Australian School of Mountaineering
Mountaineering - Ice Climbing - Backcountry Skiing
Snow Camping - Alpine Survival
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Challenge
At 2228m (7310ft) Mount Kosciuszko is well known as Australia's highest mountain and is a keenly sought after summit objective for many visiting adventurers. While each year many climbers successfully achieve the climb to the top virtually all ascents take place in the summer season, with relatively few successful climbs being made in winter conditions. A winter ascent of Kosciuszko is a challenging trek requiring the use of snowshoes or skis. Our Mount Kosciuszko climb is a unique expedition involving travelling on snow to our high mountain basecamp, a night or two sleeping in snowcaves and living in mountaineering tents all the while positioning our team for a trek to the summit of Kosciuszko. The snowshoetrek from our basecamp to the summit is approximately 16 kms returnand will involve a classic "Alpine Start" (setting outat around 5.00am). The summit climb will be supervised and guided by Senior Mountain Guides from the Australian School of Mountaineering.
Please find below additional information, thefee includesall training, supervision, equipment issue,accommodation, food, road transport starting in Jindabyne at 08.00 on thefirst day of the challengeand ending at 14.00 on thefinal day.
Duration:3 Days
Location: Kosciuszko National Park –Main Range Region
ASM Guide to Challenge Participant Ratio:2:10 for each group
Challenge Start /End Location:Jindabyne NSW
Meeting Time: 7:00 am on the first day of the challenge
Meeting Place:ASM Challenge Base Camp (look for ASM banner and expedition tents) at the entry to Jindabyne Holiday Park directly opposite Nuggets Crossing in Jindabyne
SUMMIT CHALLENGE ROUTE OUTLINE AND TIMINGS
Day 1
Meet in Jindabyne for Team Introduction, Briefing,Equipment Issue, Personal Clothing / Gear Check - Travel By Mini Bus To Thredbo – Dead Horse Gap - Snow Safety Training - Snowshoe Training And Practice - Travel By Snowshoe To ASM Basecamp on (Approx 3 kms) - Overnight In Mountain Tents And Snowcaves
Day 2
Basecamp – Ramshead Range Route (on Snowshoes) - Rawsons Pass - Kosciuszko Summit Ascent - Kosciuszko Summit Descent - Lunch at Rawsons Pass–Ramshead Range Arrive Basecamp
Day 3
Basecamp – Dead Horse Gap By Snowshoe – Return via Mini Bus - Thredbo - Jindabyne - Arrive Jindabyne Early Afternoon
SUMMIT CHALLENGE PREPARATION NOTES
Personal Equipment Requirements: Please see Equipment and Clothing List below.
Private Transport: If you intend travelling to Jindabyne by car please ensure that anti-freeze is used in the radiator. Chains are not required for travel to Jindabyne.
Public Transport: Coaches run from Melbourne and Sydney to Jindabyne via Canberra. Contact Murrays or Greyhound coaches. Travel by air is also possible contact your travel agent for further information.
Accommodation: Should accommodation be required prior to or after the challenge, cabins, vans and tent sites are available at the Jindabyne Holiday Park (Phone 02 6456 2249). Alternatively there is a wide range of hostel, hotel, motel and lodge style accommodation available in Jindabyne and surrounding area.
Meals and Snacks: You can look forward to plenty of tasty, wholesome food! Feel free to bring along a bag of your own favourite treats to snack on at your leisure. ASM will provide catering starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance so that we can cater for you accordingly.
Physical Preparation: Some pre-challenge training such as jogging, cycling, bushwalking or skiing will go a long way in ensuring that your activity will be an enjoyable and rewarding one. You don't need to be superman but a good level of fitness is recommended. A climb of Kosciuszko in winter can be physically challenging particularly if adverse weather and snow conditions are present so be fit and be prepared!
Travel Insurance: We strongly advise that participants obtain insurance to cover any fees that may be incurred due to unforeseen cancellations, travel delays, sickness etc. Companies such as offer competitively priced travel / cancellation insurance etc.
SUMMIT CHALLENGE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS
While there appears to be a lot of equipment required to participate in these activities a careful inspection of the equipment list will reveal that most items can be readily found at home or alternatively may be borrowed free of charge from ASM depending on your size and availability.
ASM is well equipped with a stock of functional equipment so outfitting challenge participants with the right gear is rarely a problem. Our specialist mountaineering equipment has been carefully selected to suit Australian alpine conditions and is expertly maintained by our staff.
The challenge fee includes all the specialist equipment necessary for alpine safety, travel and survival. To ensure we can provide you with the equipment you need for this activity, please complete the form attached to these preparation notes and return it to us ASAP.
When preparing and packing equipment and clothing for the Mount Kosiuszko Challenge, please make every effort to keep the weight and bulk as low as possible. Remember you are the one that must carry your pack along with some other equipment and food we will be providing you with for the duration of the activity. Please ensure that you pack your spare clothing and sleeping bag in either strong plastic bags or waterproof stuff sacks.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST
‡ Snowshoes & Ski Poles
‡ Alpine Boots (rigid or semi rigid plastic mountaineering boots)
‡ Sleeping Mat (closed cell foam or Thermarest type, full length)
‡ Pack (large internal frame model 65 litres capacity)
‡Sleeping Bag (down or synthetic minimum -10ºC capability, with hood)
CLOTHING LIST
Thermal Top (synthetic or Merino wool, NOT COTTON, long sleeved)
Fleece Jacket (long sleeved)
Second Fleece Jacket or Down Jacket (If you feel the cold!)
† Jacket - Goretex or Nylon (WINDPROOF & WATERPROOF!)
Thermal Pants (waist to ankle synthetic or Merino wool NOT COTTON)
Fleece Long Pants (lightweight, mid layer)
Overpants - Goretex or Nylon (WINDPROOF & WATERPROOF!)
Wool Socks (2 or 3 pairs)
Gaiters (knee length, Goretex or Nylon, WINDPROOF & WATERPROOF!)
Thermal Inner Gloves (Thick Polypropylene or Windstopper)
Gloves (Goretex or Nylon Insulated Climbing/Skiing Gloves)
Insulated Mittens (Goretex or Nylon, WINDPROOF & WATERPROOF!)
Mittens (Wool or Fleece Mittens)
Ski Cap or Balaclava (Polarfleece or Wool)
Sun Hat
Sunglasses and Ski Goggles (special purpose lenses suitable for bright snow conditions)
PERSONAL ITEMS
Whistle (Plastic Emergency type)
Sunscreen (good supply of Factor 30)
Lip Guard (sunblock type)
Plastic Garbage Bags
Knife, Fork, Spoon
Plastic Waterbottle (1 litre Nalgene Type minimum)
Plastic Mug and Bowl (Big!)
Headlamp or Torch (with spare batteries, bulb, lightweight)
Band-aids and Tape (a dozen assorted types)
Antiseptic Solution (Betadine or similar)
Pain Relief Tablets (Disprin, Panadol, Ibuprofen)
Any Personal Medication (enough to last the trip duration plus at least 1 day reserve)
‡ ASM expects to supply these items at no charge unless participants wish to use their own.
† These items can be supplied by ASM at no charge however participants are encouraged to bring their own.
Special Discount At Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment - Katoomba Store: All Mount Kosciuszko Challenge participants are entitled to receive a 20% discount on any equipment or clothing purchased prior to their challenge departure date. Paddy Pallin are located at 166 Katoomba Street Katoomba NSW 2780. Tel 02 47824466.
Group Basecamp and Safety Equipment
The Australian School of Mountaineering will supply the following group and specialist equipment, consumables and food in sufficient quantities so as to ensure the safety and comfort of each group.
Basecamp Equipment
Group Shelter
Snow Tents
Snow Shovels
Cooking Equipment & Utensils
Lightweight Mountain Stoves
Stove Fuel
Provision For Human Waste Disposal
Portable PVC Tubes
Soap / Hand Sanitizer Gel
All Mountain Food
Main Meals
Snacks
Refreshments
First Aid Equipment
Comprehensive Remote Area Medical Kit
Navigation Equipment
Maps
Compasses
GPS
Group Safety Equipment
Signalling Equipment
Mobile Phone
UHFRadio Sets
SUMMIT CHALLENGE PREPARATION CHECKLIST
»»»»»» Please complete and email or fax this form to us as soon as possible. ««««««
Name: ______
Contact DetailsHome: ______Mobile: ______
Work: ______Email: ______
Do you have any previous outdoor experience (eg. bushwalking, camping, rockclimbing, snowboarding, skiing etc)?:
______
______
I require ASM to supply me with the following items for my course (please tick):
( ) Snowshoes & Poles
( ) Alpine Boots *
( ) Pack
( ) Waterproof Jacket
( ) Sleeping Bag
( ) Sleeping Mat
*My boot size is: ______
Please note all the above equipment is supplied without charge.
I am travelling to Jindabyne by car / bus / train / plane.
I will be arriving at Jindabyne on the ____/____/____ at _____ am / pm.
Special dietary requirements: none / yes (please state ______)
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL OF MOUNTAINEERING
166 Katoomba Street Katoomba NSW 2780 Australia
Ph: (02) 4782 2014 Fax: (02) 4782 5787 E-mail: Web: asmguides.com