At those cliffs

Looking straight down. Subtitled- Don't let Mum see this.

Shear cliffs of The Crosscut Saw

Crosscut Saw

Crosscut Saw

This should be fun!

Day 22

13k +1100 -900.

Now camped at Mt Speculation. Short distance due to technical nature of trail and
terrain. Basically a poorly defined foot pad. Don't underestimate the
time it will take to get though this section. It took about 9hrs
walking to do Barry's Saddle to Catherine Saddle. Also it is very dry
out here and hot. There was no water as per Sisemans at Catherine
Saddle. There was water in Camp Creek below Mt Speculation, but this
is just barely flowing and we had a big down pour a week ago.

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Camped at Mt Speculation.

The Razor left, and The Viking right background

The Viking from Razor summit.

Gully to right of summit is the way up. Viking Saddle in front of that

The Viking Towering above from Viking Saddle

Inside the chock stone

A great scramble to get through this one, Especially as I am trying to get down it.

A fantastic Chock Stone to negotiate

Up via the cave to the right of the tree

Main Ridge

Right to Left. Mt Seculation, Horrible Gap, Mt Buggery, The Crosscut Saw, and finally Mt Howitt at far left. I'm in for an interesting day. This area inspired 'Hell' in the 'Tomorrow the War Began' book series. Awesome country, this is what we are here for!

Then return back

And head left into the saddle and on up Mt Dispair before gaining the main ridge line behind.

The Razor

I must climb down into the saddle and small peaks on the left before heading right to the summit.

Sunrise at The Viking

Day 21

20k +1450 -1350 camped at top of The Viking, Not a lot of flat
ground so should be a restless night. A very tedious day of yoyoing
up and down on poorly defined fire trail. Rather hot again and the
snakes came out to play. With all the leaf litter and fallen debris
around you literally are right on top of them before they decide to
move. The climb up here was spectacular. Very steep, I was on all
fours at one point, but great views of the next day and all the back
to Hotham.

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The Razor

Taken from summit of The Viking. One hell of a climb to the top of The Viking- I am completely done in - took 3 hrs from Barry Saddle

The chute to get up here

Reminds me of Ians Wollemi trip, And then I lost the official track and needed to find my own route though the final cliff line. Definitely one to put on your list.

Barrys Saddle water tank

Full to over flowing but a little murky.

The Viking towering above Barrys Saddle

East Rileywater tank

As per Sisemans update page there is no roof for collection. That said it is over half full at present. Guess it would be fine treated.

Day 20

34k +1400 -1600 now camped on Mt Selwyn at 911 004 . Glorious day
with temp approx 20. First 10k was a road bash, then it went off
track for 7k to follow the Great Dividing range. Only problem with
that is that it is up and down like a yoyo! After that it has been
rough fire trail but still big rises and falls so the total for the
day is one of the biggest I can recall. No wonder I feel a bit weary.
Managed to find water at the end of the day so I am set for the next
36 hrs even if I see no more water. Made the pack heavy though-figure
it tipped 15kg getting up here. Have decided I clearly like high camps
- as I seem to seldom camp next to water source.
Off to see the Viking tomorrow.

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KayZed BBOG Nom #2

Camera carry case. Attachs with Hook and loop to the pack strap. Camera is instantly available for say a snap of a snake that has caught you by suprise! Spare battery for camera and phone are also in there for quick replacement as needed.

Are we nearly there yet?

A good feeling to have broken the back of this and be on the home stretch. On the left upright post you may be able to just make out some black handwritten comments. They say 'water 700m down overgrown fire trail'. It was spot on. A little oasis of green with a 20cm stream gurgling away merrily in the middle. Even had a resident duck in there somewhere. This is the Selwyn Creek Road water as per Sisemans guide book. Keep in mind there was a big thunderstorm 3 days ago so it may not always be flowing.

Clare can you ID this guy?

in the shadow so hard to see. Has a pale yellow belly.and about a meter long.

Snowgum Graveyard

These guys really got whacked. Hardly a sign of regrowth. Very dry country and all of sudden the flies are out in force.

Destination for next few days.

The range in the far distance contains The Razor, The Viking, The Crosscut Saw etc. Time for some breakfast and a chance to enjoy this view I slogged up for. More like 300m actually.

Aren't they sods routing the track over The Twins.

It drops back down to the same fire trail on the other side. Hotham left of the post, Feathertop far left.

Yipes!

Can you the little yellow trail marker 3-4m left of the fire trail?

Just checked the topo. Yep, straight up this feature called "The Twins"- 300m

Diamantina Refuge

With the Razorback and Mt Feathertop in background.

Whippetman, Spud, Tim

For your AAWT will you go over the main range per Siseman or via
Charlottes Pass? If main range keep an eye open for my sunglasses
that made a bid for freedom someplace around Mt Tate. I seem to have
had a lot of gear on the escape committee including tent pegs, insect
head net and toothpaste. Just praying the topo map isn't tunneling
right now!

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Whippetman

As you can see my Bogong experience was different to yours. We could
see it clearly from Kosci and it would have been great to see the
reverse. Next time I guess. I think the fire danger is past now, Dad
is keeping an eye open for any fires via the web, and passing them on.
Looking forward to this next section.

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Day 19

0k - rest day at Mt Hotham in a ski lodge. Guess where I spent the day after a morning in the sun at the local cafe? The next section covers a spectacular ridge notorious for lack of water. With naming like Razor, Viking, Crosscut Saw, Speculation, Despair and Buggery, I know I am in for an interesting few days - bring it on!

KayZed's Best Bit of Gear (BBOG) Nominations

For any number of reasons there are pieces of gear that you just wouldn't be without or impress you. I'm going to nominate some of mine for fun. BBOG #1 - What on Earth! One of these saved our bacon on an infamous Cedar Creek trip, and I have carried one ever since. I've used it all but the two nights I used the stove. 40cm of 5mm tube for bringing a fire back to life instantly or keeping a damp fire alive. Best 13g I carry - stores in the bottom of the billy. Yours for 9.95 plus p+p (or pop into Bunnings on the way home)

Day 18

42k +/-900m

Another marathon day. I wonder if a pub, a cooked meal, hot shower and a soft warm bed had anything to do with that?

Photo shows major intersection of ski pole tracks in the middle of Bogong High Plains at Pole 333. I reckon this confluence explains the magnetic anomaly at nearby Mt Jim!

As I had walked this area just at Christmas, I could get a hoof along today. Just as well, as the start of the day was brutal with a temp of 1-2C and 50k winds. I was happy to have packed 2 hats and a storm proof jacket. Improvisation saved my fingers from freezing.

By 1000 the track lost some altitude and headed into sheltered territory, the temp picked up to 7-8C and it was a great day to be out there. Finished at Mt Loch car park by 1900, then walked down to the pub with the drop box for a decent meal. I am staying at the Marouka Lodge, cost $35/night self catering. It is not always open over summer. The best option is to contact 'The General' which is the pub, PO, and general store all rolled into one and see what lodges are open. 03 5759 3523

Clare found and used this website for Hotham accommodation.


I feel almost human again after a shower and clean clothes.

Yesterdays Game Result

The Blackberry Management team sought an urgent rescheduling of the
venue yesterday complaining about the freezing conditions, high
altitude and vicious winds. The World Entity for Sinister Nasty
Aggressive Grabs (WE SNAG) upheld the venue location late last night.
KayZed wins by default due to failure of opposition to field a team.
There will be no play today while discussions continue.

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There is a pub and a bed waiting for me over there someplace.

Mt Hotham here we come.

Marked by Com tower with resort to the left.

A guy could get used to this!

Vicparks in no hurry to replace their signs

Not sure it can be read but the distances are still in miles.

Ultralight Rule 1

Every item must have more than one use. My hands were freezing even in fleece gloves. It worked perfectly.

Wallaces Hut

Built 1889 the oldest of the VIC huts. Look but light no fires.

After a dubious start

The cloud lifted, I dropped into shelter from the wind and this aqueduct is pleasant walking spent looking for Trout

Bit wild out here today

1C and blowing hard .

Day 17

33k +1600 -1500 From Mt Wills via Bogong to Ropers Hut- pictured. This is a gem of a hut that can easily be visited as a day walk from Falls Creek. The original was destroyed in 2003. This one is brand new with the official opening just in Feb. it still smells fresh and new. Beautiful construction in traditional style and materials. A very long day today and full on. On the upside I finally got the measure of the Blackberries. The score today - Blackberries, 3 trouser snags and one of them an own goal. KayZed, 5 handfuls to eat on the go and a full ziplock bag for breakfast today and tomorrow.

Hunker Down Rocks

At Christmas Mark, Jenny, David, Melinda, Clare and I went to climb Mt Bogong from Ropers Hut. A big day - 12 hrs.

As we cleared the tree line above Cleve Cole Hut we got hammered by gale force winds and we tried to get shelter here behind these small rocks, while putting on more clothes.

It was so wild at Christmas, that 3 of us turned back at this point and the other 3 turned back after another 3-400m.

How about this for regrowth?

Fortunately a substantial path has been cleared down T Spur to Big River. Imaginative with their names around here, huh!

Made it

Summit of Mt Bogong,1986m and highest in VIC. weather today was nearly identical to Christmas. Temp was 1C at the top with 40-50 kph wind chill on top. visibility varied from 10k to 1 snow pole, 40m. Not as wild as Christmas as I wasn't getting blown of my feet this time.

Never seen this in a hut till here

A gas cooker and even a shower.

Inside Cleve Cole

Kitchen sink but strangely water supply not connected to tap.

Even the outhouse is substantial.

Cleve Cole Hut

3.5k from Mt Bogong is a welcome refuge just under the tree line. a very substantial ski lodge. Just what I needed for lunch after a very cold trip to the summit.

Day 16

19k +1400m -500m

Now at Mt Wills Hut toasty warm with a couple of other people up for the weekend. Just as well I am inside, as the weather is filthy outside.

The rain caught me at my food drop with everything spread out in the open. Fortunately Clare and I had found an amazing burnt out Gum by the side of the road when we dropped the food off earlier. The burnt out gum took my pack, the food drop and me and kept us all dry.

The thunder storm really let loose as I climbed to Mt Wills. My new Montane Quickfire wet weather jacket was perfect and the fire was on in the hut when I arrived. Really nice modern hut. Hoping the weather eases for tomorrow as I'm heading for Mt Bogong

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Mt Bogong hidden in the mist

Hoping it clears in the next couple of hours. it is cold and blowing but not as bad as Christmas - yet!

Far Side of the Mountain

What a find was this tree.

I was at the Omeo HW drop box when the rain started. I needed shelter in a hurry, when I remembered this burnt out tree close to the road, that Clare and I had found weeks ago. It is totally burnt out inside to a height of 5m and the wall is only 1 inch thick in one spot but it is alive and well.

The space inside was at least a square meter. Magic! The title is from a children's book about a boy that runs away from home and shelters in a burnt out tree for months.

Even comes with running water and a kitchen sink

Man it is wild outside. Must be blowing 40 knots in the gusts.

Mt Wills Hut

Modern clean and tidy. Only 4k from the road. I wonder if the 500m climb to reach it explains the sparse number of log entries.

How good was this!

Awesome. Made yesterday all seem worth while.