38. 2021 B. NSW Clockwise Unwinding Tour. Snowy Mountains. Porcupine Rocks and Mount Kosciuszko Walks

 We settled into our Adventist Alpine Camp a few kilometres out of Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains region for four nights of peace and tranquility away from the bustle of Jindabyne itself.  Instead, the neighbours were a menagerie of kangaroos, sheep, horses, llamas, rabbits. 

Roo ingeniously using the fence as a mirror. 

High fences to keep the wild beasts out. 

A local looking back on how Australia's national prosperity once rode on the sheep's back. 

Mechanical lawn mowing is not necessary with kangaroos, sheep and rabbits taking turns. 

The kangaroos took the fences in their stride although their random direction of travel is a real danger to motorists.  

A drive into Kosciuszko National Park to Perisher Valley lead us to the walk for the 10km return walk to Porcupine Rocks as a warm up to tomorrow's intended walk up to the top of Australia. 

Leaving Perisher Valley Ski Resort near the reservoir we headed gradually uphill. 

Hardy low scrub and trees.

No doubt ice has had an effect on this rock. 
Could this be cryofracturing in action?

Having finished lunch in the best seat in the house, Don tried his hand at embroidery, or was it needlepoint?

Now the drama of standing up without either losing a stitch or getting one. 

The view down into Thredbo Valley was obliterated by cloud rolling up.

Moments later, the cloud really moved in.

Small native flowers like edelweiss remind us the hills are alive. 

The vegetation is incredibly hardy to cope with both hot and cold conditions, harsh winds and complete snow cover for several months.

Exulting snow gum. 

Moss veiled branches of snow gums.

Trees showing a large rock who is boss. 

On completing our walk, Australia's highest resort, Charlotte Pass at 1765m  provided shelter for lunch. 

This area is completely snow covered in winter.

Year round activities with snow sports in the winter and bike riding/hiking during the off season. 

Carrol either catching butterflies or sneaking up to club a trout in a peaceful alpine setting. 
The lake is frozen for several months of the year. 

At a service at our Macquarie Life Church a few weeks ago, a chance conversation between Carrol and our friend Gertie, revealed that she was planning on hiking to the top of Mount Kosciuszko with her friend Lyn to celebrate her upcoming seventieth birthday at the same time we were planning to do the same. 

Hence here we are, and on the 17th March 2021 conquered the mountain!!

Mount Kosciuszko is Australia's highest mountain at 2,228m.  Australia has the lowest average elevation of all continents at 330m, contrasting starkly to Antarctica with an average elevation of 2,500m. 

Rugged up for a cool lift to the top, Gertie, Lyn and Carrol taking the easy way to the start of the walk. 

The chair lift takes us 560 vertical metres up from the valley floor. 

Eagles Nest for a start of the walk and drink at end. 

Cloud moved in at surprising speed.

Our trek starts at the top of the steepest part. 
From here it is just a walk in the park.
(The Kosciuszko National Park)
 

Boot cleaning to ensure no foreign soil or seeds are introduced. 

Downs and ups in order to go up. 

A beautiful day but strong wind and considerable chill factor.

Living life to the fullest before being covered by snow for months.

The steel pathway led most of the way to the top, giving an easy walk and protecting the sensitive environment. 
With a stable base, the feet felt great whilst the boots felt grate. 

The grating provided shelter from the wind whilst allowing the plants underneath to thrive.

Our summit team of Lyn, Gertie, Carrol and Don. 
Mount Kosciuszko is just above Don's left shoulder. 

We love to go a wandering along the mountain track. 

Upgrading of the track to give easier access along with eliminating steps. 

The new gradual inclining track will work around the other side of this hill avoiding possible falls on the steps 

This sign, welded to the path, will never blow away.

Cootapatamba Lake set in a harsh landscape.

The beautiful blue hues will be replaced by white in a few months. 

Viewing Kosciuszko with the track winding completely around to reduce the walking gradient. 

Getting close to the top and more importantly the toilets. 

The highest toilet block in Australia blending in with the environment. 
It was too dark inside for a selfie. 

The track leading to Charlotte Pass can be seen winding away into the distance. 

Looking more like Scotland than Australia.

The last 1.7km took on a new look with large plastic grating filled with gravel. 

Before morphing into paved rock. The track continues to weave around Kosciuszko reducing the gradient. 

The sight we have been wanting to see. 

Reaching the top of Australia with no snow, frostbite or flag to fly.

In line with National Parks guidelines about carrying enough gear for any contingency, the chap on the right appears to have brought his own toilet seat. 

The state of Victoria off in the distance. 
A state of satisfaction and hunger in the foreground. 
How many more ways can we pose, despite the different background aspects?

Our meandering path winding off over the distant range is definitely not as the crow would fly. .  

Contemplating direction of flight. 

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

The three fingers in the middle distance are snow gum trees.

The path leads down clockwise around Kosciuszko before heading down to the toilet block at the Y intersection, then off to the right over the distant hill.

True blue of the Australian bush.

Carrol notifying the world of Kosciuszko successfully being conquered.
When Edmund Hillary conquered Everest in 1953, the news shared front page news around with the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Going downhill we noted sights we had taken in on our way up. 

Endangered rocks. (See following photo and caption)

Our progress was stopped by a ranger to allow a helicopter carrying rocks to fly over our track to a  nearby path reconstruction. 
When we mentioned that there were not many rocks to choose from up here; he said we have to remember that the local rocks are endangered rocks!!

A special photo of a beautiful rock alongside our track for our geologist friend Alan!!
Could it be Pink Gneiss?

Cappuccinos, Chai Latte and Coke celebratory drinks at the Eagles Nest Café.

Thredbo village is built on steep slopes with a rabbit warren of roads linking the various buildings together. 

 Push bike safety clothing was non-existent until recent times; as  these Darth Vader fans show the latest in safety fashion.
Their bikes are hooked on behind the riders. 

Flying downhill before riding the chairlift back up again and repeating.
This rider is showing that only one foot on the pedal is necessary for the downhill.    

The Thredbo River at the valley floor confirmed our decent was over.  
Incidentally we note that Thredbo is currently on water restrictions due to recent flooding contaminating the pristine water necessitating that water be trucked in until the all clear. 

Safely back down and exhilarated from a fantastic walk on such a perfect day with wonderful folk it was off to Jindabyne for an Italian celebratory birthday dinner for Gertie and a good sleep. 

Don and Carrol later studied the statistics on some other walks/climbs we have done and compiled the following regarding altitude gain, stair cases climbed and steps taken from stats and our Fitbit watches:

Kosciuszko. NSW.      291m gain,  137 staircases,  13km, 31,000 steps. 

Bluff Knoll. WA.         719m gain. 201 staircases. 13km,  20,000 steps. 

Yosemite. USA.            975m gain. 360 staircases.  8km, 36,000 steps.

It is surprising how the correlations don't always relate directly regarding distances, elevations and steps taken. 

Other parts of the Kosciuszko National Park are calling, hence we up anchor and move to Buckenderra on the shores of Lake Eucumbene. 

Rain is starting to fall across the eastern seaboard, hence we are seeking higher ground and will sit it out until the weather lifts. 

As we sing in the mountains,  God bless and;

So long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen, Goodbye, 

Don and Carrol.