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Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 8:19 am
by foghornx
Hi
Was just after some opinions on the walking the Main Range Circuit from Guthega in winter (June\July)
Any advice on the conditions, difficuly level and experience required? Boots\snowshoes or skis?
In summer its a 3-4 days walk. What would you allocate for it in winter?
thanks
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 10:23 am
by wander
Snow shoes or skis. There will be 0.1 to 2M of snow over everything.
3 to 4 days in winter is OK for experienced snow travellers. The trail will not be visible due to snow cover so navigation skills are also required.
High possibility of low cloud or high fog along the peaks for long parts if not the whole day. This can give white conditions. Or just a lot of wind and falling snow. The weather in July is usually poor to shocking for travelling, August is better. September usually gives the most practical conditions. October is better again but snow conditions typically are in decline.
Numerous zones will have corncies or steep drop offs. These are pretty hadr to pick up in white out or short visibility.
Othwerwise it is a good ski / snow shoe tour, but not for 1st time snow wanderers.
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 2:25 pm
by Moondog55
Great tour f you are experienced, I would add 1 day minimum in case of weather be prepared for the wost tho
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 3:08 pm
by Tony
I would like to second what wander and moondog55 have written.
Below is a photo of the view from Mt Twynam in whiteout conditions, we where snow shoeing and found the navigating very difficult and in the end decided to abandoned our planned trip.

- View from Mt Twynam in a whiteout
- IMG_2312.jpg (30.43 KiB) Viewed 15127 times
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 7:40 pm
by sef
wander is all over it. Just a quick comment though to say that 3-4 days would be very, very, very casual. I'd allow however long it would take you in summer, plus another day. It's not that hard to do as a day walk, and would make a comfortable weekend for most

Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Thu 19 May, 2011 7:54 pm
by Moondog55
it is all about the weather; in good conditions a fast skier could waltz it in a day I guess, in bad weather i always expect to double the time taken (or even triple ) that is what makes winter so special
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Fri 20 May, 2011 9:24 am
by foghornx
Cheers Wander and others - great and comprehensive advice.
Any suggestions of more realistic 2-4 day winter hikes for moderately experienced hikers but with very limited snow experience?
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Fri 20 May, 2011 9:44 am
by Tony
foghornx wrote:Cheers Wander and others - great and comprehensive advice.
Any suggestions of more realistic 2-4 day winter hikes for moderately experienced hikers but with very limited snow experience?
Mt Selwyn area, toward 4 Mile Hut and Broken Dam Hut and Table Top Mountain, but better on XC skis as the snow can be a bit soft for snow shoeing.
Munyang Power Station up to Schlink Hut or Whites River Hut (if they have finished rebuilding it), Tin Hut or Mawsons hut area when a bit more confident.
Until you get experience and have tested your gear the huts are a good place to be near in case the weather turns nasty, if possible we usually stay near a hut but sleep in tents.
Tony
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Fri 20 May, 2011 11:34 am
by wander
Are you NSW based or Vic based?
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Fri 20 May, 2011 4:28 pm
by sef
Whites River is rebuilt & looking pretty snazzy eh.
Jagungal from Cesjack's via Nimmo/Eucumbene is popular. Great country.
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Sat 21 May, 2011 5:26 am
by foghornx
wander wrote:Are you NSW based or Vic based?
NSW.
Re: Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter
Posted: Tue 28 Jun, 2011 11:39 am
by sydneyhiking
Three of us walked over 30 KM on snow on June 25-26 weekend. The snowshoes are essential if you are going to walk easily and comofrtably.