Mount Townsend

Monday, December 31, 2012

Mount Townsend

Mount Townsend is the second highest peak of mainland Australia. Located in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains (part of the Great Dividing Range), Mount Townsend is 3.68 kilometres (2.29 mi) north of Australia's highest mainland peak, Mount Kosciuszko.
Mount Townsend had an elevation of 2,209 m (7,247 ft) and a prominence of 189 m (620 ft). Although lower than Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Townsend has a more craggy peak and is arguably more dominant than the relatively round-topped Mt. Kosciuszko. Due to ease of climbing Mt. Kosciuszko, and the much lower accessibility of Mount Townsend, a tradition has emerged of each person who climbs Mount Townsend carrying a rock from the bottom in the pack, and leaving it at the top, with the goal of making Mount Townsend the taller of the two relatively similar in height peaks.