Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Solo

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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Sat 07 Apr, 2018 3:53 pm

I say right on brothers and sisters. I am all for cutting and tagging the Hannel's spur track so that it remains open to bushwalkers for many years to come. If you want to suffer by scrub bashing straight up a wall of sorts then there are plenty of places you can do that.
Last edited by paidal_chalne_vala on Sun 08 Apr, 2018 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Xplora » Sun 08 Apr, 2018 6:48 am

Tyreless wrote:Big effort by those involved and, without wanting to take anything away from them, it seems I am very much in the minority for wanting the spur to return to its natural state.


Likely you are in the minority but I would, regardless of my own view, defend your right to share yours. And thanks for doing so as it did make me review my own thoughts and the arguments of others regarding this track and tracks in general. There are a number of tracks I know which have become less popular over time and when you review why you find a number of reasons. Fire regrowth is common, and along with that fallen trees which make for obstacles to climb over. Those tracks not often used before the fire do not get the funding to clear by parks staff. Why are they not often used? Too hard maybe for the majority? For Hannels, my view was swayed by because of its historical value and that it is truly a climb to Australia's highest peaks. Also that it had been relatively passable prior to the fire. We should be mindful of your view and ensure we do not simply clear tracks so we can enjoy our pastimes or to seek a challenging walk. I am not in favour of cutting new tracks to make things easier.

My recent discussions with the local PV had some chat about tracks like Hannels and their view is that some tracks will be defined by use but some limited marking could be placed in troublesome areas on the track so those encouraged to do them by reading some random report may not fall foul if they do not possess the skills.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Mon 09 Apr, 2018 5:57 am

I did the walk this weekend and have put some updated info and pics here - viewtopic.php?f=47&t=27627
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby darsenator » Wed 05 Sep, 2018 12:21 am

I've read that some track maintenance work has being done recently (April 2018).
https://wild.com.au/featured/hannelspur-cleared-hikers/

Has anyone done the walk recently ?

I'm aiming to give it a go January/2019.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Wed 05 Sep, 2018 8:27 am

darsenator wrote:I've read that some track maintenance work has being done recently (April 2018).
https://wild.com.au/featured/hannelspur-cleared-hikers/

Has anyone done the walk recently ?

I'm aiming to give it a go January/2019.



Yeah, I did it in April just after the cutting of the upper section of the track. Here is my trip report - viewtopic.php?f=47&t=27627

Let me know if you have any questions.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby sass2012 » Wed 12 Sep, 2018 11:32 am

Hi Zapruda,

I've changed my date to doing it Mid November/2018 (too long to wait for January/2019).
Just read your posting...so took you 6.5 hours up and then 3 hours down.... (great effort).

I'll be carrying a GPS,Topo map and compass as part of my standard equipment.

Looks like a nice track to take on.....how thick was the scrub when you ventured out ?

regards
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Thu 13 Sep, 2018 7:40 am

sass2012 wrote:Hi Zapruda,

I've changed my date to doing it Mid November/2018 (too long to wait for January/2019).
Just read your posting...so took you 6.5 hours up and then 3 hours down.... (great effort).

I'll be carrying a GPS,Topo map and compass as part of my standard equipment.

Looks like a nice track to take on.....how thick was the scrub when you ventured out ?

regards


Sounds great! Keep in mind there will be some large snow drifts on the east facing slopes above the tree line well in to November. They shouldn't be a problem but may slow you down a little.

The scrub was heavy right up until Moiras flat. I generally don't mind scrub but it was quite thick on the lower sections.

The walk is great and navigation is easy. Just head up :)

Let us know how it goes.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby bauplenut » Thu 13 Sep, 2018 3:32 pm

Good post. Four of us are going to do it in first week of December, plus other walking around Main Range whilst there.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Fri 09 Nov, 2018 1:57 pm

It may be that I will ascend Hannel's spur during Easter 2019 or during Early Feb. 2019.I will get a GPS and download the co ordinates.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Fri 09 Nov, 2018 2:02 pm

Save your money on the GPS, PCV. I would take a map and download a GPS app on your smartphone. I can supply you with GPX file if you would like and help you out with the correct app.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Fri 09 Nov, 2018 9:35 pm

I don't have a smart phone. I have two tin cans and a piece of string. I have little or no interest in the latest mobile phones , ski resorts in general and scary white person food.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby crollsurf » Fri 09 Nov, 2018 9:50 pm

paidal_chalne_vala wrote:I don't have a smart phone. I have two tin cans and a piece of string. I have little or no interest in the latest mobile phones , ski resorts in general and scary white person food.
A smart phone costs about the same as a GPS. The learning curve is about the same. Plus you get a Camera and a phone. They really offer so much more than a GPS but they do burn battery if you want to track your progress. A smart phone is everything to me these days. So much so I don't bother with Topo maps for navigation anymore. The phone, a compass and my memory.

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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Fri 09 Nov, 2018 10:12 pm

paidal_chalne_vala wrote:
I don't have a smart phone. I have two tin cans and a piece of string. I have little or no interest in the latest mobile phones , ski resorts in general and scary white person food.


Sure. Your loss.

You have been offered decent advice and people’s time and this is your response? I assume your internet runs off those tin cans as well? How about instead of using these threads as your personal intentions book you participate in the conversation a bit more.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Stew63 » Sat 10 Nov, 2018 9:57 am

Just returned on Thursday from my 4th ascent of Hannel's since I first started this thread in 2017. This time I am much fitter and 15kgs lighter and managed Geehi/Byatts (return) in a day - a longish day though. :D Hannel's is now SIGNIFICANTLY 'easier' than it was before the Stage1 works back in April - but still a very good challenge in parts. Some sections of it are actually now runnable. Met a couple of adventurous Spanish people who had hitched from Wodonga, ascended and had set up at Moira's for the night.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Sat 10 Nov, 2018 10:39 am

Solid effort, Stew. Good stuff
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Mon 12 Nov, 2018 4:07 pm

Well Done Stew!
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Stew63 » Mon 12 Nov, 2018 6:28 pm

Thanks Zapruda and paidal - much appreciated :D

I have a couple of fit, trail running mates that are very keen over the next few weeks to give it a solid bash with me from Geehi -> Thredbo/DHG - it's the dang 6hr drive to/from Melbourne that's the killer - and also fitting it in with family/work. Last week I did it (solo) leaving Melbourne at 11:00pm - Geehi@5:45am - Hannel's/Byatt's (return) and arrived home in Melbourne by midnight (with a couple of catnaps on the roadside down the Hume)
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby puredingo » Tue 13 Nov, 2018 10:29 am

Mate, I'm hearing you regarding the drive. I'm hanging to get out to Kanangra walls again as it's an awesome jump off point to a lot of my favourite country....but the 4 hour drive kills me.

Not that it's a bad drive by any means bit it's just a nuisance time thief.

Anyway, well done on your effort. I'm planning on doing it soonish myself and wondering if my missus would make it?... can you compare the day with anywhere else...like maybe the Castle?
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Sat 17 Nov, 2018 8:44 am

People say that Hannel' s spur is like two Staircase spurs on Mt. Bogong , back to back. RELENTLESS. I must do it this green season!!.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby muddy99 » Wed 12 Dec, 2018 10:30 am

Just completed a 1.5 day ascent of Hannells Spur, camping at Byatts and out to Dead Horse Gap (we'd setup a car shuffle the night before from Geehi Flats - ~30mins one-way). Was totally impressed how well marked Hannells is now, there is pretty much pink tape or OTs all the way to the treeline where cairns take over. It took the 3 of us (2 over 50s and 1 young gun) about 3 hrs from Dr Forbes Hut to Moira Flat where there's good water. Another hour brings Byatts Camp and there's a lot of biv/tent options there and higher up in the Wilkinson Valley. However, we weren't prepared for the Ant-Fest. Not sure if it was the warm weather, but every piece of earth around Byatts started seething with black ants within a few seconds of something being placed on it (bit like Lake Elysia in the Labyrinth). We ended up bivvying on granite boulders above the creek. Went out for a packless explore that afternoon up to Byatts Camp Peak (2159m). The next morning took us about 2hrs to Kozi via Wilkinson Valley & Muellers Pass, 1hr back towards Thredbo, and 1hr along the beautiful alpine meadows of the Dead Horse Gap trail to the other car.
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sunset from above Byatts Camp
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Wed 12 Dec, 2018 11:18 am

Solid effort, Muddy!

The ants are par for the course this time of year. They can be relentless. They tend to disappear once you have set your tent up and night comes.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby muddy99 » Wed 12 Dec, 2018 12:28 pm

Yep, figured they would of... if only we'd had tents!!
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby rcaffin » Wed 27 Feb, 2019 7:03 pm

Resurrection ...
It sticks in my mind that there USED to be an NPWS sign (two uprights and a cross-bar) at Byatts Camp at the top of the Hannels Spur track, saying 'Hannels Spur'. Does anyone know whether this survived the fires of 2003?

Cheers
Roger
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Wed 27 Feb, 2019 7:14 pm

rcaffin wrote:Resurrection ...
It sticks in my mind that there USED to be an NPWS sign (two uprights and a cross-bar) at Byatts Camp at the top of the Hannels Spur track, saying 'Hannels Spur'. Does anyone know whether this survived the fires of 2003?

Cheers
Roger


Yep, still exists. This was April 2018.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby rcaffin » Sun 03 Mar, 2019 4:06 pm

Hiya Zap

Thanks. That has seen a few winters, hasn't it?
Delightful understatement: 'Geehi Flat 6.5 km'. :)

Cheers
Roger
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Sun 03 Mar, 2019 7:09 pm

rcaffin wrote:Hiya Zap

Thanks. That has seen a few winters, hasn't it?
Delightful understatement: 'Geehi Flat 6.5 km'. :)

Cheers
Roger


My pleasure. They don’t make em like that anymore.

I feel like you have a few irons in the fire based on some of your queries recently :)

I’m keen to hear all about this walk when you and Sue are done.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby andrewa » Sun 03 Mar, 2019 8:53 pm

Roger, when are you planning a redo of Hannels?

I’ve locked in a “long weekend” over Anzac Day plus, for this trip, and will do it with daughter 2 and 3.

A
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby rcaffin » Mon 04 Mar, 2019 6:12 pm

At this stage, just plotting and planning. Which is great fun in itself!

I do sometimes dream of going down Lady Northcote Canyon and back up Abbott Ridge to Townshend, or vice versa. We have been through the tunnel to the Opera House and then up the top half of L N C. It's a bit rough. So is the ridge.

Cheers
Roger
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby Zapruda » Wed 13 Mar, 2019 4:02 am

Looks like they have now cut the whole length of the track.
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Re: Hannels Spur - Mt. Kosciuszko - Sat. 4th Feb. 2017 - Sol

Postby paidal_chalne_vala » Thu 14 Mar, 2019 7:07 pm

I am now hatching a plan for Easter 2019.
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