Bushwalk Australia

Hi all,

I am considering doing the Guthega to Thredbo hike overnighting at Wilkenson's Creek this coming weekend with a friend and would like to get inputs from anyone who has done this hike before. I have not done this hike before, nor have I done much hiking in snow - a little in Europe. I am a very experienced off-track hiker, navigator though. I have a couple of obvious questions and I'm interested in any other comments/ inputs.

Q1. Will snow shoes be a mandatory requirement for the current conditions?
Q2. Will the track be completely covered and unmarked because of snow?

Regards, Andrew

1. You will require either snow shoes or skis. I expect for the entire trip.

2. Yes. There is currently 1.4 metres of snow at Spencers Creek. Check the snow cams. See https://www.perisher.com.au/reports-cams/cams#Xkosci. Also check the guthega snow cam on the same site.

For Thredbo https://www.thredbo.com.au/mountain/live-cams/

Thanks Mark. Exactly what I wanted to know. We'll postpone until there is less snow.

Andrew, the fact that you need ask these questions suggest you are out of your depth on this one. Besides the whole route being covered in snow, which can be knee deep slush or ice-rink hard, weather conditions this time of year are potentially deadly and unpredictable, you need specialised equipment (sleeping bags, clothing etc), and significant skills and knowledge, to travel this area safely and comfortably. Snowfalls can occur any time of year, and usually do up until Christmas, as can rain storms just above freezing temperatures, which is potentially worse. In the area you are thinking of doing, there are only two shelters, both notoriously difficult to find in bad weather. There are many other potential problems. Several years ago a person was lost in this area, despite being trained Canadian military - presumably fairly skilled in winter survival. His remains were never found.

Please do your research, ski.com.au, weatherzone, Kosciusko National Park website and http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org provide useful info which you need to study. No one in the bushwalking fraternity wishes to hear about disasters and tragedies in what should be just beautiful places, so please take more care than you think necessary. I suggest you look to do this hike between Christmas and Easter, after doing your homework.

If you do end up completing this hike, let the forum know, posting your most valuable lessons.

All the best,

Skibug.

There are some strong words from Skibug and I hope all who read take them with the intent that is clearly implied. I have to agree. There are a number of places which are much safer to gain some experience in snow. In good conditions you probably would not have any trouble, provided you have suitable equipment, but we are not in control of the conditions and even the experienced get into trouble when conditions become harsh. Playing it safe by doing the walk with no snow first would be a good start as well. I prefer to be familiar with an area without the snow before I try it in snow. Even then the difference is astounding.

Agree entirely with both comments. Hence why we will delay until there is no or little snow. We have the required equipment but I wanted to confirm my own thoughts about the amount of snow still on the ground as it was not my idea to do the hike so needed to be sure it was not a good idea at this time.

We ended up going into the Blue Mountains and doing a nice day walk on Saturday. Dunphys - Carson Creek - Cattle Dog Spur - Blue Dog Ridge - Knights Deck - Breakfast Creek - Carson Creek - Dunphys. A nice round trip and perfect hiking weather.

Sounds like a nice day out Roguetrooper, much safer than the snow option & just as beautiful.

I agree with the others who have said wait until Feb. to hike this area.
Even if you have all the right white season gear that is the best money can buy and have trekked the Main Range area in green season anyone can be caught out in deadly spring weather above the treeline in the Aust. Alps.
We were up on the summit area at Falls Ck. on 1/10/16 and had to pull the pin on the snow shoe trek out to Pretty Valley hut. The weather was atrocious, relentless cold rain, minimal visibility , deep soft snow ,driving winds etc. . You could become hypothermic within an hour up there in those conditions on the summit ridge.
The Main Range has next to no snow pole lines, not many huts and without spending at least two white seasons, nearly every weekend out there in the Aust. Alps snow shoe trekking , XC skiing and back country snow camping you won't have any idea how bad the weather can be . It will kill you unless you rapidly find shelter or dig into the snow with a snow shovel and put up your tent quick smart and build a wall made of snow bricks around the tent.
Navigation in a white out is where your life depends on getting it right and knowing where to avoid avalanche risks on snow loaded slopes and cornices is also a life saver etc. . I have walked the whole Main range circuit in March/ April when the weather was mild. I have snow shoe trekked out to the Blue lake in Spring snow and climbed Mt. Kosi. in thigh deep spring snow when there were still massive cornices out there in October. It is amazing and beautiful and possibly deadly if things go wrong and the weather goes feral on you.
I might head out there in a week or two. There are still a zillion truck loads of snow out there this month and I love snow camping and snow shoe trekking!!.