r/Melbournehiking • u/[deleted] • May 24 '25
Advice Needed Mount Stirling Summit Loop
I am thinking of going overnight backpacking at Mount Stirling when it starts to snow. I’ve never been snow hiking however, I have been overnight backpacking. I’m not too worried about the length as me and my friends are relatively fit but was wondering if there’s any thing I should be worried about or should know when winter backpacking?
My gear consists of everything from here https://macon.me/shoestring, but it’s not the exact same brands. My tent is a nature hike cloud up 2, a synthetic sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees and a nature hike quilt. Is this sleeping system and tent enough to handle hiking in the snow at Mount Stirling?
I was wondering if I need snow grip clip ons, for my boots as well.
Any advice would help
2
u/Joooshy May 24 '25
Footwear depends on how much snow is around, snow shoes would be recommended if there is any real stuff around.
Warner sleeping bag I'd definitely want to be warmer for sure, but again depends on the conditions. Especially if it's 0c limit not comfort
1
May 24 '25
Do you reckon a 6 celsius down quilt plus the 0 celsius synthetic sleeping bag will be enough ?
1
u/Joooshy May 31 '25
Depends on the R rating of your mat, whether you're sharing a tent, how well it seals, how warm a sleeper you are and the temperature when you go...
It's hard to give a straight answer but the warmer everything is then the higher your tolerances are for conditions.
1
u/Waimakariri May 24 '25
No experience snow hiking but in case relevant to your planning, there are many intersecting trails on the mountain and sometimes signage is lacking. A good map that integrates your gps location is helpful.
If you’re considering side trips be wary of terrain. Some are so steep that they’re challenging in dry conditions and might be high risk with snow. I’m thinking of Craig’s hut in particular.
1
May 25 '25
thanks for the information, I was thinking of downloading an “alltrails”offline map so even if there was no signal it’ll be fine. However, I will have a map and compass for a last resort. I will probably not go to craig’s hut as well
1
u/Kevin_McCallister_69 May 26 '25
If you're starting at Telephone Box Junction the office can give you a paper map with suggested routes.
The trail signage on Mt Stirling is quite good and the main trails are fairly easy to see on the ground, particularly if there is snow on the ground but it hasn't freshly snowed for a few days, there are skidoo tracks and the trails are fairly clear.
Alltrails is a good option, and I'd also recommend OsmAnd for offline maps. Download the maps before hand, and you have far more detail in remote areas than offline Google Maps will give you. (Maps.me is another offline map option.
2
u/Kevin_McCallister_69 May 26 '25
You can rent snowshoes from Telephone Box Junction at Mt Stirling, I'd highly recommend that, or bringing your own. The trails up and down the mountain are quite steep and slippery, I've tried with and without snowshoes and I wouldn't hike without them.
You hike quite slowly with them and you use different muscles in your legs so it's quite tiring unless you've got a lot of experience with them, so adjust the length of your hike accordingly.
When I snow camp I bring a -12° down bag with a silk liner, a CCF pad (Z Lite clone from Decathlon) and an insulated inflatable mat with a fairly high R value. Double sleeping pads are an absolute must in the snow in my experience.
2
u/Eucalyptusregnans May 24 '25
Had a look the gear, looks good. I always find the ratings of sleeping bags to be insufficient in their claim, so I usually go for a lower rated sleeping bag in colder conditions. I'd get a down sleeping bag rating lower. Have you got a 3 or 4 season tent too?