Every thing you’ll want to learn about climbing Mount Kosciuszko within the Snowy Mountains.
There’s something about conquering the best mountains on the planet that triggers the adventurers hidden in us. The concept of climbing Mount Everest, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua has attracted explorers and mountaineers for many years.
Nevertheless, with regards to strolling to the highest of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228m, she is just not so fearless. However that does not imply it is not value doing!
After unexpectedly coming back from a two-month journey to Australia, our ft began to itch and we determined it was time to hit the street in our personal nation.
Since we spend most of our time abroad, that is one thing we have not finished on the East Coast. So we selected a rental automotive with Financial system Bookings and set off on a visit to New South Wales.
Our first path was to go south to hike in Kosciuszko Nationwide Park.
After an incredible drive down the coast and a implausible night time tenting within the city of Gundaroo outdoors of Canberra, we arrived on the mountain resort of Jindabyne on the second afternoon.
We had no plans, no concept the place to remain or what to do in Kosciuszko Nationwide Park. A brief cease on the customer middle gave us all the knowledge we wanted and we determined to spend the following day tackling the 22 km path.
With the top results of strolling up Mount Kosciuszko and standing on the roof of Australia, there was no means we have been going to overlook this chance!
It was a pleasant afternoon, so we frolicked round Jindabyne for a number of extra hours earlier than transferring on to Mt Kosciuszko Nationwide Park.
After handing over $17 for twenty-four hours of entry to Mount Kosciuszko Nationwide Park (the costliest within the nation), we instantly felt the value was justified as we drove by way of the dense forest and rolling valleys that make up the alpine panorama of the Snowy Mountains.
Though the doorway price is pricey, the additional advantage is that there are many free tenting spots in every single place.
We stopped at Island Bend Campground and have been delighted to see that we have been the one ones there (apart from dozens of kangaroos hopping round).
The second we arrange the tent, an enormous thunderstorm rolled in and we needed to search shelter within the automotive. Between the lull within the rain and the darting electrical bolts, we cooked a steak on the fuel range (a bonus of automotive tenting – the flexibility to carry nice meals with you) and threw ourselves into the sack.
Morning got here, and there was barely a cloud within the sky. We packed up in moist camp and left Island Bend earlier than dawn, and shortly made our option to the highest of Charlotte Cross.
Charlotte Cross is in any other case a well-liked ski resort and it is not uncommon to park within the Charlotte Cross automotive park to start out the Mt Kosciuszko summit stroll.
Since we determined to camp, we simply wakened, packed up and began mountaineering up Mt Kosciuszko from Charlotte Cross.
Climbing Mount Kosciuszko
Despite the fact that it was the center of summer season, it was bitterly chilly as we packed our day packs and got down to start our hike up Mount Kosciuszko.
A delicate cobbled slope led right down to our first river crossing and we rocked our means over the well-known and historic River Snowy.
This place is likely one of the most lovely on the path, and regardless of having simply taken the primary path to Mount Kosciuszko, we stopped for a brief water break to admire the elegant mountain surroundings and clear air earlier than heading to Blue Lake.
We began our ascent in the direction of Hedley Tarn and Blue Lake once we caught up with a match couple of their 60s known as Joan and Rick and struck up a dialog.
They have been from the US, however had spent a part of their lives touring the world. We instantly made an amazing connection, and once they informed us that they’d “quite spend our cash on experiences than issues,” we wished to know extra concerning the adventures they have been on. We did not cease speaking for the following 21 km.
We instantly made an amazing connection, and once they informed us that they’d “quite spend our cash on experiences than issues,” we wished to know extra concerning the adventures they have been on. We did not cease speaking for the following 21 km previous the Blue Lake.
Passing Blue Lake, we ended up on the ridge of the Important Vary Monitor and handed the remnant wildflowers left over from the early summer season.
The upper we rose in altitude, the extra infinite alpine peaks got here into view. Australia might not be recognized for its mountainous surroundings, however standing on this ridge looking on the majestic Snowy Mountains stretching for eternity made us fall in love with our nation yet again.
Joan, Rick and I continued strolling because the temperature started to rise. The Important Vary Monitor was very nicely maintained and never very steep, and we stored an amazing tempo.
Alpine lakes have been unfold out within the valleys under us and, aside from a number of quick breaks within the water, we continued to climb the summit of Mt Kosciuszko with barely a relaxation. The entire time we hardly noticed a single soul.
Round lunchtime we reached the purpose the place the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Stroll joins the Important Vary Stroll and we could not consider how many individuals we met.
Most appeared to benefit from the Mt Kosciuszko quick chair climbing Thredbo to realize their objective of climbing Mt Kosciuszko. We joined a line of walkers to circle the final leg of Australia’s highest mountain.
Inside minutes we lastly reached the highest of Mount Kosciuszko! 2228 m above sea stage. We hugged Joan and Rick and sat down for a fast meal. We shared our nuts, tuna and crackers and so they provided us path combine and fruit.
We stared on the valley, realizing that we may do no extra on this huge land. After rising up in Australia, we lastly made it to the highest of Mount Kosciuszko!
After taking our celebratory images, we headed again down Mount Kosciuszko. Lesh stayed with Joan whereas Rick and I continued to speak as if we have been outdated buddies.
The previous couple of kilometers to the trailhead flew by and shortly we have been standing behind our automobiles exchanging particulars. Your complete 22 km, together with lunch, took solely 7 hours.
Climbing Mt Kosciuszko was an actual spotlight of our east coast journey and proved to be the most effective issues to do in New South Wales.
After desirous to climb Australia’s highest peak all our lives, we have been thrilled to lastly have the ability to do it. It might not have been one of many tougher trails we have coated, however mountaineering Mt Kosciuszko Nationwide Park was nonetheless a sensational expertise.
We returned to city and selected a campsite at Jindabyne Vacation Park on the sting of Lake Jindabyne. It was a bit of dearer than we anticipated (AUD$27 for a non-powered website) however the amenities have been impeccable and the new bathe was wonderful.
Joan and Rick graciously invited us out that night and did not take no for a solution once they provided to deal with us to dinner. We have been completely humbled and grateful, and ended up becoming a member of them for a meal and some beers in an amazing pub in Jindabyne that night. After saying our goodbyes we returned to our camp and crawled again to our tent.
Our satisfaction climbing Mt Kosciuszko was immense, however the added shock of constructing new buddies made the hike much more rewarding. You must at all times cease and discuss to individuals on the path – you by no means know what attention-grabbing experiences you should have.
Our rental automotive was offered by Financial system Bookings. All of the kilometers and enjoyable we had on Mount Kosciuszko are completely ours.