Jagungal Traverse

My first walk in the Australian Alps. Having a few days spare while in the area we chose the Jagungal Circuit in the Western aspect of Kosciusko National Park. On a whim we decided to convert the usual circuit along the Farmers Ridge, Greymare and Round Mountain Tracks into a traverse of Jagungal and were spectacularly rewarded. From O’Keefes Hut we left the track and pushed uphill through thick scrub onto the ridge and series of hillocks to the North of Jagungal proper. Once on the ridge the country became rocky easy walking alpine pasture. We found a spot to camp in the lee of some cliffs, beside a small tarn. Waking the next morning we finished the ascent in swirling mist that lifted to reveal snow covered peaks of Kosciusko to the South East. Garn gave a spine-chilling rendition of the ‘Man from Snowy River’ while we looked down on the surrounding country. We descended to the South West re-joining the well-established track.
We spent a final night beside a creek not far from the cars and made an early exit the next morning. The whole walk can be completed in two longish days. There was plenty of water along our route when we completed the walk in November.
The vegetation is dominated by the effects of the 2003 bush fires that devastated the park. The burnt gums are now bleached white by the subsequent seasons. Regrow is occurring and occasionally you come across a few trees that escape the carnage. Wild flowers were in full bloom.
Full gallery of photos here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmrrPPEh