Summer in the high country is a wonderful thing. The snow bunnies can have their white fluffy stuff, give me the colours of the Bogong high plains in the summer any time.
This event is to celebrate all things summer and a great chance to get out and explore a stunning piece of Victoria. You can stretch your legs out getting here and grab some of the highest altitude caches in Australia.
There are numerous ways of walking here, but the night before some of us will be camping at Mountain Creek Camp ground (see map reference). From here you can walk up the staircase to the summit (if you are crazy), you can drive out to the start of the Eskdale Spur track which is a much easier track to the summit, or if you have a 4WD you can drive to Granite Flat and enjoy a nice easy (relatively) walk to the summit.
I will be driving from Mountain Creek Camp ground to Granite Flat in the morning and hiking up the mountain with my son. If you are not totally confident of hiking in an alpine environment, or you would like some company on the walk to the event then just send me a message and I’ll be happy to drive you out to Granite Flat and walk with you to the summit and probably grab some caches on the way.
- Event Starts: 1:00pm, Saturday the 8th of December 2018
- Event finished: 1:30pm, Saturday the 8th of December 2018
Warnings
Walking in national parks and reserves provides a great opportunity for solitude and self-reliant exploration. In order to protect these landscapes for generations to come, please ensure that native plant and animal communities are disturbed as little as possible. Walking tracks throughout our parks are not always signposted or maintained, so be sure take care when walking in national parks.
This National Park is outstandingly beautiful - it’s a place to explore, be active and adventurous or simply to stop and breathe the fresh, pure mountain air. Before heading out, please consider that weather conditions can change rapidly, and snowfalls and blizzards can occur at any time of the year. During the summer period, bushfires can also pose a threat.
If you aren’t planning on coming with me and will be making your own way, please keep in mind the following…
- Ensure that everyone has researched the trip and planned ahead. Each must be confident with the itinerary and his or her individual ability.
- Don’t overestimate your abilities and go at the pace of the slowest person
- Check weather forecasts and local park conditions and modify your plans accordingly. Be prepared – remember conditions can be changeable and extreme, particularly over winter.
- Travel with at least three people in your group – if there is an emergency one person can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person. At least one person in your group should be experienced and able to guide and help others.
- Some walks require rock scrambling and abseiling skills. If you’re uncertain of the difficulty of the walks, contact the local park office.
- Take a topographic map and compass and be confident with their use
- You may not have mobile phone service; if you’re really heading bush, consider taking a locator beacon which can be used as a last resort
- Wear layers of warm, waterproof clothing and take plenty of food as it provides heat in the body
- Protect your skin from sunburn by using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses, protective clothing and a hat. UV is high and new snow reflects a lot of sunlight, even on overcast days.
- Take a bivouac bag or space blanket for emergencies
- If you're camping take a good tent and appropriate sleeping bag
- Check with the park office about fire and firewood-gathering restrictions and remember fires are not allowed during a total fire ban
- Be self-sufficient with drinking water
- If you can’t carry enough to see you through, avoid discomfort by treating water sourced naturally if you’re at all unsure of its purity
- Remember that water supplies may be unreliable
- Remember insect repellent and a torch
- Give complete route details of where you are going to close relatives or friends, or the police. We advise you to tell them your destination and intended route, alternative destination in case of bad weather, equipment list and any special medical conditions of group members.
- Remember to contact your friend and/or relative when you return or phone them from the first phone box or police station you come to if you are delayed
Possible Cancelation
It must also be noted that this event may be cancelled at the last minute. Reasons for this may include, but are not limited to…
- Inclement bad weather (wind, rain, snow)
- Extreme hot weather (temperatures above 35 degrees)
- Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating
- Predictions of possibilities of any of the above.
If you intend on coming, please log your Will Attend. Any notifications regarding cancellations will be posted immediately as an announcement to this page. That way all teams who have logged a Will Attend will be notified of any possible changes straight away.