Latest snow condition in Kosi & campsite near Mt Townsend

[rM788]

Hi I am an enthusiast hiker and i did few hiking to kosi/kanangra during summer/spring/autumn.
This is going to be my first solo 2 nights hike that i have planed, starting from Eagle nest - Kosi summit - Wilkinson creeks for overnight and continue to mt townsend the following day and back to eagle nest on the third day. I wish if anyone been to mt townsend and share me your experience where i can pitch my tent somewhere near mt townsend? I would much appreciate if any of you know the coordinate or the location on the map where we allow to camp there ( i try to avoid camp near restricted area unless the bad weather). Would that location expose to westerly wind? please recommend me if you know a good spot for me to spend the night somewhere there and how to get there..
I am also curious if anyone has just returned from there and share me the latest snow condition up there, do i need a snowshoes/shovel? at the moment my tentative date would be 11 - 13 October if the weather permit.
If there is any other advise i would gladly much appreciate it. Note: gears wise, i am ready to go, except if i need a snowshoe and shovel..
Thanking you in advance sincerely for any kind advises which will make my journey worthwhile. Thank you.

[icefest]

I camped to the north of the saddle as there is a lake towards the south of Mt Townsend.

[rM788]

thank you Icefest for your info. Are we legally oke to camp there? regards..

[Lophophaps]

Unless you start after about, say, 2 pm, you should be able to make Townsend without too much effort. The track to Kosciuszko is well-defined and fairly gentle, with the steepest bit being the road. From the road it’s a gentle slog down to Muellers Pass, where an indistinct pad goes to Townsend. Take your time to attempt to follow this pad; the scrub and rocks are somewhat slow. Once past Muellers Peak the pad becomes more defined. There are a number of creeks, heaps of water. Just below the summit of Townsend there are a few lovely flat sheltered spots, good views, and is where I suggest you camp. There are too many people camping in the valley, and the water is a bit suss. The high camp has much better views. You can look down on your subjects.

On the return journey, you can turn Muellers on the east (left) side and traverse above Lake Albina to end up at Albina Pass. I have no advice about snow, but suggest that there may be drifts on the lee slopes. Remember that snow falls by altitude and melts by attitude, so the sheltered southern slopes are where snow is more likely. I’d expect snow descending from Kosciuszko, but not in too many other places.

If there is snow from Muellers Pass going north it may be tricky as you could fall through the scrub, not much fun. Unless there has been a major dump of snow I don’t see the need for snowshoes.

Note that the entire area is a fire free – you must have a stove. A few years ago some dills were carrying wood to Townsend! Expect bad weather as well. It can be fine and mild in Thredbo and a raging blizzard at Eagles. Wearing a jacket from the bottom is indicated.

[north-north-west]

Technically, you aren't supposed to camp north of the pad out to Townsend, as that is considered to be part of the catchment for Albina. Ditto the summit tower itself, despite the brilliant camping up there. Personally, my practice is that as long as you make your toilet stops where it won't impact the catchment, it should be OK. I've always camped just south of the saddle immediately before the summit tower, or on one of those grassy spots on the tower itself.
It's not far back into the lee of Mueller, which also offers some good campsites and a bit more shelter. So does the ground out towards Alice Rawson although it is more exposed.

Great camping, but please consider both the conditions and your impact on the area before deciding where to pitch. And where to do other things as well.

[Lophophaps]

NNW, See
http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/Kosci ... geUnit.pdf
at page 154, point 21. This says :
21. Permit dispersed overnight camping except within the catchments of:
• Lake Albina;
• Blue Lake;
• Club Lake;
• Lake Cootapatamba; and
• Hedley Tarn;
and within 200 m of:
• The trackheads at Charlotte Pass, Crackenback Chairlift, Guthega Village and Guthega Power Station;
• The walkway from Crackenback Chairlift to Mount Kosciuszko;
• The summit of Mount Kosciuszko and Rawson Pass; and
• Where the Main Range Walk crosses the Snowy River at Foremans Crossing (immediately below Charlotte Pass).

Is this advice current? For information, many years ago I camped at all these places except Foremans Crossing, including on Blue Lake. This was in winter.

[north-north-west]

It's been the rule for quite a few years - there are signs posted up on the Main Range, at most of the access points and major passes (Rawson, Charlotte, Northcote, etc.) showing the non-camping areas, and these cover all the catchment zones for all the lakes, with a bit of a buffer. For Townsend the no-camping area goes north from the pad, including right around the summit tower and the ridgeline out to Alice Rawson.

Note, I've seen plenty of people camped 'illegally' (including myself) and never seen a ranger up there moving them on. You'd be unlucky to get caught out. But technically it's verboten.

[rM788]

many thanks for positives response @Lophophaps & North-North-West, i would love to spend nights in a place that i legally allowed and i will do my best to Not contribute any negatives impact to our nature as i am part of it as well. I would try to spend more time understanding the location you both mentioned above. BTW, how long (km/time) do i need to be in that camp location? sorry i forgot to mention that this is my first time visit mt townsend (been to blue lake, sentinel, albina thru lakes track/main range track) and would that location you think may expose to westerly wind? (i had bad experience with westerly gale years ago)
thanks again for sharing with me your experience about Kosi and surrounding.. regards

[icefest]

In general, if you pee and the water runs into a lake it's a no no. I camped to the north east.

Check the weather before leaving. If there is a high leaving or a low arriving there'll be westerly winds.

[Bluegum Mic]

This is the conditions on the range from the weekend just past. Still plenty of snow up there

[rM788]

yes i would agree with you. Thanks again for your advise @icefest.... regards

[rM788]

wow... seems i may need a snowshoe
@bluegum mic.... many thanks for showing it to me..., regards.

[icefest]

Also, some snow is forecast tonight, with windy condition persisting until thursday. Great weekend forecast though. The clear sky means it'll be cold at night and icy in the mornings.

Watch out for slush slides in the northerly facing gullies in the afternoon. Snowshoes will not grip on soft spring snow.
Southerly faces will be icy until mid-day. Be careful and don't expect to be able to self-arrest without practice.

Don't go under/over cornices.

[rM788]

yes i will Icefest.... thank u for your update and concern..., btw how do u get weather forecast for top of kosi n near surrounding.... would it be accurate?

[icefest]

I use http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/ ... casts/2209

It's good enough (and better than some others I have used) I usually plan for worse weather than is forecast.

Accuracy drops past 72 hrs.

[rM788]

ok noted... thanks once again Icefest.... hope to meet you somewhere someday up there... regards.

[icefest]

It may be some time till I get to the main range again.

Next time'll probably be for backcountry skiing or practicing mountaineering techniques with a mate - and that's a long way off.

[rM788]

all the best for your mountaineering practice Icefest.. regards.

[jeffyffej]

Hello all,

looking at heading down to do the Main Range track in about a weeks time.

Does anyone know if there is still much snow about?

Also, is there much snow melt in the rivers? e.g is the snowy river crossable without too much difficulty?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Regards
Jeff

[Mark F]

Perisher web cams provide a view of Kosciuszko, Townsend area. http://www.perisher.com.au/weather-cams/cams.html?snowcam=Xkosci&run=current It looks like there are still extensive drifts so the Snowy will be running high with snow melt. The SMA snow lines are all at zero depth. http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/water/snow-depths-calculator/

[rM788]

Hi Jeff,
i went there on 13-14 October 14, and from CP i had to go thru Summit walk instead as the river was overflow. From seaman hut to main range track still cover lots of snow, most of the track was not visible due to snow dept, i ended up walking on the sloppy n quiet slippery, i would suggest you carry a snowshoe with you. As i believe still lots of left over snow along the track.

Enjoy your hike..
regards

[wander]

For a recentish trip report look here http://forums.ski.com.au/xf/threads/blue-lake-and-carruthers-25th-26th-october.68540/

[jeffyffej]

Thanks Mark & rm788

I Tried searching for some info or river gauges but couldn't find anything unfortunately..

Wanted to walk out anti-clockwise via the loop to the Mt Townsend area so I guess if it is running high I could always do it as a return trip via the summit walk first if it is flowing high.. (even though I miss out on a few bits)

I will check it out next week and see how its flowing and if so, will just have to head the other direction.

still, If anyone has any up to date info would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Jeff

[jeffyffej]

Thanks for the link Wander!

They got through okay although I noticed he said it was "a rising snowy river"

Looks like I'll just have to suss it out on the day and see how it's going..

regards
Jeff