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Ice climbing at Feathertop next week

ice

17-Aug-2005
8:34:09 PM

2 of us will be at Feathertop for a week from next Sunday Aug 21st if anyone wants to join in.

ant

18-Aug-2005
9:06:39 AM

Hey Chris,

You have got me curious - does feathertop get much ice, or is it predominantly neve?

Also, any idea on snow conditions? Are you guys going to approach by skis / snowshoes, or would walking be easier.

nmonteith

18-Aug-2005
9:10:01 AM

There is lots of snow all the way across the Razorback ridge. 100cm deep in most places.

ant

18-Aug-2005
9:16:14 AM

Cheers Neil.

Here is a picture of the Feathertop cornice from late Septmeber last year...

nmonteith

18-Aug-2005
9:24:02 AM

Sunrise on Feathertop yesterday morning. (from ski.com.au)

ice

18-Aug-2005
2:42:28 PM

Ant,
With clear cold nights, it gets quite crusty on the main ridges. However the best places to get ice are usually in the gullies and rocky areas on the east face.
Was up at Hotham last week when it dumped and with the warmer/clear weather this week, it should start to melt and re-freeze overnight.
As usual we walk up from Harriertville (~3 Hrs to Federation) and take snowshoes as they are lighter than skis and you don't need extra boots. This time last year it was more than knee deep from the old hut site - not much fun with a full pack. The snow shoes also come in handy getting up and down from the top when it gets soft later in the day.

sjm

18-Aug-2005
7:09:26 PM

I'll be there from the 25th onwards. Look for a green salewa tent.

I also went last month, and basically was tent-bound for 4 days - thick fog and rain meant very poor visibility and an icy crust on top of slush. I carried crampons, but didn't use them. Also carried an ice axe, and found it very helpful traversing the razorback. Also came in handy for chipping the tent out of the ice when leaving :)

I definately recommend snow shoes if you're carrying a pack.

This pic was taken about 50m north of the hut 3 weeks ago.

ant

19-Aug-2005
10:26:58 AM

Weather dependent, I plan on skiing up from Harrietville on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Will spend the night at the Feathertop 'base camp' then head over the razorback and back to Harrietville the following day.

See you up there

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