This Year
1
Number of Walks Ticked
30.0km
Total Distance Ticked
All Time
2
Number of Walks Ticked
60.0km
Total Distance Ticked
| Name | Date | Difficulty | Distance/Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hannel's Spur (Kosciuszko National Park) |
8 Jan, 2025 |
Very Hard |
30km 2 days |
|
| On reflection, i should add to my above comment: Bushwalking/hiking is not a race; If you want to race go to a Park Run every Saturday. When we started our uphill attempt (above) we fully expected it would take us at least six hours, probably more, based on the time taken going down the many times we had done Hannel's before. But, it turned out to be a cool, low humidity day, we knew the track well, and at the time it was well cleared ... and adequately marked. To state the obvious, aside from always having to keep and eye open for snakes, when you are going up hill you have a clearer view of where to step (as in climbing and mountaineering); when going down you have to take more time to see where you are stepping, as well as being very aware that if you slip or trip gravity can seriously exacerbate a fall of you and your pack. Even more obvious, as recent events suggest, always have a compass and good topo map with you ... as well as your personal locator beacon to activate if really needed (among other small, light essentials) ... all of which can save many others time, worry and money. But, as noted, we are all young once. | ||||
|
Hannel's Spur (Kosciuszko National Park) |
Jan, 1980 |
Very Hard |
30km 2 days |
|
| General Comment. I walked down Hannel's Spur at least a half dozen times in the 1980s, if not more, in Januarys. On this walk always with someone else and with enough to survive at least a night out if needed (once almost). I'd walk up Crackenback and meet whoever i was going with at the top (they usually took the chairlift up). However physically fit one might be, this is not a hike to be taken lightly. [Never could understand how Hannel was able to get his cattle up the steep section at the bottom. The one time i walked up it turned out to be a very cool day and to our utter amazement it only took us 2 hours to the top ... followed by the hours back to Thredbo.] These days a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) with small radius for each person is an absolute necessity (as individuals in a group can get separated and sometimes solo hike). Even when very fit, a couple of times when descending alone from the more open area down to the Crackenback River i missed the relevant tracks and - though i found a way out fairly soon - to this day still wonder how i ever made it through the seemingly impenetrable scrub. Totally exhausting. [I remain in absolute awe of the Winter skier (name omitted out of consideration for family) some years back who made it down through all of this scrub, but succumbed along the River near Thredbo.] Best to learn with experienced others, groups, but we're all young once. | ||||