Snowshoeing the Main Range in September

[Henry OShea]

I'm looking to do the main range track at the end of September, possibly mid-October depending on conditions, and was wondering whether snowshoes or crampons are needed this time of year. Planning to take my time and spend two nights on the trail. Any other advice or information on walking the trail this time of year would be greatly appreciated.

[crollsurf]

If you have the luxury, pick a good weather window. Good weather will mean icy in the morning. There will be plenty of non-snow work arounds, but crossing icy slopes will be dangerous in the morning.

I'd go for micro spikes this year (lack of snow) as a backup and forget about the snowshoes.

Unless you're on a mission, navigate around the ice or chill out and wait until mid-morning for the snow to soften.

If the weather is in, I'd say don't go. Only local knowledge will tell you where the cornices are. In a white-out, you won't know until you're free falling down the face of the cornice. Even then, you should be right, but it will cause constanation amongst the group.

Don't let me put you off. Go for it, it'll be great. Just know your limitations regarding your gear choices.

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[Henry OShea]

Thanks for all of your advice, I'll continue to keep my eye on the weather and hold off until another high pressure system arrives in the next couple weeks.
Thanks again for your response.

[Lophophaps]

Crollsurf has good advice. I was skiing on the Etheridge Range in a whiteout when the bloke next to me vanished as the cornice collapsed. It was very scary - I could feel the edge with my ski stock but could not see it. He said that he was okay and that there was hardly any wind where he was. It took 15-20 minutes to get back to the party.

I'm unsure what is meant by "main range track". If this means the loop from Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake, Albina, Kosciuszko and the road back to Charlotte Pass, do the walk in this direction. The reason is that you cross the Snowy Rover close to the start, and if crossing cannot be done it's not far back to the road. Going clockwise the Snowy River is just before the end. If the crossing cannot be safely done it may be a long way around. Also, from Rawson Pass the road is reasonably easy to follow, and there will probably be tracks. There's shelter at the Rawson Pass toilet block and Seamans Hut.

The Main Range has sheltered campsites, but they may be hard to find, especially in bad weather. Look for sites below the ridge on the east and south sides. camping in glacial lake catchments is prohibited. Wilkinson Valley water should not be ingested. Too many people camp there and there is faecal pollution.

[rcaffin]

If you are going in October you may be struggling this year to find any snow.
Eh - you might be lucky.

Cheers
Roger