Remember to pack...
I've hiked in the Kosciuszko area on a number of occassions and no matter what time of the year I've been, the weather is always unpredictable.
It can be sunny one day, blowing a hurricane on another, and raining, sleeting or snowing on the third. It is imperative that you are well prepared for the worst conditions which may arise.
I've created a list below of the gear I've generally packed on any extended overnight hike:
| Clothing |
Change of socks for each day
Change of underwear for each day
One additional change of socks & underwear
Thermal underwear (bottom and top)
Windproof/waterproof jacket
Windproof/waterproof pants
Trousers (convertable to shorts)
Two short sleave shirts (you can dry one while wearing the other)
Fleecy jumper
Gloves/mittens
Beanie
Sunvisor
Sunglasses
Solid walking boots (ankle-high, waterproof are ideal)
Sunscreen
| Food & Cooking |
Gas stove & fuel (no open fires permitted)
Trangia or other cooking pots
Matches/lighter
Spoon
Pocket knife
Water bottles (we carried 3 litres of water per person)
3 meals per day (Salt & Pepper will help everything taste better)
Snacks (chocolate, nuts, dried fruit)
Scourer to clean
Plastic bags to carry your trash out
| Camping & Sleeping |
3-4 season tent
Sleeping bag suitable for conditions (it will get below zero even in summer)
Thermarest or sleeping matt
Torch
Toilet paper
Plastic spade to dispose of human waste (see notes below)
| Survial |
Mobile phone (not all networks will have coverage)
Compass
Whistle
Illumination stick
Watch
Topographic Map (Mount Kosciuskzo 8525-II & III)
First aid kit
| My bag is too light... |
Down Jacket
Camera
Pack of cards
Book
Altimeter/Themometer watch
| Waste |
The absolute best way to ruin the camping experience of those who come after you is to leave your shit behind after you (literally and metaphorically). I don't know how many times I've discovered an ideal camp/eating site only to find garbage lying around. Food scrapes will take months to decompose. Rubbish and other human waste buried in the snow will only re-appear as soon as the snow melts. Ideally, everything you carry in you should carry out (especially if it's not going to decompose). If you just can't stand the thought of carrying your own crap out with you then ensure you bury it. Anything buried should be in a hole at least 15cm deep and at least 50metres from any water source. Remember, whatever you leave behind, other people are going to find.
Useful Contacts
| Weather |
Australian Bureau Meteorology -Snowy Mountains
Thredbo Top Station - Weather Station
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. High | 19° |
18.5° |
16° |
12° |
8° |
4° |
2.5° |
3.5° |
6° |
10° |
14° |
16° |
| Avg. Low | 6° |
5° |
3° |
0° |
-1.5° |
-3.5° |
-5° |
-4° |
-2° |
0° |
2° |
4° |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 97 |
73 |
114 |
98 |
131 |
168 |
186 |
235 |
229 |
173 |
136 |
91 |
(weather measured at Perisher Valley ~13.6km away)
Temperature Converter (www.unitconversion.org)
| Fees |
There are two fees which you may need to pay in order to climb the Aussie10.
1. National Park Entry Fee
Must be paid per person or per vehicle.
Check here for the most up-to-date entry fees.
2. Chairlift Fees
If you plan on using the Thredbo chairlift and start from the top of Thredbo, you will need to pay a one-way chairlift fee.
Check here for the most up-to-date lift fees.
| National Parks & Wildlife |
| Australian Topographic Maps |
