Oz's Highest Mountain - Kosciusko Summit - Thredbo Ski Lift + Hume Hwy Magic!!

Oz's Highest Mountain - Kosciusko Summit - Thredbo Ski Lift + Hume Hwy Magic!! 20 km (Medium + Magical!)

STRICT LIMIT of 40 MEMBERS: DO NOT SIGN UP UNLESS DEFINITELY ATTENDING

At 7:30 am in the morning of Saturday 23 November, we meet in the car park of the Snowy Region Visitors Centre, which is in the centre of Jindabyne, and easy to find. From Jindabyne we drive to Thredbo, deep in the Snowy Mountains, entering Kosciusko National Park, which has an entry fee of $17. The entry fee can be paid at the fee collection booth which is halfway along the road to Thredbo.

On the outskirts of Thredbo, Members can park for free at Friday Flat car park where we will gather for the walk into Thredbo village square where we can grab coffees and a tasty treat from the village bakery! We then cross the footbridge over Thredbo River and purchase our Chairlift tickets which costs about $50 (pricing varies) and can be used all day. PLEASE BE AWARE, WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY CLOSE THE CHAIRLIFT. IF SO, I WILL RE-ROUTE OUR APPROACH TO KOZIOSKO VIA CHARLOTTE'S PASS.

We walk from Thredbo Top Station-Mount Koziosko Summit, passing the headwaters of the Snowy River and Lake Catapatoomba with a stop at Rawsons Pass to use the bathroom. We will have lunch on the Summit, before heading back to Top Station and the spectacular Chairlift ride back down to Thredbo Village. Members can then use their Chairlift tickets (they are valid for the whole day) to ride Merritt's Gondola for more spectacular views and explore Merritts Nature Track or head to the 'The Local Pub' (that's its name!) for a beer or other refreshment before heading back to Jindabyne.

On the trip back to Sydney, I encourage Members to drive via Snowy Mountains Highway/Hume Highway and consider homeward-bound stops at classic Australian country locations such as Gundagia (best meat pies in the world!), the Dog on the Tucker Box, Yass, Goulburn, MIttagong or Bowral!

Please note: I have deliberately timed this walk so we are likely to see quite a bit of snow. However, the tracks should be either clear or navigable. Given the likely conditions, members should wear good (preferably waterproof) boots.

Distance: 20 km

Type of Walk: Great natural beauty, well formed tracks through the only true Alpine eco-system in Australia. Some moderate climbs.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard, because of the altitude and we must maintain a good pace all day to finish on time

Meeting Place and Transport: Snowy Region Visitors Centre, Jindabyne. Members will have to car pool (public transport is not practicable) and should plan to arrive in Jindabyne on Friday/ Friday night to acclimatise overnight, with Mount Kosciusko summit right on the edge of possible altitude sickness.

There is a wide variety of reasonably priced accommodation in Jindabyne, ranging from back packer style all the way up to luxury bolt holes. Hotels such as Alpine Gables have large comfy rooms that sleep 4 or more people; so get chatting between yourselves and organise your car pool and a group booking.

What to bring: Good walking boots; 2 litres of water (no refills on the walk); hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; rain jacket depending on conditions; one warm (down) jacket; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

Suggested Donation: $50

Pub: The Local Pub, Thredbo

By RSVPing to this event you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here:

https://4142298.xyz/sydney-outdoors-meetup-group/messages/boards/thread/53245383

Questions? Please leave a comment below. I will post my mobile number closer to the day.

Ted :)