Bushwalk Australia

Hi,

I am wanting to hike the Kosciuszko region with a group of friends. We have plenty of multi-day experience, though not in snow conditions - basically no skiing experience.
I have hiked on the Kosciuszko main range in summer, which would be very different obviously.

Rough idea is 7 days traversing from Round Mountain to Geehi with snowshoes (car shuffle along Toomba and Alpine way) - I am considering the reverse direction for a elevation challenge.
Round Mtn -> (15km) Derschkos Hut -> (15km) Grey Mare hut -> (16km) Schlink Hilton Hut -> (15km) Camp Pounds Creek East of Mt Twynam -> (15km) Camp Wilsons Creek -> (12km) Geehi.
There will be options to do some detours to to various other peaks when on the main range: Mount Townsend, and should probably do Mount Kosciuszko. Also Jagungal at the start.

Would like to know such things as:
- Is this a good idea.
- Would between late June / late July be a good time (Uni break).
- How is road access to Geehi and Round Mountain during the stated time of year.
- Any tips for someone with basically no experience in the snow. Microspikes needed?
- Please let me know if you have an alternate idea.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

The first issue is road access. I do not know when the gates are shut. Also, it's a long car shuffle.

Round Mountain to Derschkos Hut (point 1 on the map) is possible in a day. The only obstacle is the creek near the start. After that it's a doddle, flat and undulating, gentle slopes and bridges. The hut is quite good. The Grey Mare day is good until just before the hut (point 2). The creek is normally about ankle deep, but if it's been raining it could be a lot deeper and swifter. The next day to Schlink (point 3) is much more challenging, with four river crossings. The Geehi and Valentine are usually shin deep and swift. With rain they could be impassible. After Schlink it is even more interesting. Schlink to Pounds Creek is not far, but there's no track and minimal shelter. Navigating in poor conditions is hard. I'd take two GPSs, with one in reserve in case the main GPS ceases to work. The last few days are similar. Townsend is a good half day from Tate, mainly on tracks. There's minimal shelter after Tate.

You may have good weather and no snow, or the weather could be very bad with dangerous river crossings.

I'm not keen on the plan for the above reasons. What is your goal?

The map does not like off tracks, so I cannot show you anything beyond Schlink Pass. the track from there west onto the Dicky Cooper Bogong region does not exist. There are a few pads and crumpled areas, but that's all.
https://graphhopper.com/maps/?point=-36 ... F+Outdoors

A closer option is to the Bogong High Plains. If this appeals please so advise.

drain wrote: - How is road access to Geehi and Round Mountain during the stated time of year.
Thanks!

The road to Round Mountain is closed from the June Long Weekend until the October Long Weekend. I have found via experience that on the June Long Weekend they close and lock the gate on the Friday night, even in fine weather with no snow.

A belated thought. Walking in June and July above about 1500 metres is a bit risky in that there could be a dump of snow, making progress hard. Also, if this happens at a remote region such as Grey Mare Hut or Ryders Huts, getting out may be problematic. There are very limited viable escape routes from the walk as planned. One year in late June or early July we walked up Bungalow Spur. There was a big snowfall on the Friday and we floundered in waist-deep powder. It took three hours to get from the Bungalow Hut at point 1 on the map, one kilometre and up about 200 metres to Federation Hut. We were the only people there that day. A few years ago in late October I was trapped at a hut for three days, blizzard and very strong wind.

I had thought of a walk closer to home. Harrietville, Federation Hut, Diamantina Spur, Westons Hut, a few days on the high plains, Dibbins Hut, Derrick Hut, The Razorback, Harrietville. The problem is that if you get snowed in at, say, Tawonga Huts or Ryders Huts, it's hard to get out.

Thanks I appreciate the insight.

Seems like my initial plan is a bit of a non-starter given road closures, remoteness, stream crossings etc... While the north of the snowy mountains is not really accessible in the winter, is it it worthwhile planning something else on the main range?

Otherwise I haven't hiked in Victoria. So I'll spend some time looking at routes on the Bogong High Plains, as my options are pretty open at this point.
Mt Feathertop via razorback looks epic, maybe then Diamantina Spur to Blair hut...

Can you expand by what you mean by snowed in? As in poor visibility and actively snowing heavily type situation.
Side note; I will be going on a stint in the Swiss alps to visit an experienced mountaineering friend between now and this trip, so ideally will be more across on the basics of snow and ice.

My goal is to spend 8ish days hiking somewhere - traveling from interstate (QLD). So possibly a multi-day and then a couple of shorter hikes.

Thanks again, and cheers!

Big plans in the snow, in the mountains, are almost always doomed too fail, especially when starting out. A popular snowshoeing area is from Guthega Power Station up Schlink Pass Road. See how you go. There are a number of huts with campsites along the way. You could basecamp next to Whites Hut or Schlinks, and climb Gungartan or Dickie Bogong. A lot of flexible options depending on weather, fitness and how well your equipment holds up. Plus you have the huts and a relatively easy escape route, back to Guthega PS, in case of an emergency.

drain wrote:Otherwise I haven't hiked in Victoria. So I'll spend some time looking at routes on the Bogong High Plains, as my options are pretty open at this point.
Mt Feathertop via razorback looks epic, maybe then Diamantina Spur to Blair hut...

The Razorback is pretty easy but the start is within the resort boundary and you will not be able to park at the start. Daily entry fees apply. Blairs will be out of the snow but it is a nice spot. Bogong High Plains is accessible via Falls Creek resort which will also cost but there are some options that avoid entry fees. Much more on that in the Victoria section of this site. There would be more chance of snow in NSW around Guthega due to its altitude. BHP varies but mostly under 1800m. The snowline in a good season is normally around 1400m but we haven't seen that for a while. Certainly would not expect much before the end of the July but if we happen to get some good falls, the higher locations will fair better for longer.

Mt. Bogong could also be an option. The summit area is exposed and you would not do this in bad weather (says me who has) but there are three huts off the summit that can provide shelter and you definitely get that feeling of being on a mountain. Some might feel Bogong would be too much for someone new to snow activities but you can get into as much trouble on the plains as you can on the mountain. Mostly it is about picking a good weather window and being prepared to change your plans if things turn bad.

At this point I am not hopeful of a good season. The long range forecast is for a warm winter. If you want a good alpine weather thread I suggest you go here https://www.ski.com.au/xf/forums/alpine-snow.16/ but I also suggest you read along and not comment until you get the swing of things. These guys like their weather stuff.

The advice of crollsurf and Xplorer has merit. Guthega Power Station north to Schlink Pass is quite popular. There's a route to avoid the easy river crossing, saves getting the feet wet. Unless there's a massive amount of snow, getting back on the road should be viable.

In October 2018 I was stuck at O'Keefes Hut for three days, hemmed in by the riskiest river crossing I have ever done and strong winds with a blizzard above. In winter I was at Cesjackes Hut for three days, over a metre of snow, very low visibility. Another winter at a Victorian hut we had nearly two metres of snow. The pictures are;
Jagungal on the day I left the hut;
a few hours later, Jagungal summit to the Main Range; and
Howitt whiteout.

We have plenty of multi-day experience, though not in snow conditions - basically no skiing experience.
I have hiked on the Kosciuszko main range in summer, which would be very different obviously.

Different - and how!

Rough idea is 7 days traversing from Round Mountain to Geehi with snowshoes

A wonderful trip, but with less than 20% chance of success imho. The weather is 'not loving'.
The car shuffle could take a full day in winter - it all depends.

Round Mtn -> (15km) Derschkos Hut -> (15km) Grey Mare hut -> (16km) Schlink Hilton Hut -> (15km) Camp Pounds Creek East of Mt Twynam -> (15km) Camp Wilsons Creek -> (12km) Geehi.

In fine weather that would be a good ambitious trip, BUT
* Going from Grey Mare to Valentines in winter would be difficult, and could be impossible. Up beside the Valentine Falls in snow - much mirth. Too much mirth.
* Valentines to Schlink Hilton in fine weather should be OK - IF you already know the route. There are some less-obvious sections in the snow. IF there is snow, of course.
* Schlink Hilton to Pounds Creek is OK in fine weather. Getting across the Rolling Grounds in bad weather is famous - or should I say infamous, depending on your point of view. Then you would have to find Consett Stephen Pass - in a white-out. Without the Pass, the sides can be very steep.

- Is this a good idea.
- Would between late June / late July be a good time (Uni break).

Ha! Frankly, NO.
Actually, a bit early in the year if you are hoping for good snow. These days, all snow bets are off. Weather could be filthy.

- Any tips for someone with basically no experience in the snow. Microspikes needed?

* Trying to do that trip with just shoes and/or microspikes would be just silly.
* Trying to do it with snowshoes might be possible but would be very slow.
* Cross-country skiing over most of it would be much much safer, although carrying snowshoes as well might be smart. Always assuming you have experience with XCskiing.
* Taking a LOT of food and fuel and clothing and some very serious tunnel tents is highly recommended.
* Taking one or two GPS units would be advisable.

Do NOT expect to be able to call for help - choppers won't (can't) fly in the typical bad mountain weather. You can die fast.

Far better recommendation: many shorter trips in the snow from secure bases for several years first, and get much experience. Always be willing to retreat.

Cheers
Roger
(with 30+ yrs XC ski touring up there)