Nigel Christmas Australian Alps Walking Track Spring 2006 Walhalla to Tharwa

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Friday 13^th October Day 13

Another long day, mainly on fire trails. I went from Barry Saddle to Mount Murray Hut Site Saddle, approximately 27.5 km. Some pretty consistent climbing throughout. Was a very ugly day vision wise as all of the country was burnt out in the 2003 bush fires and the majority of the big trees are dead. Therefore there is only a few of the large trees which have re-sprouted and the rest are only 1-2m high. It made for unpleasant walking as sun was always on you and the day was becoming humid, I suspect rain is on its way. Anyway only around 10km to hit the Alpine Rd and find Mum and Dad tomorrow; it should be 1.5 days rest which I feel I need.

124 On Mt Selwyn looking south at 2003 fire damage.

125 A few km short of Mt Murray at track junction.

126 Heading towards the Twins. Mt Hotham in the distance.

127 On top of the Twins Mt St Bernard and Mt Hotham in the distance.

Saturday 14^th October Day 14

Woke up and it was raining lightly. Decided to wait a while and managed to pack everything up in a break from the rain. Glad I didn’t have to go and look for water. There was some reasonable climbing and a large descent before ‘The Twins’. The climb and descent of these was abrupt. The walk after this to the Mt Hotham Rd was around 3km and this went quickly. I tried to hitch a lift standing in the rain at Mt St Bernard and was lucky with the third vehicle. Dan, a rock layer (summer work in Mt Hotham) from Omeo was heading to a friend’s place in Myrtleford. I ended up using his phone after I explained my parents were either at Harrietville or Porepunkah. He dropped me off at the ‘Porepunkah Pines’. I was very thankful for this and it also saved a long wait to be picked up after walking to the Mt Hotham village. I was there around 11:30am. Peter and Benita Carter whom I have not seen for many years were there as well (out riding up Mt Buffalo with Mum). It was good to see Dad and Rohan initially and, the others later. First agenda was stripping off and having a shower and putting on clean clothes. The soap and incredibly soft and hot water was bliss. I basically sat around and talked, had a few beers/red wine and roast lamb for dinner (my choice). Spoke to Caroline (missed me greatly as did I). It was interesting with Peter and Benita as they had both walked many sections of the track/areas that I had. I slept very poorly in the bed that night.

Sunday 15^th October Day 15

My rest day. I couldn’t help but rise early and went for a walk. The caravan park has changed greatly and the river has been cleared of trees and blackberries. It is looking good. I had breakfast twice, the latter being bacon and eggs (the only meal I cooked) with toast and tomato sauce: one happy Nigel.

Rohan and Geoff went out riding so Mum and I went into Bright to get a few things and something for dinner. Mum bought me a far superior liner for my sleeping bag (thanks Mum). We had a coffee and got a chicken to roast for dinner (my choice again) and a couple of bottles of red.

I resorted the clothes and food from the “food drop” so all was ready to pack for tomorrow. Rohan stayed for dinner and then left and we then checked to see if the bottles of red needed emptying (they did). It was a good night. I wish Caroline had been here.

Monday 16^th October Day 16

Rose before 7am and had breakfast and packed everything up (bloody pack has grown again). Dad dropped Mum and I at Mt St Bernard and we started to walk to Hotham Village. Very pleasant weather and easy walking with no pack on my back. Dad met us about half way down and walked up with us. We had a coffee and potato chips (packet ones) at the “Big D”: $17.60 (thanks Dad) they didn’t miss us as usual. I left Mum and Dad at the Mt Loch car park and proceeded down the track. I went through to Cope Hut (approximately 27.5 km for the day). It was a very easy day with easy walking for a change. I decided to stay in the hut despite rats due to the lack of flat ground outside, and because there were steel locker to secure my food. This hut has running water to it from a collection well on a spring; very up market.

128 After a rest day Mt Hotham cairn pictured.

129 Mum and Dad on Mt Hotham.

130 Charles Derrick memorial cairn with Mt Feathertop in background.

131 Looking back towards Hotham Heights.

132 Dibbin Hut.

133 Just on the Bogong High Plains looking back at Mt Hotham resort.

134 Just upon the Bogong High Plains.

135 Just upon the Bogong High Plains looking at Mt Bogong.

136 Bogong High Plains.

137 Cope Hut.

138 Cope Hut.

139 Cope Hut.

Tuesday 17^th October Day 17

I didn’t hear the rats too much crawling around overnight although I was glad that I had made all my food inaccessible to them. I left Cope Hut at 6.30am. It had been nice having stumps to sit on and not having to set up and collapse the tent. The walking was pretty boring in a lot of ways; it reminded me of the endless plains in the movie “High Plains Drifter”. It was also as windy as buggery across the plains. I also saw “Seldom Seen Inn’ or Wallace Hut and the remains of Wilkinson Lodge and Roper Hut (a few of the many claimed by the 2003 bushfires). The descent of the plains to Big River was approximately 700 metres. I have set up camp here on the north bank as I felt pretty buggered today. I slept most of the afternoon.

It was pretty easy to see why the Bogong High Plains were not discovered until 1850-60 after today’s descent; no one would have believed there could have been anything but mountains up there. Traveled 19kms today.

140 Wallace Hut.

141 Wallace Hut information.

142 Rocky Valley Storage.

143 Near Mt Nelse looking back towards Mt Hotham.

144 Mt Bogong with Big River valley descent/ascent in between.

145 Mt Bogong summit on right, cairn is visible.

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