2014 April: One day climb of
- Little Twynam
- Mt Twynam
- Carruthers Peak
- Mt Townsend
- Mt Kosciuszko
from Charlotte Pass - NSW, Australia
Prolog - A2K peaks, the 33 highest peaks in Australia
Australia doesn't have high mountains.
Nonetheless there are many ways to challenge ourselves ...
Like ... Climbing the x-number of highest peaks in y-number of days.
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
Well, I don't intend to climb all these peaks in a set number of days. I'll just climb them when I have time.
Today's climb: 3 highest peaks + Carruthers & Little Twynam
But first, let me tick off an ambition of mine for sometime ... to climb the 3 highest peaks, Kosciuszko Townsend Twynam, in one day. This is achieved today with David. As a bonus, along the way, we pass over
- Carruthers Peak, rank #10
- Little Twynam, rank #14
making it 5 peaks in one day.
David and I had planned this trip more than a month earlier. But every weekend it rained ... in fact, it rained almost every day during this period. Whatever happens to global warming which is supposed to cause the middle section of Australia to become dryer???
Today is really lucky. For most of the day, clouds surround the area we are walking but not drift over to engulf us ... wish I have this type of good fortune in lottery!
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.
Paper maps
- 1:100,000 8525 Kosciuszko
- 1:50,000 Kosciuszko Alpine Area map, 1st edition, by Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd
- 1:25,000 8525-2S Perisher Valley
The relevant part of the 1:25,000 scale map is too large to be displayed here. You can download it from:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FLu96VINoQlqb2-w5LH1CmdKKsVS5xX4/view?usp=sharing
Interactive map
In the following interactive map, you can click on the pins to obtain a description of the place. You can also zoom in to see more details (click on the small "+" icon a few times).
View Kosciuszko, Townsend, Twynam, Carruthers, Little Twynam in a larger map
GPS tracklog files & route
Our KML & GPX tracklog files can be downloaded from:
KML file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B877-h5SCJaSVmtQOTZiRlp2TlU/edit?usp=sharing
GPX file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B877-h5SCJaSeGp0dFRJZ3ZfSzg/view?usp=sharing
A map with our tracklog superimposed on it (in red, anti-clockwise direction) can be downloaded from:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FLu96VINoQlqb2-w5LH1CmdKKsVS5xX4/view?usp=sharing
In summary: It is a circuit walk ...
- Park car at Charlotte Pass.
- Walk on Main Range Track, then Blue Lake Walk to Blue Lake which is north of Charlotte Pass.
- Cross Blue Lake Creek at south-eastern tip of Blue Lake.
- Then off-track climb to Little Twynam.
- Then off-track climb to Mt Twynam.
- Then walk on track to Carruthers Peak which is south west of Mt Twynam.
- Then walk on Main Range Track to Muellers Pass (saddle point between Muellers Peak & Mt Kosciuszko).
- Take a narrow goat trail to Mt Townsend.
- Return by the same goat trail to Muellers Pass.
- Walk on Main Range Track, then Kosciuszko Walk to Mt Kosciuszko.
- To Rawson Pass.
- Follow Summit Walk back to car at Charlotte Pass.
Timeline & Distance
05:50 0.0km Leave Charlotte Pass
07:19 5.1km Arrive at Blue Lake Creek
07:24 5.1km Crossed Blue Lake Creek
08:07 6.3km Arrive at Little Twynam
08:20 6.3km Leave Little Twynam
08:48 7.0km Arrive at Mt Twynam
09:05 7.0km Leave Mt Twynam
10:10 10.9km Arrive at Carruthers Peak
10:18 10.9km Leave Carruthers Peak
11:32 15.0km Muellers Pass
12:47 17.5km Arrive at Mt Townsend
Lunch - 43 minutes
13:30 17.5km Leave Mt Townsend
15:10 22.7km Arrive at Mt kosciuszko
15:24 22.7km Leave Mt Kosciuszko
15:47 24.3km Arrive at Rawson Pass
16:01 24.3km Leave Rawson Pass
17:40 32.0km Arrive at Charlotte Pass
Total: 32km in 11hr 50min
David had a blister on his foot, otherwise we could have completed the trip around 11 hrs. But if Ricky is walking (Ricky is the guy who climbed most of the Australian State-8 peaks with me), he can easily do it in less than 9 hrs.
Pictures - Crossing Snowy River near Charlotte Pass
As it will be a long day and we intend to return to Sydney for the night, hence we are up early. At 5:50am, we start walking at Charlotte Pass along Main Range Track towards Blue Lake. It is still dark then - the sun won't rise till 6:30am
1) 06:03 Crossing the Snowy River near Charlotte Pass ~~
Usually the water level is lower and you can get across by stepping on the stones. But with the recent incessant rain in this region, the water level is quite high now. We need to summon all our acrobatic skills to get across without getting our feet wet, or worse, like slipping into the river.
To Blue Lake
2) 06:36 We are on the Main Range Track walking towards Blue Lake. The sun has just poked its head out of the horizon. Everything is bathed in this golden hue.
There are more photos of the scenery around Main Range Track ... see my blog on my climb to
Mt Sentinel:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/sentinel-nsw-australia.html
Blue Lake
3) 07:03 Blue Lake ~~ It is one of only five glacial tarns in mainland Australia. (The other four are Lake Cootapatamba, Lake Albina, Club Lake and Hedley Tarn.) When the sun is higher and shines directly on the lake, the colour of the water is beautifully blue, but not right now.
In the above pic, the large broad shaped mountain on the left side is Mt Twynam. Immediately to it right, the small pyramid-shaped mountain in Little Twynam - we are heading there next.
Crossing Blue Lake Creek
4) 07:24 Crossing Blue Lake Creek at the south-eastern tip of Blue Lake ~~
Just like crossing the Snowy River earlier on, a fair amount of deftness is required to get across without getting our feet wet, or slipping into the creek.
Climbing towards Little Twynam
5) The lake in the photo is the beautiful Blue Lake; and we are climbing in a roughly north-east direction up the slope of Little Twynam. It is steep and tires us out quickly.
(In retrospect, to make life easier, after crossing Blue Lake Creek, we could have headed directly east until we reach the top of Crummer Spur, then turn northwest and follow the ridge line to the Little Twynam peak ... less steep that way.)
6) At the end of the steep climb, Little Twynam is in sight - it is the pile of rocks at the centre of this photo.
Little Twynam Summit
7) 08:12 I'm at the top of Little Twynam - Australia's 14th highest peak at 2120 meters. The mountain behind me is Mt Twynam. we are heading there next.
Looking back at Little Twynam
8) Not long after we come down Little Twynam and head for Mt Twynam, I look back to take this photo of Little Twynam.
Mt Twynam summit
9) Mt Twynam summit is in front.
10) 08:49 David and I at the top of Mt Twynam - Australia's 3rd highest peak at 2196 meters.
11) Looking back at Little Twynam
To Carruthers Peak
09:05 We leave Mt Twynam and head for Carruthers Peak.
12) Weather-wise, we are very lucky. After coming down Mt Twynam, there is this cloud in the photo which quickly covers the mountain. The cloud is always behind us, never catches up to engulf us ... really have to thank the gods for looking after us.
13) We are now on the Main Range Track heading to Carruthers Peak, which is at the centre of this photo. Mt Townsend is the small pyramid-shaped mountain immediately to the right of Carruthers Peak.
14) A few of these red mushrooms are found in the mountain range. Does anyone know the name?
(Henry Du says it is Amanita muscaria. Let me know if it is a different species.)
At Carruthers Peak summit
15) 10:12 David and I at the top of Carruthers Peak - Australia's 10th highest peak at 2145 meters.
16) Not a bad view towards the north from Carruthers Peak.
The nearest peak a bit to the right of the centre of this pic is
Mt Sentinel. I'll climb it a year later. It is a very interesting peak to climb ... photos and write up of the trip is in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/sentinel-nsw-australia.html
17) Next target is Mt Townsend which is the small pyramid shaped mountain in the centre of the pic - it is a long way to there.
To Muellers Pass
18) We come down Carruthers Peak (the mountain not in the cloud on the right side of the photo.) The cloud is the same one as in photo #12 ... threatening to catch up with us.
19) 10:33 On the way to Mt Townsend, we pass Club Lake. As you can see, the clouds are all around us but not coming over to cover us up.
20) 10:58 We are walking on the Main Range Track, passing Lake Albina.
My original plan was to get off the Main Range Track around here; head towards the northern tip (right side of the above photo) of Lake Albina; cross the creek; then climb up the steep slope and head west towards Mt Townsend. Given the difficulty of crossing the Snowy River (photo #1) and Blue Lake Creek (Photo #4), I suddently have cold feet ... maybe it will not be easy to cross this creek. So I shelved this plan. Instead, we keep walking south-west on the Main Range Track towards Muellers Pass (the saddle between Mt Kosciuszko and Muellers Peak); then turn north, follow a narrow goat trail towards the western slope of Muellers Peak and then to Mt Townsend.
To anyone reading this blog:
- Is it easy to cross the creek that comes off the northern tip of Lake Albina without getting one's feet wet?
- Once you cross the creek, how difficult is it to climb up the slope on the west side of the creek? It looks steep from the Main Range Track. But may be it isn't that bad.
To Mt Townsend
21) After rounding Muellers Pass, we are now on a narrow goat trail to Mt Townsend. At some places, the trail is hard to find. Not to worry, there are cairns similar to the one in this photo to lead the way. Mt Townsend is near the centre of the photo.
22) Very close to Mt Townsend now.
Climb up Mt Townsend
23) 12:39 This is the signature rock formation near the Mt Townsend peak. When climbing down from its summit, you can easily lose your way. But if you keep an eye out for this rock formation, it will help to guide you down.
24) There is a rock scramble for the final ascend to the Mt Townsend summit. The photos don't show it ... it is steep, almost vertical - 90 degrees, not for the faint-hearted ... but not too hard ... well, if we can do it, so can you.
Mt Townsend summit
25) 12:45 Almost there.
26) 12:48 David and I at the top of Mt Townsend - Australia's 2nd highest peak at 2209 meters. 4 down - just one more mountain to climb for the day.
27) From Mt Townsend looking towards Mt Kosciuszko which is the highest peak in the left half of the photo.
We have lunch and a well earned rest at the summit of Mt Townsend.
To Mt Kosciuszko
At 13:30, we climb down the mountain and head for Mt Kosciuszko, the last of the 5 peaks for the day.
28) On our way to Mt Kosciuszko which is near the centre of the photo.
29) The clouds ~~ they have this strange straight line base ... and they look ominously close. Fortunately they keep their distance from us.
30) We are close to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.
Mt Kosciuszko summit
31) 15:08 The cairn marking the Kosciuszko summit is in front.
32) 15:12 We make it to the top of Mt Kosciuszko, roof of Australia - 2228 meters.
33) From Mt Kosciuszko summit looking back at Mt Townsend - it is the highest peak in the photo (near the centre).
Rawson Pass
34) Coming down Mt Kosciuszko and heading towards Rawson Pass where, in the middle of the photo, is Australia's highest toilet.
On Summit Walk back to the car
35) On the road called Summit Walk back to our car at Charlotte Pass ~~ It is very pleasing to see, at the centre of the photo, Mt Twynam and Little Twynam (on its right) ... the 2 peaks we climbed early this morning. It is a long day and we've walked a long way !
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
Photos and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/lee-northcote-clarke-abbott-range.html
•
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 3 highest peaks of Australia in one day.
This trip report :-)
•
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
