From
March 08, 2024 4:30 pm
until
March 11, 2024 3:30 pm
At 1800metres, Hannels Spur is the greatest vertical ascent in Australia. It is the same route that Strzelecki took as the first European to climb Kosciusko in 1840. It is 15.5km from Geehi to Mt Kosciuszko, then a further 10km from the summit to Dead Horse Gap via Cootapatamba Hut.
It takes in the entire western fall of the Snowy Mountains, climbing through the full range of vegetation from heavily-forested slopes above the Geehi and Swampy Plain Rivers to sub-alpine and alpine tracts on the top of the Main Range.
As this is a Grade 5 hike and the steepest vertical ascent in Australia, for the safety of the group, it is a prerequisite that hikers be physically fit, have successfully completed a recent multi-day hike with the club and be prepared to stay with the group and follow club rules. The group will travel together at the speed of the slowest hiker. There is no turning around and going back if the going gets too difficult as many members of the group may not be able to manage the steep descent. The only way is up. Please do some research on the difficulty of this hike before subscribing.
Day 1 - Car shuffle. 2 drivers needed, 1 car left at Dead Horse Gap, 2nd car brings the drivers back to Geehi. Depart Geehi at 4.30pm and hike 1km to Dr Forbes Hut and camp. Doctor Forbes Hut on the Swampy Plain river has no toilet, river water available (toilets available at Geehi rest area 1km away).
Day 2 - Doctor Forbes Hut to Byatt's Camp 7.5km. There is no water at Byatt's, so we collect water at Moira's Flat before we get there and walk another 2 kilometres to Byatt's camp, which will take 2 hours hiking time. Very small area available to pitch tents which is why the hike is capped at 7.
Day 3 - Byatt's Camp to Mt Kosciuszko Summit 7km, then onto Cootapatamba Hut via compass bearing 3km. This is a tiny hut with water nearby, but no toilet. Pitch tents near the hut. Hiking is a bit easier today, however the track from Byatt's Camp to the Main Range Track at Wilkinson Valley can be difficult to follow at times.
Day 4 - Hike out using a compass bearing onto the Rams Head Ridge, then navigate to the cars at Dead Horse Gap 7km & drive home.
Total distance 25.5 km
Everyone will share the costs of park entry fees plus petrol so bring cash.
GRADE 5 HIKE
Challenging long walks for experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks may be very rough, very steep and unmarked. There are no toilets or facilities for most of this hike, it is expected that you carry out all your waste with you including human waste as expected by the NSW National parks and Wildlife Service. Please be prepared for ALL weather, it is not uncommon for snow blizzards to hit in the middle of summer. Please note route may change for safety reasons if bad weather hits.
Overnight Event Packing list
Multi Day Walks
Preparation and planning for multi day walks can turn into a monumental exercise. There is no substitute for working from a list. The bottom line is to ensure that nothing crucially important is forgotten and secondly that you can actually lift the pack off the ground and attach it to your body. Thirdly its a good idea to check out if you can walk with this encumbrance!
Final details, car pooling, car shuffle etc will be emailed to all participants just prior to the event.
