Key Features
Enjoy a wilderness snowshoeing experience.
Learn winter backcountry skills from seasoned experts.
Take in sunrises & sunsets over snow-covered mountains.
Visit historic alpine huts.
Walk amongst famous Australian snow gums.
Highlights & Itinerary
- Summit Mt Jagungal (2061m) and Mt Gungartan (2068m), Australia's northernmost 2000m peaks.
- Navigate off-track across the remote Kerries ridgeline.
- Visit historic alpine huts, including Mawsons, Valentines and Whites River.
- Explore the Snowy Mountains in winter using snowshoes.
- Enjoy panoramic winter views across the High Country.
The Day Before: Preparation Session
We meet the afternoon before our hike to distribute gear and perform a final equipment check. This ‘shakedown’ ensures your safety and comfort, while giving you the chance to learn systems refined over 40,000km of hiking. We use this time to fine-tune your setup, ensuring a smooth start to Day 1 and the best possible outcome for your trip.
Note: If you prefer to use your own hiking gear, please bring it along. We are required to inspect all equipment to ensure it meets our safety standards.
Day 1: Guthega Power Station to Whites River Hut, 8.65km (+501m, -118m)
We’ll begin our journey in Canberra with a 2.5 hour drive to Guthega Power Station, passing through the alpine towns of Cooma and Jindabyne along the way.
Following Schlink Pass Road, we’ll walk through canopies of twisted snow gums as we gradually ascend into the high country. Along the way, we’ll stop at Horse Camp Hut for lunch. Originally constructed in the 1930s as a stockman’s shelter, it was modified in the 1950s to serve as a base for horseback surveyors working on the early Snowy Scheme.
Continuing along Horse Camp Aqueduct Trail, we’ll trace the path of a historic 1950s pipeline originally built to capture alpine snowmelt for the region’s power grid.
We’ll arrive at Whites River Hut mid-afternoon, where we’ll set up our tents for the night. Originally a 1934 sheep grazing shelter, this historic hut became a basecamp for early winter explorers venturing into the high country. Later, we’ll enjoy hot drinks and dinner, nestled at the base of the highest mountains in Australia.
Meals provided: Lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 2: Whites River Hut to Mawsons Hut (via Valentine Hut), 13.3km (+500m, -401m)
We’ll begin Day 2 with a short climb to Schlink Pass, named after Dr Herbert Schlink, who pioneered the first ski tour from Kiandra to Kosciuszko in 1927. From there, we’ll continue toward Schlink Hut, built in 1960 to service Australia’s highest powerline.
Following the Australian Alps Walking Track, we’ll make our way along Valentine Trail to Valentine Hut. Built in 1955 by Snowy Mountains Authority hydrologists, its striking red exterior with white hearts stands out vibrantly against the snow-covered plains.
After a well-earned break and a hot drink inside the hut, we’ll leave the trail and forge our own track heading toward Mawsons Hut. Built in 1931 as a shelter for stockmen tending 10,000 sheep, this historic iron hut is a favourite among backcountry winter travellers and offers stunning views of Mt Jagungal.
Once camp is set up, we’ll spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the peaceful scenery around us.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Days 3: Mawsons Hut to Mt Jagungal, 10.6km (+390m, -390m)
We’ll leave Mawsons Hut and make our way across the open alpine country towards Mt Jagungal. The walking is off-track, with broad terrain, prominent landmarks, and river crossings providing a good opportunity to practise winter backcountry navigation.
Our goal is to reach the base of Mt Jagungal, where we’ll set up camp for the night. Weather and conditions permitting, we’ll then make our summit attempt in the afternoon.
Mt Jagungal rises to 2061 metres and is the seventh-highest mountain in Australia. From the summit, there are sweeping 360-degree views across the high country, and on a clear day the Main Range may be visible in the distance.
After enjoying the summit, we’ll return to camp at the base of the mountain for the night.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Days 4: Mt Jagungal to Mawsons Hut, 7.6km (+125m, -125m)
After breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and begin our journey back to Mawsons Hut.
Rather than retracing our exact approach route, we’ll take a different line through the alpine landscape, passing Tarn Bluff and Cup and Saucer Hill along the way. This gives us a fresh perspective on the area and another chance to consolidate navigation skills in open winter terrain.
The aim for the day is to return steadily to Mawsons Hut, completing our Mt Jagungal circuit and settling back in after two days in one of the most remote and impressive parts of the Australian high country.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 5: Mawsons Hut to Schlink Hut (via Mt Gungartan), 12.1km (+489m, -522m)
Departing Mawsons Hut, we’ll head south, enjoying some beautiful ridge walking as we make our way toward Gungartan Pass. With no set tracks to follow across this wide-open winter expanse, it’s another great place to practice your backcountry navigation skills alongside your guides.
Arriving at the pass, we’ll have the opportunity to take a detour to summit Mt Gungartan (2,068m), the highest peak on mainland Australia outside the Main Range. On clear days, the summit offers great views back towards Mt Jagungal, as well as into the valley below.
After descending from the summit, we’ll make our way to Schlink Hut to set up camp for the night. Once settled, we’ll prepare a well-earned hot dinner and round out the evening with some warm drinks.
Optional side trips:
- Mt Gungartan, 2.2km return
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch & snacks
Day 6: Schlink Hut to Guthega Power Station, 11.5km (+162m, -610m)
On our final day, we’ll follow Schlink Pass Road past Whites River Hut, gradually descending toward Guthega Power Station. Along the way, we’ll walk through canopies of snow-covered snow gums as we descend down from the mountains.
We’ll continue along Horse Camp Aqueduct Trail, stopping for lunch at Horse Camp Hut. From here we’ll finish our descent down to Guthega Power Station, before hopping onto the bus for the journey home.
Along the way, we’ll stop in Jindabyne for the opportunity to grab a well-earned hot meal before continuing back to Canberra.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch & snacks
Note: The listed itinerary is a guide. Due to many circumstances including those beyond our control (e.g. weather, park closures etc.), the route may need to be altered and/or side trips not offered.
Weather
Below is the average temperature for this region, where the shaded area highlights the range expected 80% of the time.
Inclusions
- World-class ultralight winter hiking gear & clothing (total pack weight ~15kg).
- All meals, snacks, and hot drinks (excludes breakfast on day 1 and dinner on the final day).
- Two world-class guides.
- Return transport from/to Canberra.
- Extensive preparation package, including a detailed packing list document and video.
- Small group size of max 10 people with 2 guides (5:1 guest-to-guide ratio).
Gear & Clothing
Every trip includes access to our signature Winter Ultralight Comfort System™. We equip you with premium, state-of-the-art winter gear and clothing, including waterproof overboots to keep your feet warm. You just need to bring your normal walking shoes (e.g. trail runners or boots) and the clothes on your back!
This kit is what we personally use on our own trips. Valued at $7,000, this setup is expertly curated to be exceptionally lightweight without compromising on comfort, warmth or safety.
The Weight Breakdown:
- Gear: 5.5kg
- Clothing: 2kg
This brings your pack weight to 7.5kg (without food, water or consumables). This assumes you are sharing a 2-person tent; if you’d prefer to carry the full 2-person tent yourself, your pack weight will be 1.2kg heavier.
Food
We provide all meals, snacks and hot drinks, excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day. Breakfast and dinners are hot meals, cooked and enjoyed whilst relaxing at camp. Lunches and snacks will be eaten during breaks throughout the day.
We work with a local freeze-drying company in Canberra to bring you delicious and nutritious meals in the backcountry. Freeze-drying is preferable to dehydrating food because of the improved taste, texture and nutrient preservation.
All of the meals we prepare are designed as part of our nutrition program to ensure you are well nourished and maintain high energy levels for the duration of the trip.
We cater for nearly all dietary requirements. This includes vegetarian, vegan, lactose free, gluten free (including coeliac) and general allergies. If you are unsure whether we will be able to cater for your needs, please contact us and we will chat about your options!
What Makes Us Different
We provide the most supportive and all-inclusive multi-day hiking trips in Australia. We are industry leaders by providing the best gear, world-class guides, top quality food, intimate group sizes, detailed preparation support and extensive opportunities for skill development.
The table below compares our trips to similar tent-based guided hikes.
| Our Trips | Similar Trips | |
|---|---|---|
| Provided Gear | All gear & outer layer clothing included. No additional hire fees. | Either not provided, only some items provided, or has an extra hire fee. |
| Gear Quality | Modern and lightweight. We aim to keep your pack under 15kg for nearly the entire trip. | Usually outdated, heavy gear with pack weight sometimes over 25kg. |
| Guides | 2 full-time, world-class guides, always walking with the group. | Sometimes one guide. If there are two guides, one is often driving the bus or not walking with the group. |
| Provided Food | All food provided, including snacks and hot drinks. | Not always provided or comes at an additional expense. |
| Food Quality | We always make our own meals. We use freeze-dried ingredients for increased taste, texture, and nutrition. | Often dehydrated meals from a packet. |
| Group Size | Maximum group size of 10, with an industry-leading guide-to-guest ratio of 1:5. | Frequently 10+ group size with only one walking guide (ratio of 1:10). |
| Wilderness Immersion | Optional daily mindfulness exercises to engage with the natural environment. | Guided mindfulness sessions are rarely included. |
| Preparation Support | Detailed preparation package with clothing, training, footwear, and blister prevention suggestions. | Usually only a simple packing list. |
| Skill Development | Strong focus on education and skill development for those who are interested. | Typically less focused on skill development. |
Reviews
Browse our verified Google reviews to see what others are saying about our trips.
Trip Dates
Reserve your spot and lock in the current trip price with a $99 deposit. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like a personalised payment plan.
Note: Trip prices vary to account for our awesome guides working on weekends and public holidays!
$99 deposit and payment plans
We offer a flexible range of payment plans, allowing you to split your payment into monthly instalments at no additional cost.
Price-lock guarantee
Secure today’s price by locking in your $99 deposit. This protects your booking from future price changes, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
$99 deposit and payment plans
We offer a flexible range of payment plans, allowing you to split your payment into monthly instalments at no additional cost.
Price-lock guarantee
Secure today’s price by locking in your $99 deposit. This protects your booking from future price changes, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
Check out our trip calendar for a visual overview of all upcoming hikes!
Health & Insurance Requirements
Medical Clearances
Your safety is our top priority. We reserve the right to request a medical clearance from any participant if there are concerns about specific health conditions or fitness levels.
Insurance Requirements
All participants are required to have adequate insurance that covers medical evacuation by air, land, or sea. Please note that Medicare does not cover ambulance services. This cover is typically in the form of ambulance cover, which is normally included in a general private health policy and can cost as little as $50 per year separately. Any evacuation deemed necessary by the guides will be the financial responsibility of the guest.
It is also recommended that you have travel insurance that covers potential losses, damages, or injuries, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
Note that The Adventure Gene’s cancellation fees apply and cannot be waived.
FAQs
What level of fitness and experience is required for this trip?
Previous snowshoeing/snow camping experience is not required for this trip. However, it is recommended that you have some 3 season hiking and camping experience. Our guides are experts and can teach you everything you need to know.
We provide you with all the information you need to prepare for the trip. However, it is essential that you have the required level of fitness and a willingness to learn. You need the fitness required to carry a ~15kg pack for extended periods of time and for multiple days in a row. This includes walking through snow, off-trail and up and down steep terrain.
We recommend that all participants engage in regular weekly aerobic activity 3+ times per week. This could include activities such as hiking, cycling, swimming, running, or a team sport with lots of activity (e.g. soccer, AFL, rugby, basketball). Walking on flat concrete paths is not adequate preparation for this trip.
How difficult is this trip and how fast do we walk?
Compared to our summer trips, we rate this tour as moderate to challenging. The level of fitness required for this trips is slightly higher than our summer trips.
You can see the distance and elevation details in the table below:
Trip statistics (without side trips)
| Average | Minimum | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 10.8 | 8.0 | 12.1 |
| Elevation gain (m) | 407 | 570 | 144 |
Daily walking times are generally between 4-8 hours.
If you are unsure whether this trip is appropriate for you, please contact us. We are more than happy to have a chat and answer any questions you have. We support all our guests in preparing for their trip.
What if I am too slow?
It’s very common to be concerned about being too slow, or the slowest in the group.
Our trips are designed to be achievable and enjoyable – not a race. There is time for plenty of photos and breaks! Additionally, with small groups and 2 guides, we are able to cater to a wide range of paces, ensuring everyone feels supported.
How much weight will I need to carry?
We estimate your pack weight will be ~15kg. The gear and clothing we provide weighs approximately 7.5kg. This leaves personal items, food and water making up the rest of the weight. This assumes you are sharing a 2-person tent; if you’d prefer to carry the full 2-person tent yourself, your pack weight will be 1.2kg heavier.
Food
We have a 6 day food carry for this trip. This equates to roughly 5kg of food per person.
Water
Water is generally readily available in this region. It is uncommon to carry more than 2L of water.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
We are experienced in catering for a wide range of dietary requirements, provided you let us know in advance. If we are unable to cater for your dietary needs, we will contact you and find an alternative solution.
When does the trip start and finish?
The trip starts at 7am on Day 1, the date listed on the website and in your booking confirmation email.
Expect to be dropped back here at around 6-7pm on the final day, although delays can occur and we do not recommend booking a flight for that evening.
Note: The compulsory preparation session occurs at 12PM the day before the trip starts, at Unit 3, 1 Tooth Street Mitchell. We offer a complementary shuttle service from the trip pickup location (see below) to the gear check at 11:45AM.
What is the trip pickup and drop-off location?
The trip starts and finishes at 20 Genge St, Canberra, 2601.
When and where is the preparation session?
The preparation session occurs at 12PM on Day 0, the day before the trip starts, at 3/1 Tooth St, Mitchell, ACT, 2611.
We provide a complimentary shuttle service between the trip start location (see above) and the preparation session on Day 0. The shuttle leaves for the preparation session at 11:45AM. It will return after the preparation session is complete, which normally takes around 4 hours.
Do I need accommodation before and after the trip?
You will need accommodation for the night before the trip starts as we have our gear check at 12PM the afternoon of Day 0.
Additionally, we highly recommend booking accommodation for the final night of the trip, as we cannot guarantee the time we will return to Canberra for flights.
Where should I stay in Canberra?
The trip starts and finishes at 20 Genge St, Canberra, 2601. There are many options for accommodation near here to suit a wide variety of budgets.
What should I do with my luggage?
If you have luggage, we recommend that you arrange to leave it at the accommodation you are staying at the night before the trip.
Where can I leave my car if I drive to Canberra?
Depending on your accommodation plans you have two options.
1) Leave your car at your accommodation.
If you are booking accommodation, you can contact your hotel to discuss whether they would be happy for you to leave your car with them during the trip.
We have an agreement with the Canberra Rex Hotel to store your car for free for the duration of your hike, provided you stay with them before and after the trip. They will be able to keep your car across the road in their overflow carpark (outside, not undercover) whilst you are away. However, you should call them to confirm they can do this for the dates you are looking at.
2) Park near the pick up location.
If you aren’t booking accommodation or don’t want to leave your car there, you can drive to the pick up location and leave your cark in a nearby carpark.
Please see the map below for parking options and the pickup point.
What do I need to bring?
We provide all the winter gear and outer-layer clothing. This includes (but is not limited to) tents, sleeping bags, hiking packs, hiking poles, down jackets, down pants, snowshoes and fleece layers.
The only things you need to bring are your base layers and personal items:
- Long-sleeve shirt and hiking pants
- Your normal walking shoes (either trail runners or hiking boots)
- Socks and underwear
- A hat and sunglasses
You can read more about our Winter Ultralight Comfort System™ here.
Will I be cold?
All trips include access to our Winter Ultralight Comfort System™. Designed by experts and curated from manufacturers around the world, this premium gear and clothing package is designed to keep you safe, warm, dry and happy in the mountains!
Our setup features double-walled winter tents, -18°C sleeping bags, and -20°C sleeping mats. We also supply fleece layers, down jackets, down pants, down booties, and waterproof overboots for your shoes to keep the snow out. This keeps the vast majority of hikers warm, but we have extra layers ready if you tend to get cold easily.
We also provide an ultralight thermos for hot drinks during the day!
Do I need to share a tent?
No, you do not need to share a tent. However, sharing a tent is recommended as it saves time when setting up camp and reduces your pack weight by ~1.4kg.
Do you charge a single supplement fee?
No, we do not charge a single supplement fee.
How often will I get to talk to my family?
Telstra provides the best mobile phone coverage. Whilst not always guaranteed, we typically have service at some point every few days on the trip. Please note that the reception may not always be good enough to hold a phone conversation, however text messages will generally send with time.
Additionally, both guides will be carrying devices with inReach satellite technology to always have an open line of communication.
Am I too old?
We don’t believe age is a good measure of ability. We have guided many people in their 60s and 70s (and 80s!) and sometimes they are the fittest in the group.
Our hikers are typically aged between 16 and 75 years old.
Are there age restrictions for this trip?
There are no age restrictions for our trips, however, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Do I need a medical clearance to participate?
To ensure every participant can safely enjoy the trip, we may require medical clearance from a qualified health professional (e.g., GP, Exercise Physiologist, or Physiotherapist) based on factors such as pre-existing health conditions, current fitness levels, or the physical demands of the specific trip.
Do I need to carry a first aid kit?
No, our guides carry a comprehensive first aid kit that has everything we will need. However, if you have certain items that you would like to carry, feel free to bring them.
Why do I need to attend a preparation session and get my gear checked the day before the trip starts?
The entire group will meet in Canberra the afternoon before the trip starts. This ‘shakedown’ ensures your safety and comfort, while giving you the chance to learn systems refined over 40,000km of hiking. We use this time to fine-tune your setup, ensuring a smooth start to Day 1 and the best possible outcome for your trip.
Note: If you prefer to use your own gear, please bring it along. We are required to inspect all equipment to ensure it meets our safety standards.
Do I need travel insurance?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory. However, we strongly recommend having travel insurance that covers potential losses, damages, injuries, cancellation costs, and loss of luggage. Please note that The Adventure Gene’s cancellation fees apply and cannot be waived.
Cover for medical evacuation by land, air, or sea is required. Medicare does not cover ambulance services. Full details are outlined above under Health & Insurance Requirements.
Are you licensed to run guided trips?
Yes, we are fully licensed and insured NSW EcoPass Operators.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you wish to cancel your booking, please note that the following cancellation fees apply:
- More than 90 days from the scheduled departure date, a fee of $350 per person will be charged with the balance payment refunded to you.
- Between 90 and 60 days prior to departure, you will be charged 50% of the full trip cost with the balance refunded to you.
- Within 60 days of departure, no refund is available.
You can read our full terms and conditions here.
I still have questions?
We know preparing for a trip brings up plenty of questions! Email or call us, and one of our senior guides will be more than happy to answer them.
We encourage you to reach out and ask questions at any time. You can contact us via email ([email protected]), social media or through our website.
