24/03/1978 – 27/03/1978 Round Mountain – Mawson Hut – Jagungal circumnavigation – Mawson Hut
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participants: Ian Burns, Jenny Chapman, Steve Davies (Photos), John Graham, John Louis, Owen Manly, Kevin Mills, Jim Sligar (Leader), Dave Whitelaw
We planned to leave Wollongong for the Blue Mountains at 8:00pm on the Thursday night. After leaving Wollongong at 11:00pm, we arrived at Kosciusko National Park at about 5:30am the next morning. At some very early hour in the morning Owen’s car battery gave up the ghost and Jungles skill and talent came to the fore as he bogged the mini on the side of the road. However, the ‘Batmobile’ came to the rescue and after towing out the mini and changing batteries with Dave’s car we were on our way again.
This route was reconstructed from memory using Google Earth Pro and GPS Visualizer.
Max elevation: 2043 m
Total climbing: 2614 m
Total descent: -2614 m
Average speed: nan km/h
After a quick nap at Delaneys Hut we got up and had breakfast at about 10:30am, sorted out gear and drove on to Round Mountain. At Round Mountain there were many other walkers, obvious by the number of cars, including some eager young Wagga Venturers. The nine of us began walking about 12:00pm, heading for the Farm Ridge Track. We had lunch at a small creek near the Tumut River before climbing up to Farm Ridge. We spent the night on a nice grassed area in an old stockyard near the fallen down Farm Ridge Hut. The next day we got off to a flying start at 10:00am. We followed ridges heading towards Ces Jacks Hut, with frequent camera stops photographing dead trees, spiders, etc. We arrived at Ces Jacks Hut only after some debate had ensued about which creek the hut was on. After lunch at Ces Jacks, our leader made the firm decision – we would take off for Mawsons Hut, some rained. Mawsons Hut itself was full and tents were up all around it, so we camped up on the ridge behind the Hut.
It was Sunday morning. From his pack John Louis produced a large pink object of the egg variety, complete with red bow. The chocolate egg was duly passed around, photographic evidence being taken of the event.
Today we walked to Valentines Hut then overland to the track to Grey Mare Hut. Here we had lunch and inspected the old gold-mining relics. The afternoon was drissly and cold as we made our way along the track to the S.M.C. Hut, passing the bottom of Mt. Jagungal.
S.M.C. Hut 27/3/78
Jungle Jim at S.M.C. Hut 27/3/78
It was going to be a cold and wet night so the party stayed in the S.M.C. Hut. The nine of us fitted in reasonably well and it was dry and warm. The temperature overnight was indicated by a half-inch of ice in a frying pan left outside. We had almost circumnavigated Mt. Jagungal at this stage, so four of us who hadn’t climbed Jagungal before left our packs and climbed Jagungal (2062m) in the morning. The other five were left to walk straight back to Round Mountain, not before giving us a cheering send-off though. It took us about two and a half hours to reach the top, sign the visitors book, and return. The wind was very cold and iced the exposed side of the mountain. The views weren’t much, because of the thick fog, until we reached the bottom again, when the fog cleared and the sun almost shone.
Jagungal “The Big Bogong” 27/3/78
We started back to Round Mountain about 12:30pm. There was still a cold wind blowing, so it was more comfortable to keep moving. Hence we didn’t stop much, execpt for lunch.
John Louis, Ian, Dave & Jim resting 27/3/78
We got back about 3:30pm and didn’t waste any time in getting on our way back to the ‘Gong. We stopped for a Chinese tea in Goulburn and arrived back in Wollongong about 11:30pm.
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Great photos mate. Year I was born!
Hi Stephen. I met you at grey mare last night. It was great to chat and to have your company. However I think I left my black beanie there. If you see it can you please grab it.