Mt Skene Sunday

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 14:30
ThreadID: 7676 Views:2017 Replies:10 FollowUps:31
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With the forecast of shiat loads of snow the end of the week, I'm keen for Sunday.

This will probably be the last snow run for the year, and sounds good... Lets see if we can make it up the top again!!!!

Buller today has over a meter of natural snow still (dude working up there sent me pics)
http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/Ski/7th%20Oct/Buller%207th%20Oct%2004.JPG

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/Ski/7th%20Oct/Buller%207th%20Oct%2001.JPG

Anyone interested?
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Reply By: Luke - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 14:47

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 14:47
Don't tease me :-(

:-)

Have a great time!
AnswerID: 33127

Follow Up By: DODO(bendigo) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:56

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:56
gday luke .
cant you make it this weekendRaphus cucullatus
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Follow Up By: Luke - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 19:08

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 19:08
I really wish I could, but I've promised I'd put in an appearance at a friend's Bathurst BBQ :-(

...oh well....
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 20:15

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 20:15
Chuck a sicky at the party and come along.
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Follow Up By: Luke - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 20:51

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 20:51
I'd love to - but .... oh well, a promise is a promise no matter how boring Bathurst is ;-)
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 21:07

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 21:07
I promise you Bathurst races will SUCK....

Im sure watching dog bleep dry in the sun would be more exciting than a presession of cars going in circles ;)~
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Reply By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 15:39

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 15:39
ok.. Educate me.... I am in Melbourne (st kilda) over the weekend.... I dont know the areas surrounding Melbourne very well at all... Could this be a day trip out of the city centre?....If so, how long is the travelling to get there and back.... I dont really care if i get back at 11pm... I am just curious...

Regards..._____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
AnswerID: 33134

Follow Up By: Luke - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 16:37

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 16:37
Yep, it's a day trip from Melbourne.

Head a couple of hours Northeast to Mansfield from Melbourne, then an easy drive from there to where the fun begins :-)
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Follow Up By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:10

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:10
are we talking winching and recovering or just a hard slug this time of the year?_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
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Follow Up By: Luke - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:13

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:13
Not really sure what it will be like this Sunday - but when we saw a bit of snow up there the first time we went this year, nothing more serious than a couple of snatch recoveries. Most of those were avoidable though - just got stuck having fun :-)

I don't think winching would be necessary unless you wanted it to be ;-)
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:06

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:06
Voxon, always take ya recovery kit.

Meet in Either Mansfield, or in Lilydale I think it is, I'll check tonight

Im down Frankston way, your welcome to meet here and travel up...
could add an hour to ya trip though...

Winching, depends how adventurous you want to get!!
Bring drinks, food, camera, warm shiat, spare shoes and socks, single women if you knwo any, and film for camera.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:32

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:32
CLICK HERE FOR HOW TO GET THERE

220.70 kms 2:30 Hours
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Follow Up By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:19

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:19
yep... post the location and time as soon as you know because once i leave here saturday early hours i wont be able to get any more info from you...
I am coming over to help a friend tow back a drag car if he buys it... (sight unseen at this stage)... if it is crap we will be ready for an adventure, if it is good we leave melb for home sunday am....
Plenty of recovery gear on board but no wenches....Might have to order takeout...*lol*...

Regards......_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:25

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:25
wats ya email addy, I'll send you my mobile #
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Follow Up By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:28

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:28
R1voxson@bigpond.net.au

remove the yamaha from the beginning_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:29

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 22:29
u have mail
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Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:22

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:22
i will mention it to my bro see if he is keen but bathurts ???? looms large at the mo

is it up and back same way or over to heyfeield or bush it on the way down back to jamiesson?

hmmmm1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
AnswerID: 33141

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:07

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:07
Bathurst? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Watch the 10 mins of highlight on Sports Tonight... watching cars follow each other for 8 hours round a circle sucks.. more fun watching the car in front of you...
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Reply By: DODO(bendigo) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:48

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 17:48
im keen to go.
what time at mansfield
how many rotors @$125 each.
any other spares needed like caliper kits.
did i forget anything lolRaphus cucullatus
AnswerID: 33145

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:44

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 18:44
10-10-30am in Mansfield? Servo on way out of town there?(last one on left before Jamieson turnoff....)

UHF Ch:25,
27meg Ch:25
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:12

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:12
That would be the BP Bruce ;)
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Reply By: Member - Bob L - Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 23:27

Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003 at 23:27
Truckster,
We were camping on the Goulburn last weekend near Knockwood and did Mt Terrible on Sunday then on Monday followed Lazarini Spur including two difficult river crossings. Tried to cross Mt Skene to return to Jamieson but had to turn back about 2 km from the top due to deep snow. Too deep to get any traction.
Had to return the way we came including the river crossings (no winching this time).
You probably know the area well but it was quite an experience for most of our group. Loved every minute, even the scary bits.
Snow should last another week - Have fun.
Cheers Bob
AnswerID: 33198

Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:10

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:10
Truckster,

Could be very interested, but....

Would we absolutly need aggressive tread tyres? Mine are more road than off-road (standard Sportage tyres - Hankooks) but I'm itching to try out my new spring lift........

I'm happy to leave it to up to your judgement.
AnswerID: 33218

Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:13

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:13
If someone Gives me a lift, i would love to come along.

No Licence :(

Steve
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Follow Up By: DODO(bendigo) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:27

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:27
your tyres shouldnt be a problem im running cooper h/t.Raphus cucullatus
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:30

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:30
Just let them down nice and low and you will crawl on top of the snow

we ran 8psi 2 weeks ago and were making great progress

Steve
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FollowupID: 23787

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:05

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:05
Well that being the case, I'm in!

Look for a red lifted Kia Sportage presently running 205/70R15's (and looking pretty silly doing it!!)

Steve, where do you live? I'm in Chadstone area (2 min from the freeway) and I could do with a snatch strap lackey....
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:28

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:28
I live in Lara (near Geelong ) :(

Steve
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Reply By: floyd - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:06

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:06
No snow has fallen here in the last 6 days. The weather has been warm, rainy and windy. I live near Merrijig and can tell you that there is only visible snow on the very top of Buller (1700 metres), stirling snow is almost gone. I would be surprised if Skene has anything at all. All of the snow that fell in the last two weeks has almost gone from Buller which is higher than Skene. The weather here is cold but hardly a cloud that threatens snow. I am at 1500 metres at the moment and the ground is almost dry. A little above freezing. Last night a friend in the Lake Mountain Marysville area said that they got 2 inches of fresh but it didnt fall anywhere near Mansfield.
AnswerID: 33232

Follow Up By: Member - Bob L - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:17

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 13:17
Floyd, I can assure you Mt Skene was blocked with snow on Monday.
From the Licola end approx 2km from the top near a track off to the right. Too deep for chains to bite in.
Cheers Bob

.
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:35

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:35
Chains don't help in deep snow.

They are good in mud, or hard compacted snow ./ ice

When driving on 1-2 ft of fresh powder you need LOW pressures (3-10 psi)

drive REAL slow (1st low, at idle) and you will make progress.

When you feel the slightest loss of traction (this is where the skill comes in, feeling for this and knowing when to stop) you stop, backup try again.

The extra bit of momentum will get you back on top.

Passengers are handy to have as they can shovel snow to help get back on top.

driving over your tracks a few times can compact and ice up your tracks to help get some momentum on to push forward.

The only other way i know to get through REAL deep fresh powder snow, involves a lot of Cubic inches, BIG aggressive tyres at 8psi, lots of noise and a fair bit of the right boot ;)

Steve
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Follow Up By: floyd - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:58

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:58
I agree Member Gob that Mt Skene probably was packed weith snow on Monday but so was Mt Buller and Mt Stirling on monday too. I live here and drive to work on Buller every day and I am telling you that since monday we have lost over 2 foot of snow from Buller and Stirling. I am looking at stirling now and there is only about 1/8th cover on the southern side. The northern side I have been told has less (this is where the sun shines directly). I can see Skene from the front entry to my office and I am telling you that there is only a hint of white on the very top. The whole north side is green.

Mr Srowlandson, chains do help in deep snow believe me. I have had 19 years experience driving and living in Canadian Rockies, European Alps USA rockies and the Australian and NZ alps. I have never had to lower tyre pressures at all and have gone through 3 foot falls on the Alpine way and the Hotham rd on many occasions. A lot of it in a 72 model HQ with a 202 and a 3 on the tree. The snow was up to the grill and with a bit of clever driving and chains we did almost 40 kms in these conditions.

You mention that you need a lot of cubic inches to get through real deep fresh powder which blows your comment about "drive REAL slow (1st low, at idle) and you will make progress" out of th water. Low gearing and care will work better than a lot of cubic inches if it is deep.

Big agressive tyres is a crock of bleep e. Anyone who lives and works in the snow knows that the skinny tyres are the best on all types of snow (except maybee for glaciers and the polar ice caps). All business operators, taxi companies, buslines, garbage collecters, snow plows etc etc all around the world in resorts and towns that get snow use the skinny tyres as they cut in and get traction. I have fat tyres and occasionally struggle in some conditions where skinny tyres make it up without trouble. Fat tyres also skid a bit more when going downhill and cornering.

Whatever works for you is fine snowlandson. I am just letting you know from my experience.

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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:08

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:08
The Cubic Inches and Big aggressive tyres was an alternative... both work well , I have had a lot of fun doing both methods

As for chains Vs no Chains.... I prefer to drop the pressures and drive on through... Never needed to fit chains, its easier to sit on top of the snow and crawl along.

Tall and skinny work well, and airing down lengthens the contact patch of Tyre Vs Ground... and wide tyres don't necessarily give a bigger contact patch...

Chains work for some, but in my experience, it's amazing how much difference in traction when you drop to 5-8psi, in any offroad situation.

Steve
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:10

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:10
Also, How do you explain the Big 44 x 21 x 15 Tyres fitted to the Trucks supplied by Artic Trucks for Snow use :o

Big and Wide, Low PSI (3-8) in snow will get you anywhere, with low gearing. ;)

:D
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:21

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:21
I asked.
Ive been told theres nothing left. So whats the story?

He said
Nothing left where?

Its snowing today and looks like snowing tonight, its bleep ing freezing up here.
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FollowupID: 23836

Follow Up By: Member - Bob L - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:28

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:28
Floyd
Point taken.Would love to have tried harder but it was not my trip and we only had 2 hours daylight left so the decision to return the way we came was probably the best. We only gained about 50 mtrs in the snow and had no idea how far it would last or how long it would take.
PS there where existing wheel tracks but they did not look fresh?
Maybe next year?
Cheers
Bob

.
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FollowupID: 23838

Reply By: DCPAus - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:45

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 14:45
Hey Truckster

I am a newbie ( have a 2000 Pajero 3,5 litre), would this be a suitable tagalong trip for a beginner ? And would I be crazy to have my 3 month old kid and wife along ?

Dominic
AnswerID: 33239

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:28

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:28
yea its kewl, should be ok, we had a newb last trip, and just drove accordingly...

Just have your own recovery gear, 2x rated shackles, snatch strap, shovel, and THERMOS!!
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Follow Up By: DODO(bendigo) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 18:18

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 18:18
gday dcp.
we went up 2 weeks ago with toonfish and his little one is 2 months old.
am i right toonie lolRaphus cucullatus
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FollowupID: 23815

Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:26

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 15:26
Truckster,

Can we have a definite time and place to meet? You mentioned the petrol station (BP) just out of Mansfield, but gave us a map to Cathkin.....
AnswerID: 33243

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:14

Thursday, Oct 09, 2003 at 21:14
Ok Mansfield 10-10-30am, BP Servo on way out of Mansfield.
The link above bleep ed up somehow (even says Mansfield)

try This is to Jamiesongives you the idea...
AnswerID: 33277

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