Before you leave home
Check the weather and come prepared
The weather in Thredbo is highly changeable on any given day. Please check the weather forecast in advance and come prepared for all conditions. We recommend sturdy walking boots or shoes that have been worn in, waterproof jacket, light woollen jumper or fleece, thermal top, gloves, a warm hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Remember to also pack at least one litre of water, lunch, snacks and any medication you may need.
The Eagles Nest café positioned at the top of the chairlifts will be open for light refreshments from 9.30 am on both mornings.
Expect trail upgrades
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is upgrading the Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk in Kosciuszko National Park to repair flood damage, make the track more resilient to future weather events and improve accessibility to the popular Mount Kosciuszko summit. Please take the time to read the attached document regarding the upgrades and what to expect on the trail.Download the Emergency Plus App
Telstra will be upgrading its mobile network around Thredbo with work to take please over 9 days commencing 15/03/2024. Your mobile service may be impacted at various times during this period.
Friday 15 and Saturday 16 March – morning
Wet weather plans If the weather is inclement and Kosi Challenge is unable to proceed (due to snow, rain, wind or thunderstorms) Thredbo Management will cancel the chairlift and trekking in Kosciusko National Park. You will receive an SMS by 6.30am on the morning of your climb with further instructions and alternate plans.
Arrival and registration
Registration will be setup outside the Thredbo Alpine Hotel Bar. It will be clearly identifiable with RCA signage. You will need to arrive and register 15 minutes before your selected time wave. This will give you enough time to check-in, grab your complimentary RARE merchandise and chairlift/gondola ticket included in your registration, and join your group at the marshalling area.
Any questions on the day can be directed to an RCA team member wearing an orange branded RARE vest.
Chairlift ticket and complimentary RARE merchandise
Thredbo will only allow you to access the chairlift if you have a pass.
All passes will be handed out at the registration desk on the morning of your climb, along with your dedication flag and complimentary RARE branded cap.
Please note that your chairlift ticket also includes use of the gondola.
In Honour Wall
An 'In Honour' wall will be on display for those who are climbing in honour of a loved one. If you have not submitted a photo prior to the event, please bring one along to add to the wall. Permanent markers will be available for you to leave a personal message on the wall if you wish.
Registered participants only
Your safety and wellbeing at Kosi is our number one priority. Attendance numbers are strictly limited by NSW National Parks. RCA reserves the right to decline entry to any persons who risk jeopardising the safety of the event, including those who have not registered for an in-person ticket.
During the climb
Safety and incidents
Please note there is a time limit of 15 minutes once you reach the summit. No more than 100 people can be on the summit at any one time.
Marshals, guides, RCA staff and medics will be wearing orange high vis RARE vests. Please alert them to any incidents. They are equipped to call for assistance if needed.
Please do not run along metal walkways. This can be dangerous, especially in wet weather.
Restrooms and rubbish
There are four toilet locations: inside the Thredbo Alpine Hotel Bar, at Valley terminal, at the Eagles Nest café, and just before the summit climb on Kosi.
Please do not leave rubbish behind in our beautiful National Park.
Top Shot Challenge - win a $2,500 donation to your page for best individual and team shot
CUBE PR have kindly donated $5,000 towards the Top Shot Challenge! This means the person AND team with the most creative photo/video of their journey leading up to Kosi (or on the summit) will each receive a $2,500 contribution to their fundraising page.
The rules are simple: take a creative photo or video of yourself or your team and post it to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn tagging @RareCancers Australia and using #kosichallenge, prior to 5pm Saturday 16 March.
Catching the chairlift down
The last chairlift down to base is at 4 pm from Eagles Nest. This is the recommended route for your journey down. You will require a chairlift ticket to use the lift.
Friday 15 March – evening
Celebrate the difference you’ve made!
Friday and Saturday challengers are invited to join the RCA team in the courtyard of the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (The Alpine Bar) between 5-7 pm. Together we will celebrate those who took on the challenge today, and welcome the climbers set to conquer Kosi tomorrow!
Catch up with fellow supporters, including those your fundraising will impact, and purchase a BBQ or dinner and drinks as you enjoy some tunes and celebrate coming together for all Australians impacted by rare cancer.
Please note there is limited space in this area, so the venue may need to decline entry once it reaches maximum capacity.
Saturday 16 March – evening
Awards Ceremony
Please join us from 5-7pm in the courtyard of Thredbo Alpine Hotel to acknowledge all the top fundraisers, including the winners of the Kosi Cup, Corporate Cup and Pharma Cup, sponsored by Medicines Australia.
Hear from the very people your fundraising will support and purchase a BBQ or dinner and drinks as we celebrate the collective difference you’ve made for Australians affected by rare cancer.
No tickets are necessary, but please note there is limited space in this area, so the venue may need to decline entry once it reaches maximum capacity.
The fundraising amounts showing on the Kosi website at 5pm on Saturday 16 March will be the deciding amounts when allocating awards.
Please note that your personal fundraising page on the Kosi website will remain live until 30 April 2024 to allow your supporters time to continue donating after you have conquered Kosi.
Questions
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Kosi website for everything you need to know about the Kosi Challenge. If you have any additional questions, please get in touch with Natalie Clancy, Head of Fundraising, at natalie@rarecancers.org.au We can’t wait to welcome you to Kosi soon. Travel safe – and we will see you there!
