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NSW Nordic Ski Club

Off the Beaten Track Notes - Khancoban And Beyond - Continuation

Laurie Bell, 1997

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From "NSW Nordic Ski Club Newsletter" issue No. 100 June 1988

Maps:

• CMA 1:50,000 Khancoban
• CMA 1:25,000 Cabramurra
• T Lamble 1:31,680 Mt Jagungal
• VMTC 1:50,000 Round Mountain.

Ian Wolfe wrote up the north-west section of the Kosciusko National Park in the November 1986 Newsletter. (Something similar was included in last month's edition of Kick & Glide - Ed). Based on a trip to the area in August 1987 certain new information has become available and the following changes to Ian's material should be noted.

1. A mini-bus service is now operated by Bob Wilkinson of Corryong - phone 060 76 1418. The bus holds ten people, service is excellen. The cost last year ( for six of us ) was $60. which worked out at $10 per head. The driver took us well past Tooma Dam and within a few kilometres of Round Mountain, putting on chains for the last few kilometres (some of us felt quite guilty about having it done for us!). A plain but substantial lunch was also provided. Extremely good value!

2. As noted in the last Newsletter, Cool Plain Hut (Ogilvie's) has been burnt down. a second hut was reported to have been destroyed in the big bushfires in January, but we do not know which it was. If going into the area be ready for surprises and CARRY TENTS!

Now for additional information.

A useful map of the area is "Round Mountain Area" sketch map by the Victorian Mountain Trails Club. It shows power lines, etc. However, it only shows watercourses, not the ridge lines, so you really need the "standard" maps of the area as well - the CMA 1:50 000 Khancoban and Tim Lamble's "Mt Jagungal and the Brassy Mountains Sketch Map", which covers part of the southern section of the area written up by Ian.

A very useful base for exploring the area is Bradley's Hut - a rest area on the Cabramurra - Tooma Dam - Khancoban road near the Manjar Fire Trail. Map reference is about 242 132 on the Khancoban Sheet. You can get to it by a hard slog from Cabramurra, dropping three or four hundred metres down to Tumut Pond No 1 in the process (and climbing up the other side!) or you can do it by bus from Khancoban. The road is well and truly snow-covered in winter. The hut has wood, toilets and water nearby, although I would not camp in it (dark, has rats of course, and maybe elephants) but is good for socialising and preparing the evening meal in relative comfort. It is very easy to find, especially when skiing in from the south.

It provides an excellent base for day trips, including:

1. Round Mountain and back

2. Cool Plain

3. Toolong Range, towards Mt Jagungal.

4. Manjar and Black Jack (Grid ref 184 178, on the Cabramurra sheet) and fire trails to the north west along the Maragle Range. There should be spectacular views down to the Tooma River from Black Jack.

5. The Tooma road towards Cabramurra.

6. Fifteen Mile Ridge, north-west towards the Tumut River.

7. Exploration of Emu Plain (immediately west of Bradley's Hut)

Most skiing in the area is through open country and/or along fire trails. (Wot - no scrub bashing? Shame! says ye Editor) The trip out to the Manjar fire tower offers magnificent views to the west - indeed, spectacular views are common in this area. The Fifteen Mile Ridge to the east of Bradley's offers extensive views of Jagungal and the Main Range in one direction, and Manjar, Black Jack, and the intervening country in the other. The Linesman's Huts on this ridge have some of the best views in the mountains, plenty of pleasant open skiing, but are in an exposed position and are really too small for camping in (also the rats are too big).

One word of caution - the Khancoban 1: 50,000 and the Cabramurra 1:25,000 maps do NOT show the most distinctive landmark in the area - a high-voltage powerline. The Kosciusko 1:100,000 and the Round Mountain Sketch Map do show it, so take the additional maps. Better still, mark it in carefully on your Khancoban and Cabramurra maps. But remember to use waterproof ink or pencil.

So, there it is - an uncrowded area with good skiing that is very easy to get to. The Club programme has an introductory easy snow camping trip to this area. Come and try it. You won't regret it! (Anyone got a sled we can borrow to bring the wine in on?)

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