Trip reports

Trip report

2011-08-18	CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Munyang - Schlink Hut - Valentine Hut at Snowy Mountains
Trip report:
Initially we had planned to do a traverse of the Main Range, however it was rainy on the morning of 19 August 2011 and the weather forecast for the next few days included strong winds so we changed plans. After collecting gear from Jindabyne we started skiing around 11am. Our plan was to start at Munyang head to Schlink Hut and then perhaps to Valentine Hut. However these plans had to be changed after we followed the incorrect track at the top of the viaduct. This wasted considerable time before we twigged to the error. We then retraced our tracks and followed Schlink Trail, this time correctly, to Horse Camp Hut. At Horse Camp Hut we were meet by a fellow snow shoer who was well into his trip allowance of port at 1pm! He was however able to recommend a route at the back of the hut via an aquaduct that had a better snow cover than the main trail. We followed this to where it joined the main Schlink Track below Whites River. We then skiied up to Schlink Hut, arriving just after dusk. The beds in the hut were already full but there was floor space. I decided I would probably get a better nights sleep by camping and pitched my tent outside the hut. The next day was clear, cold and windy. We departed Schlink at about 9.30am and arrived at Valentine Hut around noon. In the afternoon we went for a walk to Valentine Falls. The evening was spent very happily in the company of another party of three. The following day we departed with a plan to get to Whites River. At Schlink we spoke to another skiier who told us the conditions up from Munyang that morning were very icy. We therefore decided to get as far down as possible in the softer afternoon snow. We followed the Disappointment Spur Track to the bottom. We arrived back at the cars at about 5pm.