2014 December: One day climb of:
- Carruthers Peak
- Mt Lee
- Mt Northcote
- Mt Clarke
- Abbott Range: wrong Byatts Camp
- Abbott Range: Byatts Camp
- Abbott Range: Abbott Peak
- Abbott Range: Mt Townsend
- Abbott Range: Alice Rawson Peak
- Mt Kosciuszko
in NSW, Australia
Prolog - A2K peaks, the 33 highest peaks in Australia
I have compiled a list of all the peaks in Australia that are 2000 meters or higher. There are 33 of them, all bunched together in Kosciuszko National Park. I am calling the list Paul Ma's A2K peaks :-)
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
2 Mt Townsend 2209 m 128 684
3 Mt Twynam 2196 m 179 716
4 Rams Head 2190 m 128 608
5 Etheridge Ridge 2180 m 140 644
6 Rams Head North 2177 m 137 618
7 Alice Rawson Peak 2167 m 132 692
8 Byatts Camp 2159 m 118 676
9 Abbott Peak 2145 m 122 678
10 Carruthers Peak 2145 m 157 698
11 Tenison Woods Knoll 2136 m 166 719
12 Mt Northcote 2131 m 146 676
13 Little Twynam 2130 m 185 711
14 Muellers Peak 2125 m 138 673
15 Mt Clarke 2110 m 154 672
16 Mt Lee 2105 m 152 688
17 Kangaroo Ridge 2077 m 182 644
18 Mt Tate 2068 m 214 760
19 Gungartan 2068 m 258 835
20 Mt Jagungal 2062 m 248 987
21 Mt Perisher 2054 m 243 697
22 Mt Stilwell 2054 m 187 659
23 South Rams Head 2052 m 116 588
24 Kerries Ridge 2050 m 262 851
25 Little Stilwell 2030 m 190 657
26 Merritts Spur 2030 m 160 626
27 Toolong Range 2025 m 258 988
28 Watsons Crags 2021 m 161 733
29 Back Perisher Mtn 2014 m 247 708
30 Mt Anton 2010 m 191 727
31 The Foxhole 2010 m 198 661
32 Mann Bluff 2005 m 208 754
33 Dicky Cooper Bogong 2003 m 232 832
How the list is compiled:
- If a peak has a name, and is 2000 meters or higher, then include the peak in the list.
- If a range/ridge/spur has a name, and its highest point is 2000 meters plus, then include the highest point.
For more information on the list, including data source, please click on this link:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/p/paul-mas-a2k-peaks.html
Today's climb: Lee Northcote Clarke & Abbott Range & Kosciuszko
Continuing my effort to climb all these A2K peaks ... Today's climb with Adam & Daniel is to:
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref Comment
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
2 Mt Townsend 2209 m 128 684 Abbott Range
7 Alice Rawson Peak 2167 m 132 692 Abbott Range
8 Byatts Camp 2159 m 118 676 Abbott Range
9 Abbott Peak 2145 m 122 678 Abbott Range
10 Carruthers Peak 2145 m 157 698
12 Mt Northcote 2131 m 146 676
wrong Byatts Camp 2110 m 116 671 Abbott Range
15 Mt Clarke 2110 m 154 672
16 Mt Lee 2105 m 152 688
Other A2K climbing trips
Scroll forward to the end of this trip report. There is a list, with links, to other A2K climbing trips that I have done.
Maps
- 1:100,000 8525 Kosciuszko
- 1:50,000 Kosciuszko Alpine Area map, 1st edition, by Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd
(Note: Byatts Camp & Abbott Peak are incorrectly placed in this edition.)
- 1:25,000 8525-2S Perisher Valley
GPS file & route
Our GPS file can be downloaded from:
GPX file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B877-h5SCJaSUDhfNlpTTGxnTGM/view?usp=sharing
In summary:
- Park car at Charlotte Pass.
- Cross Snowy River and Club Lake Creek.
- Walk on Main Range Track to Carruthers Peak (peak #1 of the day).
- Then to Mt Lee (#2).
- To Mt Northcote (#3).
- To Mt Clarke (#4).
- To Muellers Pass.
- To wrong Byatts Camp.
- To Byatts Camp (#5).
- To Abbott Peak (#6).
- To Mt Townsend (#7).
- To Alice Rawson Peak (#8).
- Back to Muellers Pass.
- To Mt Kosciuszko, last peak (#9) for the day !
- And finally, on Summit Walk back to the car at Charlotte Pass.
Timeline & Distance
06:00 0.0 km Start at Charlotte Pass carpark
07:49 5.8 km at Carruthers Peak
07:51 5.8 km leave Carruthers Peak
08:15 7.2 km at Mt Lee summit
08:25 7.2 km leave Mt Lee
08:50 8.8 km at Mt Northcote summit
09:02 8.8 km leave Mt Northcote summit
09:19 9.6 km at Mt Clarke
09:22 9.6 km leave Mt Clarke
10:07 11.7 km at Muellers Pass
11:42 14.5 km at wrong Byatts Camp
11:51 14.5 km leave wrong Byatts Camp
12:11 15.3 km at Byatts Camp
12:19 15.3 km leave Byatts Camp
12:33 15.9 km at Abbott Peak
lunch
13:07 16.0 km leave Abbott Peak
13:45 17.0 km at Mt Townsend
13:56 17.0 km leave Mt Townsend
14:31 18.0 km at Alice Rawson Peak
14:40 18.0 km leave Alice Rawson Peak
15:35 21.1 km at Muellers Pass
16:15 23.6 km at Mt Kosciuszko
16:34 23.6 km leave Mt Kosciuszko
18:52 25.3 km at Rawson Pass toilet
18:55 25.3 km leave Rawson Pass toilet
18:30 32.7 km at Charlotte Pass carpark
-------------
Total 32.7 km; 12 hr 30 min (Distance is from Google Earth.)
Pictures
1) We parked the car at Charlotte Pass and walked on the Main Range Track. This picture is taken not long after we started walking.
- The lower river is the Snowy River.
- The upper river is Club Lake Creek.
- The trail at the junction of the 2 rivers and heading towards the top of the picture is the Main Range Track.
2) Daniel crossing the Snowy River ~~~
When I was here in April 2014, the water level was higher and I needed to summon all my acrobatic skill to get across without getting my feet wet, or worse, like slipping into the river.
3) Not long after we crossed the Snowy River, we can see Hedley Tarn in the distance. It is one of only five glacial tarns in mainland Australia. The other four are Blue Lake, Club Lake, Lake Albina and Lake Cootapatamba. In today's walk, besides Hedley Tarn, we'll also get to see Blue Lake, Club Lake and Lake Albina. Lake Cootapatamba is the only one we won't see.
4) Blue Lake ~~~
In April 2014, I walked towards Blue Lake and climbed Little Twynam (the dark coloured mountain which rises on the opposite bank of Blue Lake) and Mt Twynam (the broad flat mountain on the left edge of the photo). Today, we walk in the opposite direction towards Carruthers Peak.
5) Mt Sentinel ~~~
It is not particular high, only 1905 m, but handsome looking. One day, I hope to climb it.
( PS: I climbed Mt Sentinel 3 months later. Photos and write up of the trip is in my blog: http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/sentinel-nsw-australia.html )
6) Carruthers Peak ~~~
In a moment, we'll be climbing it.
7) Daniel, Adam and I at peak #1 of the day: Carruthers Peak, 2142 m, Australia's 10th highest peak.
8) From Carruthers Peak looking at Abbott Range ~~~
- Left arrow points at Mt Townsend, 2nd highest mountain in Australia.
- Right arrow points at Alice Rawson Peak, 7th highest mountain.
Later on, we will be walking from the left, along the top, all the way to Alice Rawson Peak.
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9) At Carruthers Peak looking towards where we will soon be going ~~~
- We are heading towards Mt Lee next, right red arrow.
- Then to Mt Northcote, middle red arrow.
- Then to Mt Clarke, left red arrow
- Right blue arrow points Mt Kosciuszko, highest mountain in Australia. We will climb it today as peak #9.
- Left blue arrow points to an unnamed peak in Etheridge Ridge, 5th highest peak in Australia. The same 3 of us climbed the 2 blue arrow peaks in Nov 2014.
10) Passing Club Lake, one of only five glacial tarns in mainland Australia
11) Heading towards Mt Lee
12) Close to the summit of Mt Lee
13) At peak #2 of the day, Mt Lee summit, 2105 m ~~~
The background is Abbott Range - later on, we'll be walking along its entire ridge top.
14) At Mt Lee summit looking towards where we will soon be going ~~~
- We are heading towards Mt Northcote, right red arrow.
- Then to Mt Clarke, left red arrow.
- Right blue arrow points Mt Kosciuszko whose dark green colour is almost indistinguishable from that of Mt Northcote.
- Left blue arrow points to an unnamed peak in Etheridge Ridge.
15) We've come down from Mt Lee and passing beautiful Lake Albina, one of only five glacial tarns in mainland Australia.
16) Heading towards Mt Northcote
17) At peak #3 of the day, Mt Northcote summit, 2131 m ~~~
The mountain on the left side of the pic is Mt Kosciuszko. We will climb it today as peak #9.
18) Heading towards Mt Clarke
19) At peak #4 of the day, Mt Clarke summit, 2100 m ~~~
This summit is flat as a pancake!
The mountain on the left side of the pic is Mt Kosciuszko.
20) We've come down from Mt Clarke and heading towards Abbott Range via Muellers Pass. Shortly after passing through Muellers Pass, we come across this nice scene of Wilkinsons Creek.
21) A nice blue pool of water ~~~
- The peak at the centre of the photo is Byatts Camp.
- On its right is Abbott Peak.
But first, we head for the pyramid-shaped peak on the left side, believing wrongly that it is Byatts Camp.
22) Heading towards the wrong Byatts Camp (the middle one of the 3 peaks).
23) Heading towards the wrong Byatts Camp
24) At the wrong Byatts Camp summit ~~~
There was a trig at this summit, but it had fallen down for sometime.
The high peak near the centre of the photo is Mt Kosciuszko.
25) Cairn at top of wrong Byatts Camp ~~~
Most of the Abbott Range peaks are in view here:
- We'll head for the real Byatts Camp next, the left arrow.
- Then to Abbott Peak, right arrow.
- Then to Mt Townsend, Australia's 2nd highest mountain, the middle arrow (behind Abbott Peak).
The fourth mountain in the Abbott Range is Alice Rawson Peak. It is hidden behind Mt Townsend and cannot be seen in this pic.
26) We've come down from the wrong Byatts Camp and is now near the real Byatts Camp summit.
27) At peak #5 of the day, Byatts Camp summit, 2159 m, Australia's 8th highest peak ~~~
The red arrows from left to right are:
- Unnamed peak in Etheridge Ridge
- Mt Kosciuszko
- North Rams Head
- Rams Head
- South Rams Head
(The 3 of us climbed them all in - November 2014. Photos and write up of that trip are in http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/etheridge-ridge-kosciuszko-rams-head.html .)
- The blue arrow on the right side of the pic points to the wrong Byatts Camp which we had just climbed.
28) Next, we head for Abbott Peak, the mountain in front.
Mt Townsend, the higher mountain, is behind and to the left of Abbott Peak.
29) Close to the summit of Abbott Peak.
30) At peak #6 of the day, Abbott Peak, 2145 m, Australia's 9th highest peak ~~~
The background is where we came from:
- On the left half the pic, the middle one of the 3 humps is the wrong Byatts Camp.
- On the right half, the highest peak there is the real Byatts Camp which we had just climbed.
31) Photo taken near the top of Abbott Peak ~~~
Mt Townsend is in front. We'll first descend to the saddle, then a steep climb to the summit.
32) Almost at Mt Townsend summit, but first, need to scale up this steep cliff of rocks ! (This is the south-west side of Mt Townsend.)
33) Mt Townsend summit
34) At peak #7 of the day, Mt Townsend summit, 2209 m, Australia's 2nd highest peak ~~~
This is the 4th time I am up here. But it is the first time I climb it from the south-west side. In all the previous trips. I climbed it from the north side.
35) View from Mt Townsend summit towards the south ~~~
- The big mountain near the centre is Mt Kosciuszko.
- The close by mountain near the left edge is Muellers Peak which Ricky and I climbed in April 2011.
- In between the two is Etheridge Ridge.
36) View from Mt Townsend summit towards the north-east at Alice Rawson Peak ~~~
At the centre of the pic is a dark coloured mountain range ... Alice Rawson Peak is the high peak on the right.
37) Adam coming down a steep cliff of rocks from Mt Townsend summit (This is the north side of Mt Townsend.)
38) We've just came down this steep cliff of rocks from Mt Townsend summit.
39) Near where the previous pic was taken is this precariously poised rock - the signature rock formation of Mt Townsend.
40) Now heading to Alice Rawson Peak which is not visible here because it is behind these 2 peaks. We'll walk through the gap in the middle.
41) After passing through the gap of the previous pic, Alice Rawson Peak is now in view (the high peak on the right).
42) Alice Rawson Peak ~~~
You can see Adam climbing up the slope on the left side.
43) At peak #8 of the day, Alice Rawson Peak, 2167 m, Australia's 7th highest peak ~~~
From left to right, the arrows point to:
- Unnamed peak in Etheridge Ridge
- North Rams Head
- Mt Kosciuszko (We are heading there next.)
- Mt Townsend (We just came from there.)
- Byatts Camp (Peak #5 we climbed today.)
Abbott Peak is hidden behind Mt Townsend and hence no visible here.
44) From Alice Rawson Peak looking towards the south-east, we can see Lake Albina.
From left to right, the arrows points to:
- Mt Northcote (above Lake Albina), peak #3 we climbed today.
- Muellers Peak
- Unnamed peak in Etheridge Ridge
- North Rams Head
- Mt Kosciuszko, our next target
45) From Alice Rawson Peak looking towards the north ~~~
- Alice Rawson Peak is at the northern end of the Abbott Range. There is no higher peaks to the north.
- Near the middle of the pic is Lady Northcote Canyon through which flows Lady Northcotes Creek.
46) We've come down from Alice Rawson Peak and are on our way towards Mt Kosciuszko ... and looking at Abbott Range. It is really pleasing to see that we've walked the entire length of its ridge top.
- The peak on the left edge is the wrong Byatts Camp.
- The next high peak on its right is the real Byatts Camp; peak #5 we climbed today.
- The next peak along the range is Abbott Peak, peak #6 of the day (left hump of the 2 humps at the centre of the pic).
- The peak on the right edge is Mt Townsend, peak #7.
47) Heading towards Mt Kosciuszko ~~~
- The peak on the left edge is Muellers Peak.
- The mountain in the centre is Mt Kosciuszko.
- In between is Etheridge Ridge.
48) Near Muelllers Pass and getting close to the dome-shaped Mt Kosciuszko
49) Adam on the left and Daniel on the right at a hairpin turn to Mt Kosciuszko
50) Mt Kosciuszko summit
51) At peak #9 of the day, Mt Kosciuszko summit, 2228 m, Australia's highest mountain ~~~
I've lost count of the number of times I've been here. But it is a fitting end to today's long walk.
In the pic, I am pointing to the Abbott Range. The highest peak there is Mt Townsend.
52) I am not the only one feeling tired. Just look at Daniel. He is dead :-)
53) From Mt Kosciuszko summit looking back at the peaks we climbed today ~~~
From left to right, the arrows point to:
- The Wrong Byatts Camp
- Byatts Camp, peak #5 we climbed today
- Abbott Peak, #6
- Mt Townsend, #7
- Alice Rawson Peak, #8
- (blue arrow) Muellers Peak, which I climbed with Ricky in April 2011, not today
- Carruthers Peak, #1
- Mt Northcote, #3
Mt Lee (#2) is behind Mt Northcote, hence not visible.
Mt Clarke (#4) is further to the right of Mt Northcote, hence not in this pic.
54) Time to return to the car ~~~
You can see the trail we'll soon be walking on (from the right edge to the centre of the photo). It is called Summit Walk and will take us to our car at Charlotte Pass.
55) We are close to Charlotte Pass where our car is parked. You can see a faint trail in the middle of this pic. It was the trail we walked on first thing this morning.
From left to right, the arrows point to:
- Carruthers Peak which is the 1st peak we climbed this morning.
- Mt Twynam (3rd highest mountain in Australia) which I climbed in April 2014, not today.
- Little Twynam which I climbed together with Mt Twynam (not today).
At this time of the year, early summer, there are many interesting fauna and flora on the mountain ...
Fauna
56) A fat worm ~~~ We saw a few of these lying on the ground in the morning. Why are they out in the open, ready prey for the birds and other predators?
57) Burrowing Wolf Spider - photo taken on the way to the wrong Byatts Camp
58) Zooming onto the Burrowing Wolf Spider - the 4 tiny black dots between the 2 eyes and the mouth are also eyes !
59) A Monistria concinna (Spotted Mountain Grasshopper) at the summit of Mt Lee
- Only occurs in the Australian Snowy Mountains region.
- They can’t fly and are not strong hoppers, so cannot readily flee from predators.
- Their skins contains noxious chemicals – skinks will avoid them after a single encounter.
- They manufacture their own anti-freeze and are very cold-tolerant. Nevertheless, they like to seek sunny rocks and bare ground on which to bask and mate.
Flowers
Flowers are blooming throughout the mountain ...
60) Ken advised that this is Richea continentis (Candle Heath).
61) Ken advised that this is Richea continentis (Candle Heath). They are lovely.
62) Ken advised that this is Richea continentis (Candle Heath).
63) Billy Buttons
64) Leucochrysum albicans (Hoary Sunray)
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65) Are these Euphrasia collina (Purple Eyebright)? Please let me know.
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66) Does anyone know the name of this flower?
67) Does anyone know the name of this flower?
68) Does anyone know the name of this flower?
69) Does anyone know the name of this flower?
Other A2K climbing trips
• 2017 November
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
20 Mt Jagungal 2062 m 248 987
27 Toolong Range 2025 m 258 988
Trip report will be written up soon ... whatever that means :-)
In the mean time, if you like to know the details, contact me.
• 2017 January with AB
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
18 Mt Tate 2068 m 214 760
32 Mann Bluff 2005 m 208 754
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/mt-tate-mann-bluff-gills-knobs.html
• 2016 December with AB
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
3 Mt Twynam 2196 m 179 716
11 Tenison Woods Knoll 2136 m 166 719
28 Watsons Crags 2021 m 161 733
30 Mt Anton 2010 m 191 727
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/tenison-woods-knoll-watsons-crags.html
• 2016 December with AB & DN
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref Comment
17 Kangaroo Ridge 2077 m 182 644 Morning
21 Mt Perisher 2054 m 243 697 Afternoon
22 Mt Stilwell 2054 m 187 659 Morning
25 Little Stilwell 2030 m 190 657 Morning
28 Back Perisher Mtn 2014 m 247 708 Afternoon
31 The Foxhole 2010 m 198 661 Morning
Photos and trip reports are in my blog:
- Morning: http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/mt-stilwell-and-kangaroo-ridge.html
- Afternoon: http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/mt-perisher-back-perisher-mtn.html
• 2015 October with RZ
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
33 Dicky Cooper Bogong 2003 m 232 832
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/dicky-cooper-bogong-granite-peaks-nsw.html
• 2015 March with AB, DN & Saf
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
19 Gungartan 2068 m 258 835
24 Kerries Ridge 2050 m 262 851
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/gungartan-kerries-ridge-nsw-australia.html
• 2014 December with AB & DN
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref Comment
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
2 Mt Townsend 2209 m 128 684 Abbott Range
7 Alice Rawson Peak 2167 m 132 692 Abbott Range
8 Byatts Camp 2159 m 118 676 Abbott Range
9 Abbott Peak 2145 m 122 678 Abbott Range
10 Carruthers Peak 2145 m 157 698
12 Mt Northcote 2131 m 146 676
wrong Byatts Camp 2110 m 116 671 Abbott Range
15 Mt Clarke 2110 m 154 672
16 Mt Lee 2105 m 152 688
This trip report :-)
• 2014 November with AB & DN
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
4 Rams Head 2193 m 128 608
5 Etheridge Ridge 2180 m 140 644
6 Rams Head North 2177 m 137 618
23 South Rams Head 2052 m 116 588
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/etheridge-ridge-kosciuszko-rams-head.html
• 2014 April with DH
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
2 Mt Townsend 2209 m 128 684
3 Mt Twynam 2196 m 179 716
10 Carruthers Peak 2145 m 157 698
13 Little Twynam 2130 m 185 711
and incidentally bagging the 3 highest peaks of Australia in one day. Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/kosciuszko-townsend-twynam-carruthers.html
• 2011 April with RE
Rank Name Elev Grid Ref
1 Mt Kosciuszko 2228 m 132 647
2 Mt Townsend 2209 m 128 684
14 Muellers Peak 2125 m 138 673
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/kosciuszo-muellers-peak-townsend-nsw.html
60 and 61 is Richea continentis, a relative of the scoparia in Tasmania which is Richea scoparia, both of which are unpleasant to walk through.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ken, I've updated the blog accordingly. You must have walked all over Australia :-)
ReplyDeleteWelcome.
ReplyDeleteI invite you also to the English version of this www.mtkosciuszko.org.au website. You will find there a lot of information about the conquest of Mt Kosciuszko the highest peak of Australia, and about sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki the explorer who gave the mountain its name.
Thanks