Day 3: Cleve Cole Hut back to Mountain Creek Campground

I promised bad news. The spare battery I had for my camera, was a DUD. it fully charged but discharged within 2 days. So Day 3 will be light on photos. By light I mean NO photos. This post will be rather short.

Last night was an interesting sleeping experience. It was cold, but not too cold. That is good. It rained a little. That is bad. It was gusting strong wind. That is bad too. I did not not stake out the tent and the ventilation flap properly. That is REALLY bad.

Through the night, the wind came in gust. I could hear a whoossss, swoooshh, then a woooopppsshhh, going from left to right giving it a full stereo then silence, followed a whooppp, and the tent shooked and the ventilation flap, flapped. Say it out loud for the total experiance.

This is my tent looking like limp lettuce. From the front, there are 1 ventilation flaps that is needs to be staked out. I totally forgot to stake it and flapped about, causing a ruckus whenever a gust of wind landed. In all honesty, the only my friend, Limpy knows how to stake this tent properly AND she did it first time out of the brand new packaging. I am really bad at staking this tent. It is attention to details which I lack. The fact that it was just about dark when I was pitching it here did not help.The Lightheart gear Solong 6 is much easier to pitch.

*Note: the Lightheart Gear Solong 6 was only purchased after this trip. If you are confused, then my "Lost" theme is working*

I woke up mildly grumpy at about 7:30 am and popped my head out of the tent and decided to go back into the sleeping bag. After milling about for a bit, I started hearing my friends moving about. I made breakfast under the vestibule and started packing. We broke camp at about 9am and made our way to Cleve Cole hut. It was foggy, overcast and very fine misty rain was falling. It could be worse. It would be torrential downpour. We donned out waterproof gear and made off.

In any case, I found myself wishing for bog shoes one again as we were getting to Cleve Cole Hut where we filled our water and made last minute adjustments.

I got chatting with 2 guys who said that they drove to Granite Flats and hiked up here. Hmm...much shorter distance. A worth looking into when I feel like cheating.

Cut the long story short, we walked back the direction we came from on day one, and took the turn off to Eskadale spur. The view was obscured by fog and clouds, but I know I can still take some really nice photos. Alas. no battery power.

I found a stout stick to use as a walking pole to help with descent. It was a steep descent, but my pack was a bit lighter by about 2 kg from consumables. However I has another problem. My pinky toes on my right foot was hurting like hell. I have a retarded right foot. It gives me problem with shoes. Lefty is a lot more well behaved. My right pinky toe will get squished against the toe cup of the boot and it hurts. So I started favoring it. At this point, it was still bearable.

The trail from the top of Eskadale to Mitchell hut is rocky and you have to mind stepping on loose rocks. It is also rather steep. Mitchell Hut is a nice new modern looking hut with a water tank. We took a rest break to peel off. Soon we got cold and moved on. From Mitchell Hut, the trail is dirt and mud, not an easy trail to tread. I slid on my ass a few time as I was trying not to mash my little toe.

This part of the walk I liked the least. The view was lacking, the trail was slippery and my toe was hurting.
Eventually, we got to a carpark. FINALLY!!! We stopped for and had a quick meal break. The end of the journey, I concluded. WRONGLY again. It looks like a weekend of wrong conclusions for me. Anyway, it was a welcomed break. I asked and told that there was another 8km of 4WD track to Mountain Creek camp ground. I wished I never asked. We passed an entire convoy of at least 10 4wd passing us as we were walking along the track. Each time we has to seek cover in the bushes as the track was only wide enough for a 4wd. It was almost like a 4WD expo. We has BMW, Nissian, Ford, KIA, even a Porsche and Hummer H3
We carried on and came across another 3 stranglers. They asked me which way they went and I said they did not bush bashed that is for sure.

This last 8 km was a real pain to walk. It is just plain boring and it felt like it will never end. Eventually, it did. Bliss.

It was around 3.30 pm and Andrew and I were going to camp for the night and head home on Monday. Our basecamp support had some bbq chicken for us and also a hot shower. Wow. Got to love country folks. Andrew talked footy while I played with the kids for the rest of the afternoon, 12 yr old girl and a 7 yr old boy

 Despite the glaring age difference, they took to me really well. God knows why. In any case, they were great kids, well behaved, but spirited. Not quiet children who sit in a corner, or ruckus kids who run amok.
Nothing like a good people to round of a good 3 day hike.

The End.

If I had to descend to Mountain Creek Camp ground again, think I would prefer so via staircase. Getting to the bottom of Eskadale tricks you into thinking it is all over, then you get slapped with another 8km of 4wd track that was SUCH A PAIN.

This trip also taught me to pack smart and the importance of light weight gear and also to take some pack a few spoonful of cement for hikes.

Day 2: Exploring the area around Cleve Cole Hut.

I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to today after the punishment that my legs suffered coming up Staircase. I was expecting crippling cramps in the night, but it did not happen. I was expecting my legs to run off in disgust at my stupidity at packing. Fortunately they were loyal enough to stick it through.

We rewarded ourselves with a bit of a sleep in. Nice blue day like Friday.

The plan was to head to Howman's fall, then proceed to a knoll along T Spur. Total distance traveled for the day will be approximately 15km return.My heart leapt with joy and my legs hi fived each other.

15 mins in, I got dumped by my group for spending too much time taking photos. We make plans to meet for lunch at the knoll.

I like taking photos. Just like I do not queue 2 hrs hrs at a restaurant to see and smell the food. I do not hike for 3 days just to store the sights of Mount bogong in the hard drive of my brain. It could crash any time.

 

By the time I got the creek, they were long gone.

The track splits. Howmans Falls to the right and the Long Spur and T Spur if you cross. If you want to go to Howman's fall, DO NOT CROSS the stream. Keep it on your left. I crossed the streams. 

See those random people on the other side of the creek, that is where I should be. I manage to make them wave for a photo. Then I walked down knee to thigh deep shrubs and rock hopped across the stream.

I came to a series of rock pools that cascaded into little waterfalls. Was pretty but hardly a waterfall.
The guys (and 1 girl) in who waved for the photo were in the rock pool taking a dip.
Note to self: collect drinking water upstream.

I wandered a little further down and there was another rock pool.
At this point I had not seen any signs of my friends. To go to the T spur, you will have to double back along the same way. Therefore, I will most definately see them at some point.
I came to the WRONG conclusion that they have already come and gone and I missed them. I also WRONGLY concluded that this is all of Howman's Falls.

The word of the hour is "concluded"
I was trying to make up time and after consulting my map and using my A1 map reading skills, I concluded that it would be a shorter distance, hence quicker, to cut across rather than double back.

Everyone can arrive that conclusion by looking at the map. This is where my A1 map skills came in. It is steep but climbable. and the distance is MUCH less. I reckon I would make up about 30 min. 30 mins is just a random figure I pulled out. 1 hr sounds like unbelievable exaggeration. Saving 15min, I would not have bothered. So I came up with a self satisfying figure of 30 min.

There looked like there was a track amist the shrubs across the stream, so I headed for it. Rock hopped across and bush bashed a little. As track snaked around trees and impassible shrubs, it got thinner and thinner and disappeared. The forest swallowed me. The trees breezed a soft chuckle. Suckered in!

I was not lost. I knew exactly where I was but I could go up no further, I did not want to back track to the crossing so I cut across trying to get back on the start of T Spur,  taking the path of least resistance. After some moderate bashing, it opened up into clearing. I had to cross it to get on a visible trail. It was wet and boggy.

I saw a tree with interesting colour and pattern. This was the only noteworthy even from my bush bashing.
Evenutally the trail forked to the Long Spur and the T Spur.

In case, you happen wandered into the area by total accident, Mt Bogong is that way.

T Spur trail is within gumtrees. there was not much in terms of panoramic views but it was nice being in the ghosty gums. I was wondering how far they are ahead when I reached an apart of T Spur that was like a saddle, you could see both side of the valley. It was flat and it looked like it could be a nice place to have a little nap in the sun. I will just wait for them to head back. I decided against it in case they were waiting for me. It was about lunch time. I pressed on ahead and got to where I thought we were suppose to be.

No one around. I know how mad my map reading skills are so I pressed on. When I came to a part that looked like a long STEEP descent, even I can tell where on the map I was. It was called "The Steep".  But it still did not explain where the other 5 people are. Alien abduction? Dingos? Hide and seek?

My phone rang and long story short, they were behind me. My prior wrong conclusions caught up to me. Where I thought was the end of Howman's Falls, was not. I doubled back and they caught up. We had lunch and decided that the remaining 3 hrs or so left of sunlight will be free and easy. I thought I will do see the REAL Howman's Falls. The rock pools also look rather inviting.

On my way there, I found some cheaters. 

Do they not know what a spiritual journey is? I envied their ignorance, but I mostly envied their not-walking.

Howman's Fall was a real spectacle. It is on a cliff edge over a valley.

It flows from here:

 into a pool, then down here

which flows into the valley here.
 

I contemplated taking a quick dip, I had a towel, but I was wearing tights and had no spare jocks. While I was there taking photos, noone came to this end of the Falls. So I decided to take a quick skinny dip. It was COLD, then you get  tigling feeling at at edge of your skin, like you have a shimmering halo, then you feel warm. It was a great feeling and it left me feeling nice and clean. Sorry girls, no photos.

Fare evader on Bogong High Plains, as I laid in the sun, made some coffee and enjoyed the sun. Thats life.
Bad news at this point. The sun was getting low, so was the battery power. It turned chilly as I started to make my way back to camp.

Back at the camp site, it was begining to look like a CBD parking. There were a lot of people compared to when we left this morning. 2 of my friends turned up. They have been doing reconnaissance for a less crowded camp area and they found one in a nice area. All we had to do is pack, walk about 1 km though boggy swamp land and setup camp. All before we lose light in 1 hour. Perfect. How I wish for Bear Grylls bog shoes.

Anyway, it was a great decision to move. As soon as I broke camp, a group pounced from behind a bush and claimed my spot. Our new camp spot was likely a place where stockman gathered when they are up there. The ground was solid and a little sheltered amongst tree. We sat around had a meal, talked and retreated to our tents.

It was an unusual night. There was a little rain and the wind was blowing in gust which caused sound of swirling wind and rustling leaves throughout the night. I had a restless sleep. More bad news tomorrow.

Day 1: Mountain Creek Camp ground to Cleve Cole Hut

I woke at 7:30, just before the alarm went off. The morning was a bit chilly. I laze about for a bit before I exited the tent to make some breakfast and start packing. The tent was wet. I hate packing wet tent.

As I was packing, Andrew noted at how much I was carrying and convinced me that the extra 3 litres of water was superfluous. I was also carrying a 3kg 3 men-but-really-2-men tent. And an extra day pack for when we go exploring tomorrow. I never weight my packs. Ignorance is a bliss. I worked out the pack was at least 20 kg. possibly 23kg. At this point, the only thing light weight I had was the sleeping mat which was a thin foam mat. Everything was heavy. When you are poor, you just got to toughen up.

Some of the others in the group opted for a more civilized accommodation in a motel the night before. The plan was to met at 8:30am at the start of the track. Which was where we camped, so we did not have to go far. As with most designated start time, we did not make it. only 20 minutes late though, so it was alright.

Our friendly neighbour sent us off with the promise to provide base camp support when we got back. Again, I have no power of precognition, so I could not know lottery numbers nor how much I would appreciate the base camp support that those lovely people would provide. Knowing the future is so handy but could also ultimately make things a bit dull. No excitement of overnight dusting of snow nor hiking in torrential downpour.

It is about 2 km to the actual start of the Staircase spur. The trees casted dramatic shadows on the ground.

  

And Staircase spurs starts

At this point, there was hardly any elevation gained, just 2 km traversed.

Physical status Update: A-O-K

The walking within treeline was rather dull so I was sparse with the photos. 

Bivouac hut was a hut too far. Though only about 3 km from the bottom, it was an ascent with to respite. Every step taken was elevation gained. Eventually I thought I saw the hut. It was a welcome sight.

Then I discovered it is acutally a drop toilet at Bivouac hut.

Time to recharge my sugar reserve. Those were, in fact, the only snakes we saw on the trip. And they were tasty. This one, looked a lot less so.

 Physical status Update: Quads burning, legs are still attached. Still ok to go on.
After a 15 minute break, we departed for the second leg of the journey. The objective was the summit of Mount Bogong and lunch.

The view after Bivouac Hut was more interesting as we started climbing above the treeline. It was mainly ghostly gumtrees.

This is one of those moments that you have to be there to enjoy it. from where I was taking the photo, that hill looked like the back of a hedgehog.

 

I passed a few people at some point, going either direction. The common comment was. "Good day. You pack looks heavy. Some of it must be booze." At this point, I face palmed. I am carrying all this weight and there is no alcohol! At this point, my quads and glutes are burning. I disguised my many micro breaks taking photos. Every rock or log that I could rest my ass and my pack on, I took. It was slow going but we were still on schedule. At some stage, I was asking myself why I was doing this!

As we neared the summit, we left all trees. The landscape cleared

Finally, some flat tracks! My right quads was shot and my hamstring was starting to cramp a little.

The flat parts did not last long. Before long, we were on our way up again. Between my breaks photo taking, and my snail pace, I lagged the group.

This was with the lens zoomed in all the way (300mm focal length).

This is 28mm

 

Where's wally? Here they are.

Time for another break!

Almost to the summit. After we pass the rocks, there was a pool of water from a spring and many little rivulets of water flowing from the spring. The view from the summit was great. Nice blue sky and the sun was out but it was windy and a bit chilly. Lunch time. Finally pack off and a proper rest.

We found a party crasher. 

After a very needed break, we donned our packs and headed off once again. Destination, Cleve Cole Hut.

This part of the walk was very scenic with comfortable leisurely descent. However, the damage was done and my left hamstring and calf started cramping, so I slowed to an even more leisurely pace. 

I was the last to stroll into Cleve Cole Hut campsite. The other in my party were already starting to pitch their tent.

It was still warm and I took this chance to sun the sleeping bag and tent and my sweat soaked t-shirt.

The sun set and we sat around making dinner and pretended that we had fire.A pretend fire was not as good as a really one so we scurried off to our tents to catch some sleep.

3 Day Hike to Mt Bogong over Easter - Day 0

Things usually happens in chronological order, but just to make things more dramatic, my blog will not follow such petty temporal constrains. The TV series "Lost"'s sucess formula of temporal displacement could also help bring my blog to new heights of success. And not make me lost. Physically.

Mt Bogong is Victoria's highest peak at about 1980m. Via Staircase spurs, it is distance of 6km traveled with 1.2km elevation gained. Spin tingling excitment

The plans is to spend the night at Mountain Creek camping ground to hit Staircase spurs nice and early on Friday morning, to Cleve Cole hut and spend a day exploring then head down on Sunday via Eskadale spur

Thursday was a cloudy and pretty grim looking day. Mt Bogong was shrouded in ominous looking rain bearing clouds. We got to the camp ground with plenty of daylight. A family from Albury rocked up as we were setting up and shared our camping area. I help spot as reverse park their caravan. They were really nice people and they promise to help us keep our spot for when we get back down on Sunday.

After dinner and beer in Mount Beauty. We headed back. Andrew talked footy with the Albury folks and I got ready for bed.

 Mountain Creek was flowing really well. Looks like water is not going to be a problem. I remember saying my pet hate is packing a wet tent. Guess what. it rained a bit that night. Not a big downpour. Just enough to to make my heavy tent, heavier.

Our tents in moonlight.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Day 3: Feathertop Goodness! and a mad dash across the Razorback

Today's post will be full of picturey goodness. If you run out of bandwidth, please feel free to pin it on me.

It was bloody-cold degrees that night. Very exact and scientific measurement of temperature. Misery matched only by the awesomeness that the morning would bring. I could not see into the future so I just plain miserable.

The plan of the attack was to go up to Feathertop for sunrise then explore the surrounding area and to chillout and relax. I set my alarm at 6:40 am with the intention of going up to Feathertop for some sunrise goodness. I reveilled miserably cold. I already had every item of clothing on so there was no way to get warmer. I packed food and water for a breakfast on Feathertop. 7 am and I was off. Late for sunrise I know, but it was hard to get into gear. May I burn in the furnace of hell for it. Hmmm...BBQ

Mt Feathertop is somewhere behind those trees. Lets go look!
The way to Feathertop has not been spared the ravages of the fire.

Onwards. The climb is not steep nor long. It was windy but bearable.

As I got higher up the summit. I cleared the cloud level and it was blue sky. Blameless blue. 

My best self portrait to date.

I found a spot a little sheltered from the wind and boiled some water for porridge and coffee. The view was great, the sun was warm. Life is good. Coffee could be better, but I'll live. 360 degree view of the Alpine NP.

OF COURSE! It makes sense now. FEATHER - TOP

This is a great photo. Pardon my humility. Check it out in IMAX size. On the ridge is the MUMC hut and the valley in a hazy blue. I think it could be Harrietteville.

I sat there soaking in the warm and UV. Someone from the campsite came up and spend a few minute there and left, Not before asking me to take a few photos for him. As I spend my morning there, he was the only person I saw. I had the whole summit to myself. I do not own the Apline NP yet, but it sure felt like it.

The morning was marred by my lack of power. Battery power. For the camera. 4 battery and 500 shots. Out of power. I screamed "JUST GIVE ME ONE MORE SHOT!" and was about to fling the camera off Feathertop when I remembered. Leave no trace.  That and the camera cost $750. I took to keeping all the batteries in my back pocket and swapping them when the camera flashed battery depleted. My radioactive behind that let me coax a few more photos from those inadequate power source.

Time flies and its pass 11 and really should move my ass. I wanted to head down Tom Keen track to the creek to get some water and head up to see MUMC hut but the track was closed due to fire damage. I debated if I should go on. I decided to be a sign abiding hiker and head back to Federation Hut for water from the rain tank.

 By 12 I got back to my tent. The sun was nicely warm. I rolled up the fly to air the tent and put out the sleeping bag. As I was boiling water (AGAIN!) for coffee, I got a message alert and it was my friend in Harrietteville telling me that there is severe weather coming. Hmm..last night was pretty shit. Can I stand another night here? It was then I discovered another dire situation. Surer and more immediate than possibly bad weather.

I was out of coffee.

Out of battery power and out of coffee. There was not any real reason for me to stay. Without coffee or electricity, we are no better than animals. This ape got packing

It is 12:10pm. I worked out that by the time I eat and pack it should be about 1pm and I'll take about 4 hrs to make my way across the razorback. I message back, meet me at Diamantina Hut at the start of the Razorback at 4pm.

Wait a minute, you say. It does not add up. it is 12pm you leave at 1pm and 4 hrs so it should be 5 pm?
Yes. Please do not show off. You can do maths. I cannot. I am a disgrace to my race. You should also realise that impossible deeds are done by people who did not know otherwise.

I finish packing and started my way across the razorback at 12:50, glad to have extra 10 minutes.

The fire did not detract from the great view from the Razorback. Nature tells an interesting story. The fire damage was a lot more obvious here. There was burnt stumps on either side of the track. Fire is a natural disaster. Things burn and things regrow. Such is life.

It is not all burn and charred.

I kept a very brisk pace, slow jogging when it was flat. I passed at least 3 groups heading to Federation Hut. Looks like it is going to be cosy there tonight.

Finally I can see the chairlifts at Hotham. 1 last km. There was some clouds coming in and it was getting chilly.

The Great Alpine Road. End of the hike. Exactly 4 pm. 3 hrs and 10 minutes.

Day 3 Summary:

• Feathertop is awesome. 
• The weather can change quite quickly in Alpine areas.
• Bluegrass is banjo, guitar and double bass
• Gerald Pink makes great Beef jerky. 
• I need to find a more comfortable pair of shoes for hiking. 
• Blogging is fun but not as easy as it looks.