Snowy Mountains in December

[Ephebus]

Here are some pictures from the mainland from a walk I did last week in the Jagungal Wilderness in the Snowy Mountains. I haven't had really any experience with SLR cameras before so it was a good learning experience, although heavy to carry.

On the way past the east side of Jagungal towards the head of the Geehi River

[Ephebus]

Sunset at the Geehi

The main range from near the Geehi

Valentines Falls looking full for this time of year

[Ephebus]

Mt Jagungal

Sunset at Dershkos Hut (took the photos a little late as a lot of the colour had gone)

[Ephebus]

[Tony]

Hi Ephibus,

Thanks for posting the pics.

I am heading toward Valentines Falls, Geehi River in two weeks time. beautifull area.

Tony

[Ephebus]

Indeed it is. The rivers were particularly full this year thanks to a late snow season, especially the falls and the Tooma river. There were still snow in pockets around the head of the Geehi and on the eastern and northern face of Jagungal which is something I had not seen before. Have you planned much for your walk?

We walked from Round Mountain past Round Mountain Hut down the Farm Ridge Fire trail past O'Keefes (which is well on its way to being rebuilt) up along the Toolong Range past east of Jagungal to camp at the fork at the head of the Geehi. We then pushed on to the pool near Tarn Bluff then up to Mawsons Hut before going to Valentine Hut and Valentine Falls. We then walked along Back Flat creek to Grey Mare Hut where we stayed the night before climbing Jagungal and staying at Dershkos Hut. We then walked out along Round Mountain fire trail to where our cars were parked. It took us about 3 and a half days though having an extra day would have been nice so we could go more slowly. It would also be nice to spend a night at Valentine Hut. This is the third time I have visited it without staying there for any longer than to have lunch.

Round Mountain Hut

Mt Jagungal with Snow on it and a lot of precarious looking clouds which intermittently hit us with hail.

O'Keefes Hut mid rebuild. They don't seem to worried about people taking stuff. Although I suppose it wouldn't exactly be Ultra light weight bushwalking for those that did.

[Tony]

Hi Ephebus,

Thanks for the trip report.

Indeed it is. The rivers were particularly full this year thanks to a late snow season, especially the falls and the Tooma river. There were still snow in pockets around the head of the Geehi and on the eastern and northern face of Jagungal which is something I had not seen before. Have you planned much for your walk?

We are planning on 3 day fly fishing on the Geehi below Valentines Falls, we are deciding whether to come in via Round Mountain or by Munyang Power Station, the distances turn out to be similar.

I stayed at O'keefes just before it burnt down, it was very basic and had some resident wildlife, we slept in tents outside, the new hut looks very nice. Valentines hut is a great hut to stay in, very cosy, the old toilet has a great view view.

Tony


Valentines Hut just after a fresh coat of paint after the 2003 fires

The view from the old toilet behind Valentines Hut.

Under a tarp at Grey Mare Hut, one of the best nights I have ever spent in the bush

[rcaffin]

Mt Jagungal, March 2008.
Summit was covered in cloud as we went up. It was not exactly fine weather. But we were enjoying it.

Mt Jagungal summit cairn

5168S.jpg (46.22 KiB) Viewed 6982 times

The amusing thing was that my wife never actually got to 'touch' the cairn: it was sheathed in ice.
Ah yes - we were both going UL, and I was wearing my KTs.

Cheers
roger