Ossa snow conditions

[tigercat]

I will be crossing Pelion Gap Tuesday June 19 all being well. I am wondering if there is likely to be snow or ice that would make the ascent of Mt Ossa and/or Pelion East more than a bushwalk?

[stepbystep]

I will be crossing Pelion Gap Tuesday June 19 all being well. I am wondering if there is likely to be snow or ice that would make the ascent of Mt Ossa and/or Pelion East more than a bushwalk?

You've got an amazing forecast tiger. There's only the one point on the climb where possible ice might turn you back I reckon, but unlikely. It'll be well worth going that far for the views anyhow. It's fun to traverse Mt Doris en route back to Pelion Gap if you get turned back or have time. Gives unique views and is simple and scrub free.

[north-north-west]

I was up there about a week ago. There was still considerable snow on the open east and south facing sections of track, and it's been compressed and through a few semi-thaw/freeze cycles and is *&%$#! awkward going. The daytime temps have been maxing out at around 5c, and that's only for a shortish period. Microspikes will help on the duckboarding.
There's been more snow since, and you might find it a bit awkward on the climbs. Pelion East track is very icy this time of year. The new trackwork on Ossa will be better, but the climb will have some tricky bits.

[Nuts]

Ice Cleats, yes. Still on a 'bushwalking' level but falling over very quickly is a possibility, even on the approach tracks. It wont likely be too deep but.. without other steps to follow, stay away from the side of the big boulders in the Ossa ascent gully, the snow forms over some impressive caverns in their Lee.

[tigercat]

Thanks stepbystep, north-north-west and nuts.

[icefest]

How'd you go tc?