Date / Region: 17/07/2020 VicNorthEast
Advisory Confidence: STRONG
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:
Yesterday we had something of an ice storm, a freezing rain event that caused a few incidents on the roads. The cause being an atypical cold wet flow from the SE that has persisted this week until today. Overnight temps firmed up the rain crust. Breakable at lower elevations and on solar aspects as the day warms. Pretty much concrete everywhere else and for those that find a glimpse of soft snow watch out as it ‘sets up again’ later. Very limited opportunities for turns. Feels like more of a ‘stretch the legs’ and head out for some classic old style pattern base XC touring on gentle slopes on some planks you don’t care about. Visibility is good so it is very scenic at least. Melbourne people, you aren’t missing out on much. SM
Alpine Hazard Alert
We need your eyes too. If you’ve been touring in the Alpine National Park we’d love to know what you have seen. Every little bit helps.
Observations Summary
Snow Surface Conditions Summary
20cm of very hard ice covered snow. Bushes and rocks poking through or ‘slump’ concealed creating a very textured and variable surface. Crust thickness variable up to 5cm. Breakable and thinner on solar aspects.
Windward aspects: SE - S
Alpine depth: 22cm
Snow condition: Hard pack / boilerplate.
Sub-Alpine depth: 20cm
Snow condition: Hard pack / boilerplate.
Leeward aspects: N - W - NW
Alpine depth: 25cm
Snow condition: Packed pow, high density.
Sub-Alpine depth: 15cm
Snow condition: Hard pack softening.