The Summit Trophy

The Summit Trophy

In 1912 skiers were accommodated at the Hotel Kosciusko (now Sponars Chalet). Sir Herbert Schlink, a member of the Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC), which had been formed in 1909, proposed that a Summit Badge or certificate be awarded to any member reaching the summit of Mt Kosciuszko during the months of July and August in any year. The original by-laws stipulated that the journey should be competed on skis within 48 hours, subsequently reduced to 24 then finally 10 hours for men and 12 for women. Also in 1913, Dr Schlink and Arthur Davies presented a Summit Trophy which was awarded for the fastest time from the Hotel to the summit (53km) in every season. This was a great challenge to most skiers – apart from Betts Camp, there were no shelter huts between the Hotel and the summit. The first record of 15 hours, 15 minutes was set in July 1914 by Dr Schlink and D Shorney. By 1929 Reg Gelling and George Aalberg had reduced the record to 6 hours 9 minutes. After the 1930’s attempts on the record were sporadic until Ross Martin (KAC) reduced it to 4 hours, 55 minutes.