Australia
7,310 feet/2229 meters
Summited October 27, 2011
7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s
About Kosciuszko
Q: Where is it
A: Known historically as Tan Gan Gil, “Kozzy” is located in Australia in New South Wales and is also a local ski area in the Kosciuszko National Park. The nearest largest city is Canberra, equidistant between Sydney and Melbourne (6-8 hour drive). Mount Kosciuszko is part of the Snowy Mountains in the Great Dividing Range. The first recorded ascent was in 1840 by Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki. Still, according to local information, it was most likely climbed (hiked) for centuries by the local First Nation people of the Monaro. It is sometimes considered the highest in Oceania, but Carstensz Pyramid holds that honor.
Q: When is it usually climbed (hiked)?
A: Due to the lack of snow, the typical climbing season is Australia’s summer ( November to May), but it can be climbed (hiked) year-round with proper equipment. From June through October, hikers should plan on dealing with snow. The summit was snow-covered for my hike in mid-October. The best time to hike Kozzie is in Australia’s summer months of December through February, but March and April, plus October and November, also offer nice weather.
Q: I understand that Kosciuszko’s is just a simple walk-up. How hard is it?
A: In winter, it can test your skills. While it can be hiked year-round, winter offers more of an alpine experience, and you will need proper clothing and gear to be safe. While not a hiking or climbing accident in 1999, four snowboarders were caught in an unexpected storm and lost their lives in a snow cave in Kozi. The group and their bodies were discovered in November after they had been missing since August. On August 14, 1928, W. Evan Hayes and W. Laurie Seaman departed Charlotte’s Pass and were never seen alive again. Finally, in 2024, in 2022, a backcountry skier, Andrew Seton, died in Kosciuszko National Park.
Q: How does Kosciuszko compare with the other 7 Summits?
A: It is the easiest of them all and very enjoyable. Kosciuszko National Park is a beautiful environment; if desired, you can enjoy all the comforts of a world-class ski resort.
Q: Is a Kosciuszko climb dangerous?
A: It can be if the weather turns on you. I have heard many stories from other 7 Summit climbers about being lost or struggling with high winds, deep snow or drifts. So, weather monitoring is essential, just like any outdoor activity.
Q: How many people had summited, and how many people had died trying?
A: It is estimated that over 100,000 people hike Kosciuszko each year. There has been a rare death in the area, mainly in the winter.
Training, Gear & Communication:
Q: How did you train for this climb?
A: This was part of my 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything® project. So, I climbed (hiked) almost continuously throughout 2010 and 2011, either in training or on the climbs. I was in excellent physical and mental condition for this climb. But I suggest the usual training regime of running, lightweight and aerobic conditioning.
Q: Was altitude a problem on this climb at 7,000′?
A: Not really, even for the people I observed walking up. However, it can always be a surprise. Many people feel that some type of AMS is above 8,000. As I mentioned, I had already climbed (hiked) seven other 7 Summits peaks in the previous 11 months, plus Carstensz four days before, so I was in excellent condition and never felt the altitude.
Q: What kind of equipment did you use?
A: I used simple trekking clothing but carried a warmth and wind layer in my pack, plus a pair of gloves and a knit hat, the same gear I used on the lower parts of Kilimanjaro.
Q: Is there anything unique in your gear for Kosciuszko?
A: Not really, just a good pair of sunglasses because I had excellent weather in mid-October with temps in the high 60sF. I would carry bug spray in the summer. But Kosciuszko can sometimes be extremely cold and windy, so multiple layers are required. My boots were the Montrail High Top and were fine for the snow-covered sections near the summit.
Q: Did you use a satellite phone?
A: I used an Iridium phone to post dispatches on this site. Cell phone connections are available.
Expedition Basics
Q: Which route is most prevalent?
A: There are two primary routes to summit Kozzie, with the most popular starting at Thredbo Alpine Village. From there, you can take the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to begin the 8-mile round trip Kosciuszko Walk, aka Summit Walk, a gain of 6,354′ to 7,310′. The “trail” is a metal walkway that protects the delicate alpine environment. The gain is a gentle 991 feet or 302 meters.
The second main route from Charlotte Pass (6,026′) is longer (11 miles round trip) and follows a dirt road. The third and least known is the Hannels Spur Track, 9.5 miles, with the largest vertical gain in Australia at 5,900 feet. It crosses Rawson’s Pass, intersecting with the Thredbo ski ascent route. The gain is 1,273 feet or 388 meters.
Thanks to reader Stewart Aickin for updating me on this route. He adds that the Hannels Spur Track was the same route that explorer Sir Paul Strzelecki climbed and ‘discovered’ Mt. Kosciusko in 1840. It is also the same route that the cattlemen once used to annually muster the cattle up from the Murray Valley to the high country (around Kosi.) to graze throughout the summer. The many indigenous tribes from the Murray Valley also used this same route annually for 1000s of years to climb Kosciuszko to feast over the summer months on the ‘delicacies’ of Bogong moths. It approaches Mt. Kosciuszko from the NW – with the trailhead near Geehi. (Geehi is a simple camping area on the Alpine Way road).
Q: How long will it take?
A: Depending on your pace and intensity, it will take a few hours. But this is one to be enjoyed, not rushed.
Q: How much does a standard climb cost with and without a guide?
A: There is an AUD 16 park entrance fee and an AUD 25 ski lift fee if you climb from Thredbo. Hotels and food are expensive in the ski resort village of Thredbo. You can hire a guide in Thredbo, which some people do in the winter. There are daily guided walks in the summer for AUD 40.
Q: Do I need a permit to climb?
A: No, only a park entrance pass bought at the park gate.
Q: Do I need a guide for Kosciuszko?
A: Only if you are trying it in some extreme conditions where you want to depend on local knowledge. Otherwise, with 100,000 people a year hiking it, you will rarely be alone, even though I was when I was on the summit for about 20 minutes.
My 2011 Experience
Q: Did you summit?
A: Yes, I reached the summit on October 27, 2011.
Q: What was the route to the summit like?
A: I took the Kosciuszko Express chair lift and followed the raised metal walkway (there to protect the tundra) that ended at the junction with the road from Charlotte Pass. In mid-October, the summit was covered with snow, so much so that in 2011, the typical dirt summit path was completely covered and inaccessible due to large cornices. So I took a direct line to the summit in the snow like the other 100 people that day. I took about an hour to cover the 4 miles to the summit, spent over an hour on top, and then about 45 minutes to return to the restaurant (Eagles Nest) at the top of the lift.
Q: What kind of weather conditions did you have?
A: It was amazingly perfect, with temperatures in the mid-60sF, a light breeze, and clear blue skies. However, the day before and after, it was cloudy and rainy!
Q: Would you climb Kosciuszko again?
A: Absolutely, if I was in the area. It is a wonderful part of Australia.
Bottom Line
Kosciuszko is located in a beautiful area. The rolling hills, mountains, and high alpine environment are very serene and peaceful—even with the crowds! Seeing so many people reach the summit and celebrate their success was fun. This was my last climb for the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything®. Sometimes, a mountain does not have to be high to be fun.
Kosciuszko Resources:
7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s
In late 2010, I launched the 7 Summits for Alzheimer’s campaign, where I wanted to climb all seven (eight) of the Seven Summits in one year. The first summit was Vinson in Antarctica on December 9th, 2010. This was the last summit on October 25, 2011. I had made every summit except Denali, which was stopped by weather, 3100′ short of the summit.
I have been able to send our Alzheimer’s message of hope, need and urgency from each continent, reaching over 12 million people and raising money for research, awareness and caregivers. In 2025, I will continue to dedicate my climbing and public presence to honoring my mom, Ida, and raising research funds for Alzheimer’s nonprofits. Please consider a donation today.
