Day 1
The first day of our intended four day hike around Mt
Feathertop commenced with a leisurely drive, sans three others who had pulled
out due to varying circumstances. Before leaving Melbourne Mr Dishwasher (aka
our professional photographer) had an emergency stop to pick up fresh supplies
of Krispy Crème donuts. I wasn’t convinced that this was a good hearty
breakfast for our hike but Mr Dishwasher definitely thought so.
Our destination was Smoko, located a few kilometres out from
Harrietville where we would make our decision on whether to base camp there for
the night or commence our hike on the same day. After nearly 4 hours of
driving, we entered the small township (if you can call a few houses scattered
around that) of Smoko. After unsuccessfully looking for the dirt road turn off
to the camp site next to the Ovens River, we turned into a road which looked
like it could be it. After 30 metres, a bunch of kids appeared, wandering about
looking at us strangely, probably thinking “why are you here?” We were
wondering the same until their father came out and helpfully directed us to the
correct turn off further down the road. We discovered the signs to the camp
grounds had been removed and was only obvious from two poles marking the
entrance. After a short drive down some pot holed road we arrived at the shady
grassy camp site serviced with a pit toilet. Miss Marathon then decided it was
an opportune time to do a number two whilst the rest of the group made an
executive decision that we would commence our hike to Feathertop on the same
day rather than spend a night in this boring uninteresting camp ground.
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| Beginning of Bungalow Spur hike - Photo courtesy Mr Dishwasher |
We arrived at the base of Bungalow Spur, the beginning of
our hike not long after. After repacking our packs and unwittingly agreeing to
carry Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp’s trangia which tipped my pack to over
20kgs, we started off at around 3.15pm. Our destination tonight was to the Old
Mt Feathertop campsite which was burnt down in a bushfire, located
approximately 7km up. The track along Bungalow Spur follows a narrow gradual
climb, much less steep than I had remembered it when I had completed the hike
around 15 years ago. Along the way I came across a young brown snake sunbaking
on the side of the track. By now Mr Dishwasher had surpassed Miss Take a Photo
at Every Opp with his photography, his fingers working overtime.
We arrived at the Old Feathertop Hut Site, thinking this
was our destination. Upon closer inspection, it was evident we had another 300
metres or so to go. The main camp site is quite large, with enough spots for
over 10 tents. It is sheltered amongst the snow gums, with a spring located
about 200 metres to the east. Unfortunately there is no pit toilet here, with
the closest toilet at Federation Hut located another half an hour from here. We
managed to find a relatively clear spot for our tents until 15 minutes later we
were joined by a rowdy group of five who pitched their tents too close to us. After
a big dinner and a bottle of wine we settled into bed.
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| Old Feathertop Hut Site |
I was woken in the middle of the night by Mr Dishwasher
wanting to go dig a hole. I was concerned that he might get lost or attacked by
drop bears and hoop snakes but he assured me he was fine to go about his
business. After 10 minutes of no return I thought he might have got lost so I
ventured out to cast a homing light for Mr Dishwasher. Having reassured myself
that he was not lost, I set my light to red and flashing and then went back to
sleep.
Day 2
I was woken early on day 2 from our noisy neighbours – it
felt like I was back in Bourke Street Mall with the loud chatter around us. Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp noted that we
should remember their faces so we could avoid camping next to them for the next
leg – luckily for us they were headed the opposite direction!
Our initial destination today was to Federation Hut, about
1km or 30 minutes away where we would leave our packs to summit Mt Feathertop.
After a very leisurely breakfast we left at around 10.30am. We were passed
along the way by many runners competing in the Four Peaks challenge, which
inspired Miss Marathon to rally us to join for next year. I had my doubts about
running four peaks (Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop, Mt Misty and Hotham) over four
days – it just didn’t sound like a fun holiday to me.
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| View of Federation Hut |
Upon reaching Federation Hut we climbed Mt Feathertop
without our packs. We were regularly encouraged by many runners coming back
down from Feathertop to keep going , little did they know we actually had not
run up the mountain that morning. On the way up we were buffeted by strong
easterly winds which made the day a lot colder. Mr Dishwasher decided to take
photos at every opportunity, whereas Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp and Miss
Marathon were no way to be seen, having decided to attempt the summit at a
faster pace. One could be mistaken that
they were also competing in the Four Peaks challenge with the cracking pace
they set.
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| Mt Feathertop summit - Photo courtesty Mr Dishwasher |
Following lunch back at Federation Hut we headed along the
Razorback to the Diamantina Spur turnoff, taking approximately an hour to reach
there. The track down Diamantina Spur was going to be steep and long, taking
over 3 hours to get to the bottom. Along the way Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp
threatened to stab me with her hiking pole when she realised we had to come
back the same way the next day. Not only was she spitting chips but she also
promised numerous injuries to my body – I guessed she should have looked at the
map more closely before agreeing to go down this trail. I did say that this
walk would be memorable, hopefully for the right reasons.
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| Diamantina Spur |
After a hard tiring walk where everyone was feeling the
pressure on their knees and feet, we eventually reached the bottom of
Diamantina Spur, much to everyone’s relief. After a much earned rest next to
the stream, we continued on, aiming for Blair’s Hut. The hut is located across
the river accessed from a non-signed posted path about 400 metres before.
Unfortunately for us we missed this turn off and could not find a way across to
the camp site. After backtracking to this turn off we decided to head to Horse
yard flats instead, hoping for a quieter campsite.
After another 20 minutes of walking and all been thoroughly
tired, we reached Horse yard flats next to a large river. We were fortunate to
find the camp ground was only occupied by one other couple so we settled into a
fast dinner. Mr Dishwasher and I had our obligatory wash whilst Miss Take a
Photo at Every Opp and Miss Marathon decided to be both stinky for the night by
skipping a wash. I was glad to not be sleeping in the same tent as them and I
insisted they pitch their tent at least 3 metres away.
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| Horseyard Flats Camp Site |
Day 3
Our plan today was to head back to Federation Hut via
Diamantina Spur. None of us were looking forward to the big climb up. I had
reminded the others how hard the climb was the last time I was here, although
this time round we weren’t carrying bed sheets, cast iron fry pan, potatoes,
steak and corn. The first hour of the climb up Diamantina Spur was steep and
slow going, but Miss Marathon walked up the mountain like it was a leisurely
walk. Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp had decided to save her strength for the
climb up instead of photography.
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| Diamantina Spur - Photo courtesy Mr Dishwasher |
We stopped about half way up for lunch and were nearly eaten
by the numerous ants for lunch ourselves. After lunch we continued our climb up
and within minutes Mr Dishwasher and I were left behind by the two girls. They
were never to be seen again until we reached Federation Hut, some hours later.
Apparently we were so slow that Miss Marathon even managed to have a number
two, which came out in marathon time that she didn’t dig a hole. I reckon it
was more because she did not want to use her nails to dig a hole as I had the
trowel.
Instructions on how to be a good camping citizen when
doing number two’s in the bush
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| View of Mt Feathertop from Diamantina Spur - Photo courtesy Mr Dishwasher |
When we eventually reached Federation Hut we found that Miss
Marathon and Miss Take a Photo at Every Opp had pitched their tent in a
location close to the hut. We decided that wasn’t a good idea and found an
alternate spot at least 50 metres away from them with open views to the
surrounds – it wasn’t because the girls smelt so bad, it was because that was
the best spot we could find. After pitching our tent the girls decided to
invade our privacy by relocating their tent 2 metres from us! I realised we
must have been fantastic company since the girls followed us so closely, or
maybe they were scared of something.
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| Federation Hut Camp Site |
After dinner we realised that the open views offered by
where we pitched the tent was too windy. In fact the temperature had dropped considerably,
and the winds were picking up. Mr Dishwasher and I decidedly it was best we
moved the tent to a more sheltered spot away from the girls, which we did. Within
5 minutes the girls followed suit and moved their tent closer to us again – by
now I was contemplating placing a restraining order on the girls to stop them
stalking us.
Day 4
After a windy night followed by a noisy morning from our
bogan neighbours who decided to wake everyone up by their bad singing, we had
no choice but to wake up. Even though Mr
Dishwasher and I had a half hour start on the girls, they overtook us within 15
minutes on the trail. Either we were slow or Miss Marathon had decided to start
her Four Peaks training one year early. The walk back down Bungalow Spur to the
car park was an easy 3 hours walks.
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| Photo courtesy Mr Dishwasher |
