We always look to different adventures inbetween our winter seasons. Recently we volunteered at a Kosciuszko Huts Association O’Keefes Hut workparty. O’Keefes is a remote hut in the Jagungal Wilderness with a long history, and we had the unique experience of accessing it by 4WD from Eucumbene Cove with a load of tools, maintenance equipment and 3 days of supplies.
Running Alpine Access keeps us in touch with the local backcountry community in NSW and Victoria but these few days had us spending time with a group of skiers of the skinny ski variety who have many decades of experience in the Kosciuszko NP backcountry. Their knowledge of the mountains, the huts and the history was impressive. Our two nights round the campfire were filled with their inspiring stories of adventures from 30+ years ago on the Main Range.
You might think that the remote O’Keefe’s Hut wouldn’t see many visitors. You would be wrong. During our three days we welcomed and farewelled a passing parade of hikers. A group of three from Cootamundra arrived early morning, having started a few days prior from Dead Horse Gap. Their goal was to reach Kiandra by nightfall (guys if you’re reading this, did you get there?). A young couple turned up, a mountain biker, and on our last evening a large school group appeared out of the dark. They were doing the Jagungal Circuit, starting and finishing at Round Mountain Hut in the far north of the Park.
Climbing Jagungal (Big Bogong) was to be our reward for working on the hut, and indeed it rewarded us in spades. This seemingly elusive mountain in the northern end of the park is often viewed from the Main Range but for most the distance makes the journey too far. To view that peak up close and stand on the top, even without snow, was special and will have new meaning when next winter we gaze across the Rolling Grounds towards it.
