Trip reports, stories, track notes. Multiple/large photos are OK in this forum.
Forum rules
Posting large/multiple images in this forum is OK. Please start topic titles with the name of the location or track.
For topics focussed on photos rather than the trip, please consider posting in the 'Gallery' forum instead.
This forum is for posting information about trips you have done, not for requesting information about a track or area.
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 9:15 am
On Friday 16th November, Tracey and I set out to hike Australia’s 10 highest mainland peaks, in an effort to raise much-needed funds for Bowel Group for Kids (BGK)
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/top10... and also to have fun!
After a 6 hour drive, we began from Charlottes Pass in stunning conditions, following the Main Range track down over the Snowy River. We were very relieved to not have to begin by wading through the icy cold water, and to have no accidental swims either


- At Charlottes Pass
- FBIMG_0002.JPG (68.37 KiB) Viewed 19549 times

- Crossing the Snowy River
- FBIMG_0006.JPG (117.69 KiB) Viewed 19549 times
We continued on a long uphill walk over some snow drifts and past the scenic Headley Tarn and Blue Lake. Leaving the Main Range track, we went in search of a campsite and to bag Australia’s 3rd highest peak and our 1st of the the trip, Mt Tywnam (2195 m).

- Mt Twynam 2195m
- FBIMG_0033.JPG (78.27 KiB) Viewed 19549 times

- Dinner time :)
- FBIMG_0044.JPG (158.81 KiB) Viewed 19549 times
As soon as the sun went down, were snug in our small tent for what turned out to be a very chilly and windy night. Water left in the pot froze solid overnight, and the tent was covered in a thick layer of frost (brrrr)… We gratefully scoffed breakfast in bed, but the day looked promising, and it was to be a BIG day.
to be continued....
- Attachments
-

- Frosty morning
- FBIMG_0055.JPG (106.66 KiB) Viewed 19549 times
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 9:23 am
The first peak for Saturday came early and was the easiest of the trip, Carruthers Peak (2145 m). The walk along the next section of the Main Range track was spectacular, crossing ridges in the icy wind and looking down to the lovely Lake Albina.

- Up we go...
- FBIMG_0060.JPG (61.28 KiB) Viewed 19547 times

- FBIMG_0064.JPG (64.04 KiB) Viewed 19547 times

- Lake Albina
- FBIMG_0078.JPG (96.75 KiB) Viewed 19547 times
Soon enough, we moved on to Muellers Pass and our most challenging bit of snow. We had to traverse a rather steep section where the slide down did not look at all appealing :O
Halfway across, I decided to change strategy and head up, kicking steps in the snow. Tracey thought I was nuts but it worked!!

- FBIMG_0086.JPG (61.95 KiB) Viewed 19547 times

- don't slide down......
- FBIMG_0087.JPG (81.86 KiB) Viewed 19547 times
to be continued....
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 9:46 am
We trotted down to Rawson Pass which has Australia’s highest toilet block! Utilised the facilities and added yet more clothes since we were really feeling the chill. Once again stowing the heavy packs, it was time to go up the Rams Head Range to climb Rams Head (2190 m) and Rams Head North (2177 m). Well, this is our dodgiest bit and I hope our supporters will give us a bit of leeway here. It was a little difficult telling which peaks were the highest as they are all pretty big in those parts, but we selected two likely candidates and were climbing once again. We ended up climbing huge boulders which started to get a bit death defying (especially with my dodgy shoulder), but 15 m from the summit, the storms were rolling in and it started to snow, so deciding discretion was the better part of valour, we beat a hasty retreat down to safer ground.

- Storm clouds rolling in
- FBIMG_0160.JPG (65.35 KiB) Viewed 19534 times

- FBIMG_0158.JPG (86.11 KiB) Viewed 19534 times
On the walk back I offered Tracey my lighting rod, I mean hiking stick!!! For some reason she refused…. We still had one peak to go, so we convinced our weary legs to move along back toward Rawson Pass the Unnamed peak on Etheridge Ridge (2180 m), our 10th and final peak. Upon reaching the top Tracey did her cartwheel against my OH&S advice!

- Unnnamed Peak on Etheridge Ridge 2180m
- FBIMG_0168.JPG (67.73 KiB) Viewed 19534 times
The day was ticking on so we quickly retrieved our packs and began the march back to Charlottes Pass, as the snow pelted down and the thunder rumbled. We passed some hikers heading in and we were glad to be heading out with that weather closing in. After a very long 7 km, we were back to the car, with our big drive ahead but smiles on our faces after a wonderful walk in some amazing country.

- the snow comes down
- FBIMG_0184.JPG (102.95 KiB) Viewed 19534 times

- Mission complete!
- FBIMG_0189.JPG (64.64 KiB) Viewed 19534 times
We are blessed to have such amazing friends and families who supported us in this walk and have helped us raise over $2800 for a wonderful charity, BGK, that help families of kids with bowel diseases. Finally I would like to thank Tracey who not only came along on my little mission, which I described to her as “not that tough” (ha ha), but also helped raise lots of money Thankyou.
Liz and Tracey
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 9:49 am
Looks amazing! I am suprised at how much snow is still around, I'm planning a Main Range Track hike in 3 weeks time and expected to see very little snow. Excellent job on the climbs.
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 10:47 am
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 2:54 pm
Great report! Well done, and all for good cause too.
Mon 19 Nov, 2012 4:05 pm
Thanks for the great report Lizzy.
I will be doing the same trip in four weeks (third time), I hope some more snow has melted by then.
Tony
Tue 20 Nov, 2012 11:19 am
Agree, great report. Good trip. Very envious. Must get down that way myself.
K.
Wed 21 Nov, 2012 8:18 am
Great TR Lizzy, thanks for sharing. I'm hoping to have a crack at this sometime this summer.
Wed 21 Nov, 2012 5:50 pm
Hi Lizzy - your walk report is truly sick! Prompted me to register for Bushwalk Australia to say thank you. I'll give the top 10 or so a try on 14-15 Dec. Thankfully, I have Tony and some others to hold my hand. Thanks again and I hope there's less snow for me!
Wed 21 Nov, 2012 7:18 pm
Thanks Guys,
Glad you enjoyed the report- we certainly enjoyed the trip! Yep- there was still lots of snow about- looks great but certainly makes it a little more difficult. Enjoy your trips- its a great part of Aus

Will be interested to see your pics and if any snow remains by then Tony & Jonny Boy.
Cheers
Lizzy
Mon 26 Nov, 2012 6:03 pm
The snow makes it more fun.
I did my own version of the Top 10 last time I was up there. Climbed the cairn on Kosciuszko, and then hopped onto the 9 highest boulders next to it. Much quicker and easier.
Mon 26 Nov, 2012 7:58 pm
Wonderful !
Great report and pics, well done on the fund raising.
Mon 26 Nov, 2012 9:29 pm
V nice Lizzy, always a great place to visit, particularly if you're not only going there just for yourself.
Nice TR and pix, thanks
Tue 27 Nov, 2012 12:21 pm
Good idea NNW- would have been a lot quicker

however those peaks out around Townsend were definitely worth the walk.
Cheers
Liz
Mon 21 Jan, 2013 1:38 pm
Great pics. i'm very envious!
Sat 26 Jan, 2013 9:18 pm
Hey Ladies,
thanks for the great report. A wonderful trip i will be completing in February. Just a quick question, when leaving from Charlottes Pass, is there somewhere that you can park the car and leave (relatively) safely for the 3-4 days? Thanks.
Brad
Sun 27 Jan, 2013 5:00 pm
Hey Brad,
At Charlottes Pass there is a turning circle with short term parking at the end. We just left the car parked on the side of the road a little further down. Didn't have any problems with the car. Enjoy your walk.
Liz
© Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013.