Dinner Plain Snow Camping

This is a chance to experience snow camping in relative civilisation. We will be camping near JB Hut, about 2 km west of the Dinner Plain village, and just off the Omeo to Mt Hotham Road, about 12 km south-east of the Mt Hotham alpine resort.  This event is a re-scheduled version of the planned event in July 2021 that was cancelled due to a lockdown ** Limit of 12 participants **

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium grade. Snow-camping experience is not required, but previous other camping experience, and possession of good quality camping equipment for the weekend, are both essential. The main daytime activity will be cross-country skiing; if you wish to participate in this, previous cross-country skiing experience is highly recommended.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
A chance to safely test your alpine survival skills and to go cross-country skiing; the details of which will depend on the experience of the group. There is excellent beginner terrain in the vicinity of JB Hut and Dinner Plain, and more challenging terrain further up the mountain. You can access this event by public transport, or a combination of car and public transport. If only using public transport, you will need to leave Melbourne on Thursday and return on Monday - see PUBLIC TRANSPORT for details.

BOOKING: By Wednesday 20th July. To register, click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: General Checklist: Nomads walking events.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS: JB Hut is at 1600m elevation, about 200m lower than the Mt Hotham alpine resort, and typically has snow cover for part of winter only. If the snow cover will be inadequate for cross-country skiing on that weekend, this trip will be cancelled. The final decision on this will be made on Tuesday 19 July 2022, and the decision will be based on the Dinner Plain snow report for that day, plus the weather forecast for the next five days.

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am Saturday 23 July at JB Hut, 2 km west of the Dinner Plain village. There is an optional extra day on Friday 22 July, but if travelling to the location by public transport, it will be necessary to arrive on this day, as there are no V/Line buses between Bright and Mt Hotham on Saturdays. It is generally possible to be dropped off, upon request, at JB Hut (rather than at the Dinner Plain village, 2 km further on). If so, there will still be a 200m walk-in from the road. 

MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X922 grid H11 | Google map goo.gl/maps/YCgnWaxzn7DBAsAS9. 

TRAVELLING BY CAR: 

• RECOMMENDED ROUTE: Melbourne to Dinner Plain, via Omeo, is 445 km, 5 hours 40 minutes. If you are travelling from Melbourne late on Friday, and will be arriving at night, staying at Omeo overnight on the Friday is suggested – this allows you to travel up to the snowline in daylight.
• ALTERNATIVE ROUTE (NOT RECOMMENDED): Melbourne to Dinner Plain, via Bright and Mt Hotham, is 388 km, 5 hours 30 minutes. This route is not recommended in winter for self-driving, unless you are experienced in driving on snow and ice, including in fitting of chains. You may also choose to leave your car in Bright (on the Friday) and catch a bus for the remainder of the journey - see PUBLIC TRANSPORT below. 
• NOTE: If you drive, overnight camping will involve parking on the side of the Mt Hotham road, and a 200m walk-in. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Melbourne to Bright, via V/Line (approximately 4 hours 30 minutes) PLUS Bright to Dinner Plain, via V/Line (approximately 3 hours).

• NOTE: The alpine service generally does NOT connect with the Melbourne to Bright (and return) V/Line service, and so it will probably be necessary to stay overnight in Bright on the Thursday and Sunday nights.
• Thursday Service - Melbourne to Bright (train to Wangaratta + coach to Bright):
  depart Southern Cross 9:26am - arrive Bright 3:50pm
  depart Southern Cross 12:05pm - arrive Bright 4:33pm
  depart Southern Cross 6:02pm - arrive Bright 10:29pm
• Friday Alpine Service: The bus leaves the Bright V/Line stop (outside the Alpine Hotel, Anderson St, Bright) at 7:15am (recommended to catch this) or at 3:30pm. If you catch the afternoon service, you will arrive at Dinner Plain/JB hut at night, and so will be setting up camp in the dark, which is NOT recommended.
• Sunday Alpine Service: The return service leaves Dinner Plain village at 5pm on Sunday, and arrives at Bright at 7:10pm. Note that it may not be possible, when travelling in this direction, to be picked up by the bus at JB Hut (you may need to walk 2 km to the Dinner Plain village). 
• Monday Service - Bright to Melbourne (coach to Wangaratta + train to Melbourne):
  depart Bright 6:14am - arrive Southern Cross 10:35am
  depart Bright 11:54am - arrive Southern Cross 4:40pm
  depart Bright 2:08pm - arrive Southern Cross 9:45pm

FOOD: You will need to carry all food supplies for your time on the mountain. The leader will give you further advice regarding food after you have registered.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Warm clothing (at least two changes), beanie, gloves and a waterproof outer layer (jacket and pants) are essential. For cross-country skiing, wearing three or four thin-ish layers of clothing works best for thermal insulation and avoiding over-heating while on the move. Your waterproof outer layer should be a “shell”, rather than an insulated garment.

LEADER: Paul W. | Email LeaderPaulW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

 

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