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Crag & Route Beta

Area	Location	Sub Location	Crag	Links
All NSW	(General)	(General)	(General)

Topic Date User

Blue lake 26-Jul-2011 At 3:51:24 PM Capt_mulch

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MINIMUM IMPACT (NPWS)
The largest native animal in the Kosciuszko alpine zone is about 10cm long and
weighs less than a climbing shoe. The vegetation of the alpine zone is not adapted to
large, heavy animals such as humans and is highly vulnerable to foot and camping
impact and consequent erosion.
Since the end of grazing in alpine areas by sheep and cattle and subsequent large-scale
repair of erosion damage by the NSW Soil Conservation Service, the greatest threat
to the alpine environment has come from human recreational activity. Alpine
recreation has vastly increased in the last decade and can be expected to increase
further.
As part of the measures taken by the NPWS to reduce damage, the public is asked
not to camp in the catchment basins of any glacial lake. For the Blue Lake/Hedley
Tarn connected lake system this includes all land encompassed by the surrounding
highest peaks and ridges and draining into either lake.
The boundary of this prescribed area on the north and east runs from the peak of Mt
Twynam to the Little Twynam peak then along the ridge of the Crummer Spur. It
then turns southwest to meet Blue Lake Creek below the moraine hump damming
Hedley Tarn. To the north and west the boundary lies along Twynam west ridge
following the line of the old Soil Conservation track. It turns south to join the Main
Range Walk half a kilometre west of the Blue Lake track turn-off. From the turn-off it
lies along the ridge of Helms moraine then turns south to below the Hedley Tarn
moraine.
The most easily accessible camping sites for climbers are in the gully of Carruthers
Creek (sometimes called Soil Conservation Creek) which is crossed by the Main
Range Walk just before the rise to the Blue Lake turn-off. From this site climbers
quickly get onto the main walking track and can take the already impacted track
from the lookout platform to the climb face. The site offers good shelter and water.
When using this site please set tents as far as possible from the water, camp on the
thick snowgrass and avoid walking on the steep, stony areas around it.
Other possible sites are:
- the site of the previous Soil Conservation Hut by the Main Range Walk east of
Carruthers Peak,
- the basin at the headwaters of Strezelecki Creek,
- the saddle north of little Twynam, and
- below the moraine damming Hedley Tarn.
Campers using the latter are asked to walk only on the already impacted area
between Hedley Tarn and Blue Lake. This track passes through vulnerable bog and
wet areas and is already braided and eroded in several places. Please don't increase
the braiding by stepping off the track to avoid mud.
From the Soil Conservation Hut site, access to Blue Lake is easy by the main tracks.
Campers using the Strezelecki basin site are asked to take great care when walking
between track and campsite. Please avoid using the untracked upper Blue Lake basin
as a short cut. The stony snow patch feldmark and the bog and fen plant
communities of this area are highly vulnerable to impart damage.
When walking between the Twynam track and the Strezelecki sites impact will be
lessened if the group spreads out (single file walking creates impact tracks).
Walk only on thick snowgrass meadow and contour (zigzag) up and down slopes.
Avoid walking on anything deep, or bright green, stony, gravelly, wet, mossy or
spongy.
Campers using the Little Twynam saddle will also minimise tracking impact by
following the above guidelines.
Increased impact is evident from the top of the climbs down to lake level. Climbers
can help minimise damage by descending to lake level on the sloping rock rather
than on vegetation.
Over the last few years a bare track has formed from the lake to the base of the
climb face. Where there is no rock to walk on, stay on this track rather than making
new ones.
Toilet and urinate as far from water as possible, avoid digging holes – disturbed soil is
subject to frost-heave and erodes rapidly. Place tampons, disposable nappies, etc in a
strong plastic hag and carry them out with you.
Leave all rocks and stones in place. Moving them (for cairns, stove shelters, etc)
exposes bare soil which erodes. If they are moved the newly covered vegetation will
die.
And please don't light fires; use a portable cooker.
Most climbers care about their environment. With climbers' cooperation as outlined
above, it may be possible to minimise damage to the surrounds of mainland
Australia's only carved-out glacial lake.