Wednesday 19/09/2018 Charlotte Pass – Mount Guthrie Circuit
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
With the forecast overnight snow not eventuating along with overcast skies and cold wind blowing together with an overnight freeze there was no reason for an early start. So after 10:00am Sue and I departed, traversing across the nearly deserted but still operating downhill slopes to Charlotte Pass. It was cold and felt like more than the forecast 40km/h headwind.
Max elevation: 1843 m
Total climbing: 444 m
Total descent: -441 m
Average speed: 5.83 km/h
Total time: 03:22:37
From Charlotte Pass we angled our way down towards the Snowy River, adjusting our route around the trees. The snow was firm but softening a little and inconsistent, not great to turn on.
Once down to the Snowy River we followed it downstream, taking in the views and capturing a few photos along the way. At least the cold wind was a little weaker down here.
Snowy River below Mount Guthrie
We managed some phone reception once we reached Spencers Creek, where turned and followed it upstream. About 500m up we had to climb into the trees in order to continue on snow. I wasn’t having much fun as the pattern on the base of my Madshus Epoch skis was reluctant to grip the snow which by now seemed to be refreezing. Sue, with identical skis, seemed to be getting much more reliable grip.
Along Spencers Creek the cold wind returned and had definitely not lost any speed as was forecast. We propped ourselves up against a snowgum on the grass for a sandwich before quickly getting the skis back on and continuing as we were getting very chilled.
After another 1.5km of gentle undulations around trees we were crossing Kosciuszko Road and followed the snow poles back towards Charlotte Pass. Even along these flats my skis were gripping poorly. The wind had still not eased or warmed and we were heading directly into it.
After crossing a snowbridge we were on the home run and back in the lodge just before 2:00pm with no intention of heading out again. Remaining cloudy all day the lack of warmth from absent direct sunlight sure made the indoors very attractive for the remainder of the day.
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