Cootapatamba Hut
Cootapatamba Hut was built by the SMA as a hydrographer's hut during the planning for the Snowy Scheme. As a founding member of Kosciuszko Huts Association (KHA) Rex Cox became the caretaker and over the years he was assisted by many SASC (Southern Alps Ski Club) members. Eventually SASC became the official caretaker, and the XC and Bushwalking group began organising 2-yearly painting and maintenance trips.
The hut sits below Lake Cootapatamba in the shadow of Mt Kosciuszko and it is exposed to the full force of the Snowy winter. If you have walked from Thredbo to Kosciuszko, then you will have seen the little red hut sitting in the snow grass next to the Swampy Plain River just below the lake.
In early 2019 NPWS inspected the hut and decided that it should be rebuilt. However, since the hut is heritage listed the design had to comply with strict heritage guidelines.
In the winter of 2019 the new frame was constructed at the NPWS Jindabyne depot and exterior cladding boards were cut and painted.
During Feb and Mar 2019, the old hut was moved off its base and the new frame concreted into position using steel supports. Over the next several weeks the new hut was built as a replica of the old hut. The original project plan was interrupted first by bushfires (NPWS staff were called away from the hut project to assist) and then by gale force winds which grounded the helicopter being used to ferry workers and materials.
To assist in the rebuild NPWS asked the SASC caretakers to provide two volunteers each week. The volunteers would be required to hold a White Card, travel to the site via helicopter and camp there for the working week. There were originally 6 volunteers ready to assist but due to weather delays only two members managed to make the trip - Ian Griffith and Jonathon D'Arcy.
By early April the hut was completed and is now a fantastic replica of the original even including its infamous power point!
Please Note:
I have included a seires of waypoints of the suggested route to take, I suggest you start your off-track hike from Rawsons Pass, as there is a steep mountain range between the Kosciuszko Walking Track and the Hut, which I do not recommend traversing, even if it looks like shorter route!
You can start from either Thredbo and take the express chairlift and the Kosciuszko Walking Track OR the Summit walk from Charlotte's Pass. If you come from Charlotte's Pass you can ride a bike to Rawsons Pass and chain it up at the provided bike racks.
Charlotte's Pass - Rawsons Pass is 15km return (option 1, bike allowed)
Thredbo Chairlift (top) - Rawsons Pass is 9km return (option 2, no bikes)
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Rawsons Pass - Cootapatamba Hut is 5km return (off-track walk, roughly)
To log this cache you must:
1. Take a photo from the listed co-ordinates of yourself up the top of the ladder. Be creative, you can either have you head poking out the chimney's latch, stand/sit on the top etc. But you MUST be at the top!
Upload this photo to your online log.
2. How many rungs does the INTERIOR ladder have? Please message this privately and do not include it in your log
Staying safe
Walking in national parks and reserves provides a great opportunity for solitude and self-reliant exploration. In order to protect these landscapes for generations to come, please ensure that native plant and animal communities are disturbed as little as possible. Walking tracks throughout our parks are not always signposted or maintained, so be sure take care when walking in national parks.
Kosciuszko National Park is outstandingly beautiful - it’s a place to explore, be active and adventurous or simply to stop and breathe the fresh, pure mountain air. Before heading out to get thise cache, please consider that the best months for walking are from November through to March, however, weather conditions can change rapidly, and snowfalls and blizzards can occur at any time of the year. During the summer period, bushfires can also pose a threat.
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Ensure that everyone has researched the trip and planned ahead. Each must be confident with the itinerary and his or her individual ability.
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Don’t overestimate your abilities and go at the pace of the slowest person
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Check weather forecasts and local park conditions and modify your plans accordingly. Be prepared – remember conditions can be changeable and extreme, particularly over winter.
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Travel with at least three people in your group – if there is an emergency one person can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person. At least one person in your group should be experienced and able to guide and help others.
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Some walks require rock scrambling and abseiling skills. If you’re uncertain of the difficulty of the walks, contact the local park office.
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Take a topographic map and compass and be confident with their use
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You may not have mobile phone service; if you’re really heading bush, consider taking a locator beacon which can be used as a last resort
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Wear layers of warm, waterproof clothing and take plenty of food as it provides heat in the body
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Protect your skin from sunburn by using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses, protective clothing and a hat. UV is high and new snow reflects a lot of sunlight, even on overcast days.
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Take a bivouac bag or space blanket for emergencies
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If you're camping take a good tent and appropriate sleeping bag
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Check with the park office about fire and firewood-gathering restrictions and remember fires are not allowed during a total fire ban
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Be self-sufficient with drinking water
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If you can’t carry enough to see you through, avoid discomfort by treating water sourced naturally if you’re at all unsure of its purity
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Remember that water supplies may be unreliable
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Remember insect repellent and a torch
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Give complete route details of where you are going to close relatives or friends, or the police. We advise you to tell them your destination and intended route, alternative destination in case of bad weather, equipment list and any special medical conditions of group members.
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Remember to contact your friend and/or relative when you return or phone them from the first phone box or police station you come to if you are delayed
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.