The Schlink Pass 4 Hut Challenge

I bought myself a bike a few weeks ago. A proper bike too, not a $150 special with no front brakes like my last one. Since I got my new baby, a Giant XTC 29er (incidentally, how awesome are 29ers!) I have been getting out and about on the trails around Jindabyne and the Kosciuszko National Park. Last week a sunny Sunday presented me with the opportunity to do a ride I have been thinking about for awhile, I’m going to call it the The Schlink Pass 4 Hut Challenge.

I parked at the Munyang Power Station and started up Munyang-Geehi Rd. The ride begins with a heart starter 300m vertical ascent from the Snowy River to the montane forests above. Despite my flash bike I was struggling by the last switchback and stopped to “take some photos” of the hydro power generation pipes.

The climb to start, much more fun on the return journey

Its not a water slide its Snowy Hydro infrastructure

After considerably reducing the number of beats my heart has left in it, I claimed the ridge and enjoyed some nice downhills and flats to the turn for my first hut of the day, Horse Camp Hut. As a relatively “low hanging fruit” this was my fourth visit to Horse Camp. As usual I admired the bright red door and peaceful setting.

Hut number 1 for the day

Holly’s entry in the log book after our Christmas card debacle

I walked the bike up a steep little hill behind the hut and met up with the Snowy Hydro aqueduct trail. Snowy Hydro don’t miss much, every little stream had a sluice gate directing water into the aqueduct.

I continued along the aqueduct trail and eventually met back up with the Munyang-Geehi Rd.

Near the intersection with the main Munyang-Geehi Rd.

As I turned onto the road I noticed two people jogging around 100m behind me. I put in some solid pedals but to my horror, they were gaining on me (jogging, remember I am on some super-duper bike). Just as they were about to catch me I took the turn to Whites River Hut, the second on my list for the day. The joggers turned off the main road and started on the hut access road, still gaining on me. It was now that I came across Whites River, (from which the hut gets its name) I took some speed into the crossing and made it to the other side. The water nearly came up to the top of my fancy 29 inch wheels. I turned back to see the joggers stuck on the other side of the river, there was no way they were getting across, I was saturated but had defeated them.

Whites River Hut was built in the 1930’s but was partially burnt down in July 2010 by an errant stove. My friend Dougs recently rebuilt the hut with some assistance from volunteers.

After a quick bite to eat it was back across the river and I continued north and up to Schlink Pass at 1804m.

It was a nice gentle downhill for a km or so to hut number 3, affectionately known as the Schlink Hilton owing to its size. The hut has number of rooms and even a slow combustion fireplace. A working bee was in full effect and I got back on the road after a quick lunch before someone handed me a paintbrush.

These guys had special access, cars are not normally permitted

After climbing uphill for pretty much the whole day, I welcomed a few km of fast downhill heading south from Schlink Pass. It wasn’t long however before I once again detoured from the Munyang-Geehi Rd to take another aqueduct trail, Disappointment Spur, to my final hut for the day.

Riding along I started to notice large numbers of Flightless Mountain Grasshoppers on the trail and I was doing my best not to hit the funny insects. Incredibly slow moving, both the females and males are flightless, although the males can manage a sort of jump to get away from predators. The females are particularly fat and dung looking. They do have one defence however, an amazing brightly covered back side that they will happily show you (if you continually try to poke them like I did).

Females and male flightless mountain grasshoppers

Attempting to avoid squashing the grasshoppers I came across Disappointment Hut, my final hut for the day. Also known as ‘Aqueduct Shelter Number 2’ it was built in the 1950’s. I was hoping that the name was intended to be satirical but it was not to be, the hut is indeed a bit of a disappointment. It has only one room with a double bunk and no fire place or nearby running water. It did have a certain quaintness however and if you look through the burnt out trees the view was pretty nice.

Hanging around Disappointment Hut were large numbers of Kosciuszko Grasshoppers. These little guys getter brighter as the day gets hotter. Judging by the iridescent greens and blues on display, they were running pretty hot. Seems it was a day for the insects as I didn't see any snakes and only the occasional macropods.

Kosciuszko grasshoppers and unimpressed hairy caterpillar

With my objectives achieved for the day I had a great ride down Disappointment Spur burning the vertical metres I had claimed in the morning.

View over to the perisher range

My ride ended back at the Munyang Power Station, around 24km. The Snowy Hydro boys were gearing up to make some power.

The Cascade & Rennix Trails

Saturday – Cascade Trail

A few guys at work have been talking about going for a ride on the weekend. I have an absolutely crap bike and to date haven’t been too keen. However, while hanging on my balcony one Friday my neighbour/boss asked if I wanted to go for a ride, it sounded fun so I was in.

We were going with another neighbour who is one of the keenest and most experienced riders and backcountry fellas in the area. We met at his house on Saturday morning and were on the road to Thredbo around 8:30.

Did I mention my crap bike? I got it for $150 as an ex hire from a store in Jindy. It is basically a piece of crap. The best things going for it are that it has disc brakes, front suspension and it moves. Not to worry I thought, it would be ok for the ride.

We decided to do the Cascade Trail to Cascade Hut. It is 8km each way and has some really nice hills. At the carpark we got our gear together, it was at this time that I realised my front brakes were feeling a little light on. Upon further inspection it became apparent that the disc pads had some how fallen out meaning I had no front brakes. I made the decision to take on the ride anyway, I still had rear brakes right?

We hit the ride and it was immediately evident that my fitness is a little low at the moment. I managed to struggle up the hill to Bobs Ridge, it felt like a km of vertical but was closer to 200m. There is a really nice run down to the hut, unfortunately with no front brakes it was more survival. I spent the descent with a locked up rear wheel, it was kind of fun but not ideal.

We got to the hut in around an hour and half. Our guide reckons he can do it in 45min normally. We had a quick break and took some photos. It’s a really nice spot.








We got back on the bikes and hit the road back up to Bobs Ridge. Me and my boss were really struggling at this stage and took numerous breaks on the way up. When we finally hit the top our guide was having a nap under a tree. The run back to the car was again a locked up rear wheel affair but still fun.

The mountains are looking awesome, can’t wait for some snow on them.






We met the ladies at thredbo and had a nice expensive lunch in the village.


Sunday - Rennix

On Sunday me and the gf were keen to do a walk on the main range. I had a few ideas but the weather was shocking at high elevations. We turned around at sponars and considered what to do with the rest of the day. Driving back we noticed the Rennix walk turnoff and thought it would be worth a look. We parked, got our shit together and hit the track.




Rennix has got to be one of the most boring walks I have ever done. The whole track is 13km return. We managed about 2km before we were over it and turned around back to the car. Some of the highlights included a small orange butterfly, a mountain grasshopper and a tree with a big glob of caterpillars on it.








Seriously though, there were a few nice spots. At one point we could see the main range.




And there were some nice flowers and old trees around.






We got back to the car went home and hit the couch.




A pretty good weekend all up.