Peak 7 – Australia: Mount Kosciuszko

Walk to the Summit

Mount Kosciuszko is mainland Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228 meters (7,310 ft) above sea level. It’s located within the Kosciuszko National Park, and from the ski town in Thredbo Village it’s only a 13 km return walk to the summit.

I say “walk” because it cannot really be considered a hike. There is a really nice path and a great summit rock at the top.

It’s on the Bass version of the 7 Summits list, therefore I had to do it.

My husband Steve and I combined it with a short visit to Australia. We first stopped in Sydney, took in the sites, and explored the city. We then drove to Thredbo where we stayed a night in the ski village, so I could “climb” Kosciuszko.

Early on November 16, 2019, local time, I got ready. I prepared my water bottle, snack, camera, phone, and my flags, and headed up the empty ski hill.

You can also take the chairlift, making the summit day even shorter but the lift didn’t start operating until 8:30 am and I honestly wanted to hike/walk all of Kosciuszko. Afterall, it’s the only peak in the 7 Summits series you can do within a few short hours, and without the need for acclimatization!

On my way to the Summit, I could see no one was on the peak. It felt great. It is not everyday that you can have a Summit peak to yourself or can complete a solo “climb” of one of the 7 Summits!

When I reached the top, I set-up my tripod, took selfies and then facetimed my grandkids – Ethan and Julia. Again, it’s not everyday you can facetime your grandkids from the summit of one of the 7 Summits.

Twenty (20) minutes later, on my way down, Steve was coming up and he too went for his solo summit of Kosciuszko. Steve had taken the chairlift up and then, since he was there, decided to go to the Summit on his own as well! 

This was my 7th Summit. Mr. Bass believes this is one of the 7 Summits in the 7 Summits of the World. Mr. Messner on the other hand, believes it’s the Carstensz Pyramid.

To avoid any question that I completed the 7 Summits, I have done both versions. For the record though, Carstensz and Kosciuszko do not have similarities!

Well on to Everest now for my last Peak. At least everyone agrees about Everest.