Hobart weather: Council workers cop abuse for closing kunanyi/Mount Wellington gates after snow
Hobart council workers frequently cop abuse for closing the road to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. But you may not have to travel far to get to the snow this weekend. >>>
Tasmania
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Council workers are “frequently” copping abuse from people trying to access kunanyi/Mount Wellington, as locals and tourists alike flock there in the hope of seeing snow.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is warning of bitingly cold conditions across the state this weekend, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as 2C in Hobart on Sunday.
Hobart City Council director city amenity and bushland diversity John Fisher said while kunanyi might look “lovely” from the city, it could be “deadly on the mountain”.
“Our officers working on the mountain to help keep visitors safe are doing so in cold and uncomfortable conditions and are frequently receiving abuse from visitors unable to access the mountain,” Mr Fisher said.
“We urge people to please treat them with respect – abuse will not be tolerated and is not fair to our team.”
Mr Fisher told the Mercury that “we can’t stop clearing until the snow stops falling”, meaning access to the mountain would remain “restrictive” for the time being.
“There are only 250 carparks at the Springs and the pinnacle combined – if the gate is closed at the Springs, half the parking is taken,” he said.
The BoM’s Michael Conway said a “very large” high pressure system over the Great Australian Bight and a “very slow-moving” low pressure system off the southeast of Tasmania had combined to create the bitterly cold conditions sweeping the state.
“It directs a very cold, southerly, south-to-south-westerly flow in between the two systems and we’re right in the middle of that,” the meteorologist said. “That’ll continue through until the weekend.”
Showers are expected on the Bass Strait islands and in the west, south, and central areas of the state on Thursday, with snow falling to about 800m in the South. Temperatures are forecast to be as low as -3C at Liawenee and -4C at Ben Lomond.
Mr Conway said a “strong cold front” would hit Tasmania late on Saturday. For most of the day, snow will be down to 600m but is set to fall to 200m overnight into Sunday.
Tasmania Police senior constable Callum Herbert urged people to “think carefully” before venturing into the wilderness this weekend.
“We’re expecting very cold weather, rain and some of the season’s first heavy snows in alpine areas,” he said.
“While we don’t want to discourage people from spending time outdoors, we do need people to avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“If you’re not experienced in this sort of environment, you should delay your adventure until the conditions improve.”
Runners explain hard core trek in snow
What compels a group of people to brave freezing conditions and trek up kunanyi/Mount Wellington in the dark?
“There’s nothing that makes you feel more alive,” Jessica Robbins, a member of the kunanyi Dirtbaggers trail-running club, said.
On Tuesday night, amid sleet, gale force wings, and subzero temperatures, Ms Robbins and five friends set out from Fern Tree at 6pm, determined to reach the pinnacle.
“I must admit, there was one point last night where I was like, ‘What am I doing?’” she said on Wednesday.
“We then got out of the wind and I was like, ‘OK, this is awesome’.”
Ms Robbins said one member of the group had brought a wind speed meter with them, which showed that it was blowing 60km/h at the summit.
“It was like horizontal ice in your face,” Ms Robbins said.
The kunanyi Dirtbaggers – who scale the mountain every Tuesday evening – ascended via the Pinnacle Track, Organ Pipes Track, and Panorama Track, before descending via the road. It ultimately took them about 2 hours.
“I’d spent all day sitting behind a desk and then at 6pm, all of a sudden I’m in this really wildly different environment,” Ms Robbins said.
“Whatever problems or issues you might have had on your mind at the end of the day, they’re certainly completely resolved by the time you’ve finished that sort of pursuit.”
Ms Robbins stressed that the Dirtbaggers had extensive trail-running experience and always made safety their number one priority, carrying with them emergency gear and sticking together at all times.
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Originally published as Hobart weather: Council workers cop abuse for closing kunanyi/Mount Wellington gates after snow
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