Gear List - Achieving The Aussie 10 Peaks

Mountain Designs Adventure Ambassadors Glenn and Alyssa Azar regularly take groups to the top of Australia with their Adventure Professionals trip, The Aussie 10 Peaks Challenge. Here they provide expert insight into what gear you'll need to pack, with a comprehensive gear list based directly on their own experiences of reaching the Mount Kosciusko summit and its neighbouring peaks. 

The Mountain(s)

Mount Kosciusko is Australia’s highest mountain, located on the Main Range of the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. One of the Seven Summits, its peak sits some 2,228 metres above sea level. From a technical mountaineering perspective it is very easy to climb, being a four-hour, grade-3 return walk from the nearest car park. The Aussie 10 Peaks comprises the following:

1. Mount Kosciuszko - 2,228 metres
2. Mount Townsend - 2,209m
3. Mount Twynam - 2,195m
4. Ramshead - 2,190m
5. 'Unnamed Peak' on Etheridge Ridge - 2,180m
6. Ramshead North - 2,177m
7. Alice Rawson Peak - 2,160m
8. 'Unnamed Peak' SW of Abbott Peak - 2,159m
9. Abbott Peak - 2,145m
10. Carruthers Peak - 2,145m

The Route

To achieve the 10 peaks, you’re looking at a challenging 50km of hiking, which we spread across 48 hours. You’ll be walking across the spectacular Main Range, with Australia’s only mainland glacial lakes as your backdrop. As a bonus, you’ll get to cross the spectacular Snowy River.

The Gear

Expeditioning and travelling in environments such as the Australian Alps is exciting and enjoyable if you’re comfortable and warm. Making sure you have the right clothing and equipment is a safety requirement due to the temperature extremes you will likely encounter. The first step is making sure you have the right type of cold weather clothing.

Personal Gear Checklist

Check out our Mountaineering gear list below for expert advice from Glenn and Alyssa on what Mountain Designs gear will best equip you for a winter-time Aussie 10 Peaks adventure:

Technical Clothing

• Long-sleeve thermal top -
  Glenn recommends either a Merino wool or polypropylene style, depending on your preferred hand-feel:
  Shop Men's - 100% Australian Merino Long Sleeve Top
  Shop Women's - 100% Australian Merino Long Sleeve Top

• Thermal pants
  Shop Men's - 100% Australian Merino Pants
  Shop Women's - 100% Australian Merino Pants

• Fleece jacket -
  Glenn recommends a midweight 200-300 fleece jacket:
  Shop Men's - Pro Elite Climber Full Zip Fleece Jacket
  Shop Women's - Navis Full Zip Fleece Jacket

• Fleece pants
  Shop Men's & Women's - Brass Monkey Fleece Pant

• Down jacket -
  Alyssa recommends this for comfortable wear around the resort/camp at night time:
  Shop Men's - Resurge 700 Down Jacket
  Shop Women's - Resurge 700 Down Jacket

• GORE-TEX shell jacket -
  Glenn recommends a GORE-TEX jacket with a large hood, in a size that is big enough to fit comfortably over the top of your mid-weight fleece:
  Shop Men's - Cumulus GORE-TEX Rain Jacket
  Shop Women's - Cumulus GORE-TEX Rain Jacket

• GORE-TEX shell pants or Softshell pants
  Shop Men's - Glacier Softshell Pant
  Shop Women's - Neve Softshell Pant

Handwear & Headwear

• Lightweight fleece gloves
• GORE-TEX shell gloves
  Shop Mountaineering Gloves

• Headlamp & spare batteries
  Shop Black Diamond Storm 375 Headlamp

• Balaclava or beanie
• Buff or neck warmer or scarf
  Shop Merino Neck Gaiter

Packs & Bags

• Hiking pack (40-70L)
  Shop Trekker 45L Hiking Pack

Download/Print Gear List

Note: Download/print off this gear list and check it off as you pack. However, this gear list should be used as a guide only and is not exhaustive. It is important you do your own research based on your chosen destination, planned activities, weather conditions, time of year and experience.