Kosciuszko

[davecambo]

Hey guys, I want to do Kosciusko peak, never done it before.

I would like to do the harder trail because I've been told the other ones are not really a challenge. I have this link - http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-an ... nsend.html

Can anyone tell me please the cost of leaving a car at the start overnight and if there is anything to watch out for. I will be doing it with a friend and staying in a goretex bivy bag, -5 sleeping bag, and a hootchie over the top - not sleeping with the friend, hiking with the friend ha ha.

Is it realistic to do it overnight. I just hiked 45km in 10 hours (six foot track) my fitness and hiking experience is high.

Cheers in advance

[walkon]

Yeah it's a good overnight walk. You can't camp in the lake catchments and exposure when on top is something to be aware of.
You never know you might get lucky

Oh yeah the cost of parking the car is like $20-30 a night from memory

[davecambo]

cheers mate. any idea how long from when you leave the car to when you reach the first camp site? I like the idea of this route as you get up in the morning and head to the summit and all the people on the easy route haven't arrived yet. no fighting for a photo im told.

dave.

[kjbeath]

Pay attention to the weather forecast, as the main range intensifies the weather so it is not a good place to be when a front comes through. Otherwise it is a great place to take in a sunset.

[DarrenM]

cheers mate. any idea how long from when you leave the car to when you reach the first camp site? I like the idea of this route as you get up in the morning and head to the summit and all the people on the easy route haven't arrived yet. no fighting for a photo im told.

dave.

You should make Townsend by early afternoon. Nice bivy spot up high, weather permitting.

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

Not sure about the hike but as for car parking costs if it is the same as the rest of KNP it is $17 per vehicle per 24 hour period from time of purchase which can be bought on the way in or if the pay station is closed they will just leave you a bill for that amount on your windscreen which you can pay on the way out or by post when you get home.Checkout the website.http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Kosciuszko-National-Park

[davecambo]

thanks everyone. ill pack warm gear in case of bad weather. my gear is good to go, ill make sure I don't get caught out.

[icefest]

Don't camp in the catchments of the alpine lakes. They are quite fragile environments and the urine/poo/food scraps/detergents we leave behind change the ecosystem there.

[eggs]

I did a trip report of a December 3 day / 2 night circuit which is almost the same as the one you link to.
The difference is that my start/finish was the top of the Thredbo chairlift, but it will give an idea of where I camped [far side of Little Twynam - and along Abbott Range Ridge towards Alice Rawson] and the area.
Having recently looked across to the area from Bogong - there will probably be less remnant snow this year.
http://new.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8494&p=112225&hilit=kosci#p112225

[north-north-west]

[pedant] You left out the z. It's Kosciuszko.[/pedant]

There are signs up there warning you which specific areas are off-limits for camping. Please heed them. This area is under enough visitor stress already.

[Solohike74]

If the weathers dodgy and you have only a Bivy, divert to Seamans Hut. I would say a real tent should be taken if dodgy weather is expected.

[Krudler]

I completed the link you posted recently. Left car at Charlotte pass around 09:30 and was back at the car just before midday the next day including going to the top of Townsend and Kosciuszko. Paid for two days to cover (as stated $17 per day).

[Lophophaps]

[pedant] You left out the z. It's Kosciuszko.[/pedant]

There are signs up there warning you which specific areas are off-limits for camping. Please heed them. This area is under enough visitor stress already.

Pedants of the world unite! My maps are so old there is no "z". Agree about the camping. I do wish it was easier to get a map that shows the proscribed camping areas. More or less, any glacial lake catchment is proscribed.

[davecambo]

Do I need chains at this time to get to Charlotte? I do have a 4wd but would rather drive the new ss

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[Lophophaps]

Do I need chains at this time to get to Charlotte? I do have a 4wd but would rather drive the new ss

Chains are mandatory in winter. The road to CP is suitable for 2WD vehicles. The summit road may be closed lower down in winter, closer to the resort. At the CP altitude you can get sub-zero temperatures at any time of the year - like yesterday, snowing - and there should be anti-freeze in the engine.

[davecambo]

The car has coolant in it. If I am doing thr two days hike am I parking at Charlotte's pass or somewhere else? Can anyone give me a specific start point please to leave the car?

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[Krudler]

Park at Charlotte pass.

https://goo.gl/maps/yTmWWBPnzD62 if you go to satellite view you can see where the cars are parked on the straight section. Where the road turns from dark to light (for the loop) pretty much indicates the area where you can't park/or its only 20 min parking. Basically dark = can park, light = can't.

When I got there luckily there was a spot one car back otherwise would have had to park a fair way back. Also on the northern side there was a spot but the shoulder was quite raised in parts so didn't go there for fear of scraping/getting stuck.

[eggs]

It is December - I wouldn't be too worried about leaving the car at Charlottes.
However, if it really worries you - park it at Thredbo and follow a circuit using the chairlift there as the start / finish point.

[davecambo]

Thankyou all for the tips, it was great. my only complaint for the entire walk would be there should be a "turn right here for Mt Townsend" as the right turn is non existent and the trail not able to be seen for about 25 meters.

we camped at the summit of Townsend which I felt was the most scenic of the two peaks, but Kosciuszko was magical also. We even had two wild horses near us for some of the journey. 3 snakes, unsure which type but they were all small.

Great hike! thanks again.

[north-north-west]

3 snakes, unsure which type but they were all small.

Most likely white-lipped whips. They're quite common in the alpine areas.