Kosciuszko NP - Hannels Spur

A return walk along Hannels spur from Geehi to Byatts camp.
Autumn 2024 #6 : Geehi flats - Moiras flat - Byatts camp - Abbott high peak - Return.
Distance : 20 km return to Byatts camp. 1400 metre height gain.
Walking conditions : The Hannels spur track and alpine meadows.
Notes : The mighty Hannels spur climbs to the range tops from Geehi, and is more often attempted as an overnight walk, but it is possible to undertake a long day trip to Byatts camp and back. Leg fitness is a major factor, as the top of the spur is 1400 metres higher than the river flats. (Geehi 450m - Byatts camp 1860m).
In this video, I give a description of the route as it ascends, with visual examples of the terrain and vegetation at roughly 100m height intervals.
No map or route description I have seen agrees apon the position of the walk-in to the track head sign. It is very straightforward to find though, as nowadays it is a 4wd track beginning opposite the Geehi rest area. It is about 1 km to the river crossing, then probably another 500 metres to the sign board.
The ford crosses the Geehi river, with the Swampy Plains river commencing just a little way downstream. Beyond there the watercourse is named the Swampy Plains river.
The river level can vary , but some idea of the height can be gained by viewing the river at Geehi flats. In general, river heights are highest in Spring as the snow melts, and lowest in Autumn. For this trip, snow had fallen three days before, making the water level a little higher than it would normally be in Autumn, and also extra cold.
In this case, I did a practice crossing on the afternoon prior to the main walk. The water was 10cm higher on this first try, and the currents were only just manageable in the two deeper channels. In extremely low water, rocks can be hopped across for the whole way, but it is usual to expect wet feet for this crossing.