Ascending the Summit

I’m am writing this from base camp.

Tomorrow I make the final push to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak on the Australian continent. Unlike Everest base camp, you don’t see as many tents and oxygen bottles here. Also, there are no sherpas. To climb Kosy, you have to carry your own gear. I didn’t bring my ice axe or my crampons, so I’ll have to improvise. They call these the Snowy Mountains after all. People have died on Kosciuszko. I won’t lie. This might be my last post. If it is, I’ll make sure to line up two weeks of daily photos for your entertainment.

Wish me luck.

Disclaimer: Most of the vertical distance covered on Mount Kosciuszko is via a ski lift. The current temperature in the area is in the 80sF (30C). I think the person who died on the summit was fat and old and had a heart attack. “Base Camp” is really an out of season ski lodge. The elevation of the Mount Kosciuszko summit is a little more than the average elevation of the entire state of Colorado.

9 thoughts on “Ascending the Summit”

  1. I just wanted to drop a note to say that I’ve really been enjoying reading your blog… it inspires me to be a better traveler, and your photos are beautiful. Keep sharing your adventures, and have fun climbing the mountain!

  2. Hmmm… Well… been nice knowing ya! Thanks for thinking of us with two weeks of picture posts. SO THOUGHTFUL! ;)

    (ps I’m joking of course)

  3. Gary, when are you going to admit that this is all an elaborate scheme to get out of finishing our gin rummy game (1990-1991)? Come back and take your whuppin’ like a man.

  4. I’m sure you are a cool dude, and hope you are having fun. But as a alpine mountaineer – your comments on “this could be my last post” when climbing Kosciuszko? Sure it COULD happen, but its more dangerous driving on the interstate in AmeriKKKa! Here, from Kosciuszko’s own tourist website: “Some 30,000 people make the trek to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko each year. Until 1974 it was possible to drive a car up there. The walk to Mount Kosciuszko is suitable for most ages and fitness levels.”

    So, good luck with that! ;-)

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