Mt Kosciuszko Main Range Circuit Walk in Winter

[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

[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.

[Moondog55]

Great tour f you are experienced, I would add 1 day minimum in case of weather be prepared for the wost tho

[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 13054 times

[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

[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

[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?

[Tony]

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

[wander]

Are you NSW based or Vic based?

[sef]

Whites River is rebuilt & looking pretty snazzy eh.

Jagungal from Cesjack's via Nimmo/Eucumbene is popular. Great country.

[foghornx]

Are you NSW based or Vic based?

NSW.

[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.