects. Rideable quality snow reported on some east, west and south aspects. North aspects becoming soft and gluggy and balling up on skins and crampons. Melt freeze crusts range from 1 to 2 mm to up to 20 mm in areas. These crusts are breakable and provide some difficult riding conditions.
Rocks, bushes and fallen timber exposed below treeline.
Weather Summary
A high pressure system over the western Tasman Sea will drift east during the next few days, maintaining a ridge into New South Wales. A broad trough and associated low pressure system is expected to enter the state's west on Friday, continuing through to the coast during the weekend, bringing a period of unsettled weather. Light to moderate winds expected on Thursday, partly cloudy, max 3 in the alpine and 5 in the valleys.