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--- 194904 [2016/06/13 13:43] – kennettj
+++ 194904 [2016/06/19 20:57] – [Impressions of a Trip To The Bogong High Plains] kennettj
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 On Mt. Mackay we found a fire watcher, in his little cabin surrounded by glass windows. The Victorian State Electricity Commission employs him. We were very interested in a map just completed by the Commission - on which by the way a correct survey has proved most of the peaks higher then shown on the available maps - and had grand views of a panoramic nature aided by his field glasses.
-For the benefit of those who do not know the area at all, these "mountains" do not entail any climbing as we think of the word. You are up on the high plains and the tops simply rise out of the plains, or else you walk out along ridges with beautiful views on either side, and in the case of Feathertop and fainter tracks lead you almost to the trigs. Mt. Bogong was the exception end after dropping about 1000 feet from Roper Hut you rise about 2,500 on to the mountain to the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut, and from there the Summit is a couple of miles away and, I think, 700 feet higher. Many times we dropped our packs beside the track and wandered off to visit a trig. We also made base camps here ::11.d there - Diamantina, Tawonga, Cope, etc. - and did a tremendous lot of walking without packs. For the "not so tigerish" that is the ideal.
+For the benefit of those who do not know the area at all, these "mountains" do not entail any climbing as we think of the word. You are up on the high plains and the tops simply rise out of the plains, or else you walk out along ridges with beautiful views on either side, and in the case of Feathertop and fainter tracks lead you almost to the trigs. Mt. Bogong was the exception end after dropping about 1000 feet from Roper Hut you rise about 2,500 on to the mountain to the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut, and from there the Summit is a couple of miles away and, I think, 700 feet higher. Many times we dropped our packs beside the track and wandered off to visit a trig. We also made base camps here and there - Diamantina, Tawonga, Cope, etc. - and did a tremendous lot of walking without packs. For the "not so tigerish" that is the ideal.
-Views are extensive - away to Kosciusko and the Cobberas, Mount Wellington end lots of other peaks, and, down the valleys to the Ovens, Ki'ewa end other rivers. On,the High Plains, in Pretty Valley and Rocky Valley, are fast running little streams which wind their tortuous way between the brilliant green mosses. and low growing alpine type plants.
+Views are extensive - away to Kosciusko and the Cobberas, Mount Wellington end lots of other peaks, and, down the valleys to the Ovens, Kiewa end other rivers. On,the High Plains, in Pretty Valley and Rocky Valley, are fast running little streams which wind their tortuous way between the brilliant green mosses. and low growing alpine type plants.
-One of our most delightful camps was at Tawonga Hut. We pitched our tents in front of the hut, among snow gums on a grassy bank, with a lovely stream racing by. We were encircled by grassy hills on which. the cattle grazed.
+One of our most delightful camps was at Tawonga Hut. We pitched our tents in front of the hut, among snow gums on a grassy bank, with a lovely stream racing by. We were encircled by grassy hills on which the cattle grazed.
-We were rather interested in the activities of the ski clubs in regard to their huts. Obviously, they have a more sympathetic Government Department in Victoria and are able to obtain the necessary materials - the club members supplying the labour. A group of University boys were building a hut at Hotham - the lower half of local stone. Near Cope Hut the Victorian Ski club have taken over the disused S.E.C. cottage and with renovations now in progress it will be an excellent ski hut. Provision for about ten bunks, kitchen with fuel stove, bathroom with bath and inside lavatory, common room with lovely stone fireplace and a tank inserted to provide a hot water service. On Mount Bogong we found Skippy and Tony Beveridge (other Bushwalkers have met this cheery pair) who with the aid of Mr. Beveridge Senior were re-erecting the Summit Hut which had been demolished by the snow last year. It looked quite a job and they were working hard. Johnston's Hut near Mount Nelson has been taken over by a local ski club, so don't race there in bad weather expecting shelter, DS it is locked. , You would have to sit up all night on the porch! There is very pleasant camping among small trees in the vicinity of this hut with a grand view across to Mt. Wills.
+We were rather interested in the activities of the ski clubs in regard to their huts. Obviously, they have a more sympathetic Government Department in Victoria and are able to obtain the necessary materials - the club members supplying the labour. A group of University boys were building a hut at Hotham - the lower half of local stone. Near Cope Hut the Victorian Ski club have taken over the disused S.E.C. cottage and with renovations now in progress it will be an excellent ski hut. Provision for about ten bunks, kitchen with fuel stove, bathroom with bath and inside lavatory, common room with lovely stone fireplace and a tank inserted to provide a hot water service. On Mount Bogong we found Skippy and Tony Beveridge (other Bushwalkers have met this cheery pair) who with the aid of Mr. Beveridge Senior were re-erecting the Summit Hut which had been demolished by the snow last year. It looked quite a job and they were working hard. Johnston's Hut near Mount Nelson has been taken over by a local ski club, so don't race there in bad weather expecting shelter, as it is locked. You would have to sit up all night on the porch! There is very pleasant camping among small trees in the vicinity of this hut with a grand view across to Mt. Wills.
-In conclusion I would strongly recommend parties to follow our itinerary in taking a car to Hotham, rather than climbing up from Harrietville to Feathertop,as so many parties do, carrying heavy, packs and starting your holiday so weary that most of the savour goes out of your first week. Also our leader (Harry Ellis) organised so that we collected food at Rocky Valley for the second week. A good thing.
+In conclusion I would strongly recommend parties to follow our itinerary in taking a car to Hotham, rather than climbing up from Harrietville to Feathertop, as so many parties do, carrying heavy, packs and starting your holiday so weary that most of the savour goes out of your first week. Also our leader (Harry Ellis) organised so that we collected food at Rocky Valley for the second week. A good thing.
 PART II.
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 The warmest day of the trip dawned as I rose at 5.30 and, stepping over the prone bodies of two University boys who had joined us the night before, proceeded to make the morning tea. The said boys having refused my tent, thinking it would be too cold, had spent a miserable night on the earth floor and were not feeling the best for the three or four hours climb before us. However after some tea and breakfast life assumed a less doleful aspect and Bob, who was a bright type, became his own chirpy self.
-It was a lovely morning and the change that had been predicted by some stockman seemed most unlikely as we set off down the ridge to the Big River. The track was well graded making it an enjoyable descent, through some lovely timber. In view of the long hot climb Edna and I decided to have a dip. Then the photographers decided they wanted some snaps first, so after much arranging and altering of positions, we getting colder and colder, our plunge was achieved and we were well and truly cooled down when we emerged from the icy water's. Passing an old campsite we started r up the 'Tn spur. We had considered camping on the river instead, of at Ropers Hut but on looking down from Tim's Lookout it looked so precipitous that we doubted whether we would find a flat space to camp. And so it proved except for this one delightful spot across the river. The sun blazed down on the ridge and there was no breeze just as we could have done with it, high winds having prevailed most of the time previously. However we came in sight of the waterfall much sooner than we expected, having been told it was a four hour climb. The creek next appeared and after copious draughts of water we proceeded up the valley to the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut set amidst trees at the head of the valley. It was charming, built of stone of the loveliest colours; a shower, which was operated by a pump, was a decided asset. The bunks were long shelves from wall to wall the width tfAl'ing the length of one's body. Finding the hut was already occupied the four of us decided to camp out, and just as well, as two men arrived at night and another two in the middle of the night, making 13 in all, although, according to records in the visitors' books, that is nothing to what they pack in at times. The two former men we had seen in the distance the day before going on to Tim's Ridge. In the interim they had lost themselves and had a really gruelling triT,d. The previous occupants proved to be Skippy and her husband and his father, who were rebuilding the Summit Hut, We had seen her name e lot in the various books and came to the conclusion she spent most of her time on the Alps. She wished to be remembered to Roley and party, Roley particularly having endeared himself to her by damper making (or was it scones?).
+It was a lovely morning and the change that had been predicted by some stockman seemed most unlikely as we set off down the ridge to the Big River. The track was well graded making it an enjoyable descent, through some lovely timber. In view of the long hot climb Edna and I decided to have a dip. Then the photographers decided they wanted some snaps first, so after much arranging and altering of positions, we getting colder and colder, our plunge was achieved and we were well and truly cooled down when we emerged from the icy water's. Passing an old campsite we started up the spur. We had considered camping on the river instead of at Ropers Hut but on looking down from Tim's Lookout it looked so precipitous that we doubted whether we would find a flat space to camp. And so it proved except for this one delightful spot across the river. The sun blazed down on the ridge and there was no breeze just as we could have done with it, high winds having prevailed most of the time previously. However we came in sight of the waterfall much sooner than we expected, having been told it was a four hour climb. The creek next appeared and after copious draughts of water we proceeded up the valley to the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut set amidst trees at the head of the valley. It was charming, built of stone of the loveliest colours; a shower, which was operated by a pump, was a decided asset. The bunks were long shelves from wall to wall the width and the length of one's body.
-Next morning we woke, alas, to the dismal sound of rain. This was most unpropitious as we were looking forward to glorious vieWs from High 30gong (6,500 feet). I thought the weather Gods had behaved rather capriciously. It should have come on one of the rest days. A thick mist finally developed, blotting out everything, so we went by the snow poles fearit decided to cut out West Peak, having been warned of the danger in a mist. Still, when we reached the cairn the Gods relented a trifle, and lifting the veil for a few minutes, flung their scarves of grey over deep ravine and narrow cleft, revealing enchanting views of the valley thousands of feet below. One sc ,med to be in a high remote land enclosed from the rest of the world.
+Finding the hut was already occupied the four of us decided to camp out, and just as well, as two men arrived at night and another two in the middle of the night, making 13 in all, although, according to records in the visitors' books, that is nothing to what they pack in at times. The two former men we had seen in the distance the day before going on to Tim's Ridge. In the interim they had lost themselves and had a really gruelling time. The previous occupants proved to be Skippy and her husband and his father, who were rebuilding the Summit Hut. We had seen her name a lot in the various books and came to the conclusion she spent most of her time on the Alps. She wished to be remembered to Roley and party, Roley particularly having endeared himself to her by damper making (or was it scones?).
-The staircase - our, way of descent - was a steep bare rocky ridge to Bivouac hut,- but from then on it was timbered with some magnificent trees. The scent of the blue gums rose like incense carrying such an essence of healing and health that I felt I would like to go on being bathed in it for over. I couldn't help wondering how much of all the beautiful bush we hod seen would still be there in 50 years time. On the way down we met the packers who were taking materials to the Summit Rut. One is generally known as Frankie Sin9tra due to his singing (or should i say crooning) abilities. They said we might use their camp for lunch, for which we were very thankful on account of the rain, and a merry. 'lunch was enjoyed to
+Next morning we woke, alas, to the dismal sound of rain. This was most unpropitious as we were looking forward to glorious views from High Bogong (6,500 feet). I thought the weather Gods had behaved rather capriciously. It should have come on one of the rest days. A thick mist finally developed, blotting out everything, so we went by the snow poles and decided to cut out West Peak, having been warned of the danger in a mist. Still, when we reached the cairn the Gods relented a trifle, and lifting the veil for a few minutes, flung their scarves of grey over deep ravine and narrow cleft, revealing enchanting views of the valley thousands of feet below. One seemed to be in a high remote land enclosed from the rest of the world.
-the accompaniment of a few tit-bits read out of ''Man" by Boblli
+The staircase - our, way of descent - was a steep bare rocky ridge to Bivouac hut - but from then on it was timbered with some magnificent trees. The scent of the blue gums rose like incense carrying such an essence of healing and health that I felt I would like to go on being bathed in it for over. I couldn't help wondering how much of all the beautiful bush we had seen would still be there in 50 years time. On the way down we met the packers who were taking materials to the Summit Hut. One is generally known as Frankie Sinatra due to his singing (or should I say crooning) abilities. They said we might use their camp for lunch, for which we were very thankful on account of the rain, and a merry lunch was enjoyed to
+the accompaniment of a few tit-bits read out of "Man" by Bob.
 Now we were on the way to Roper's Hut the second, with a mountain creek threading its way through the forest and companionably crossing the road many times as much as to say here I am again. By
-now we had walked out of the rain. We arrived at the end of the ridge where we thought the hut should be but there was no sign of it. However, Harry, with true intuition, turned off the road and crossed a creek and there in the distance was our refuge, and refuge it proved to be, for a perfect deluge descended in the night. But, in spite of a few discrepancies in the walls, we were quite dry and snug. The boys had gone on, having bade us goodbye for the third, or was it the fourth time. Morning dawned very watery and the creek had risen considerably so I thought I would cross on a narrow slippery log by straddling it; not so easy I found - what with my pack swaying an,1 overbalancing me, a nasty spike to manouvre over, and some interfering thorn branches to negotiate I nearly had an unwanted cold bath. However between spasms of laughter and with encouraging words from Ed and Marion I managed to make the grade and we wended our way to T_:wonga. After a dinner at the hotel - I wouldn't say a hearty one - we decided to gc to Bogong as our bus for Albury did not leave till 5 p n. The bus traverses' the gorges of the Kiewa Fiver, passing Mt. Beauty township, which is still in the course of construction. As one rises into the mountains the views are magnificent, reminding me of the Otira Gorge in New Zealand. One looks down hundreds of feet to the river threading its way like a silver ribbon through the mazes of green; one is lot in admiration at the work of the engineers in bridging those immense gorges with:the power, lines flung as it 'were from cliff to cliff. Suddenly as we came round a bend the 'little township of Bogong burst upon our gaze, a perfect little gem nestling in the mountain about 2,000 feet above sea level. There not being much flat ground it has all been terraced and this enhances the aspect of the green-roofed prefabricated cottages. To the right is a large lake which has been dammed up,and hillsides and spare ground have been planted with English trees. It must be a picture in the autumn. It would mal,:c a delightful tourist resort in the future, but at present the men working for the State Electricity Commission are housed there. The scheme is to cost 23 million and employs between 2,000 and 3,000 men, a very large number being at the construction camps of Rocky and Pretty Valleys. There are tremendous tunnels, concrete' races are being run along near the tops of the mountain ridges to catch the snow water, many dams are being constructed and several valleys on the Alps will be flooded, thus enhancing its beauty. This all to free Victoria from the bondage of coal. What a pity our Snowy River Scheme is not as advanced.
+now we had walked out of the rain. We arrived at the end of the ridge where we thought the hut should be but there was no sign of it. However, Harry, with true intuition, turned off the road and crossed a creek and there in the distance was our refuge, and refuge it proved to be, for a perfect deluge descended in the night. But, in spite of a few discrepancies in the walls, we were quite dry and snug. The boys had gone on, having bade us goodbye for the third, or was it the fourth time. Morning dawned very watery and the creek had risen considerably so I thought I would cross on a narrow slippery log by straddling it; not so easy I found - what with my pack swaying and overbalancing me, a nasty spike to manouvre over, and some interfering thorn branches to negotiate I nearly had an unwanted cold bath. However between spasms of laughter and with encouraging words from Ed and Marion I managed to make the grade and we wended our way to Twonga. After a dinner at the hotel - I wouldn't say a hearty one - we decided to go to Bogong as our bus for Albury did not leave till 5 p n. The bus traverses the gorges of the Kiewa River, passing Mt. Beauty township, which is still in the course of construction. As one rises into the mountains the views are magnificent, reminding me of the Otira Gorge in New Zealand. One looks down hundreds of feet to the river threading its way like a silver ribbon through the mazes of green; one is lost in admiration at the work of the engineers in bridging those immense gorges with the power lines flung as it were from cliff to cliff. Suddenly as we came round a bend the little township of Bogong burst upon our gaze, a perfect little gem nestling in the mountain about 2,000 feet above sea level. There not being much flat ground it has all been terraced and this enhances the aspect of the green-roofed prefabricated cottages. To the right is a large lake which has been dammed up,and hillsides and spare ground have been planted with English trees. It must be a picture in the autumn. It would make a delightful tourist resort in the future, but at present the men working for the State Electricity Commission are housed there. The scheme is to cost 23 million and employs between 2,000 and 3,000 men, a very large number being at the construction camps of Rocky and Pretty Valleys. There are tremendous tunnels, concrete races are being run along near the tops of the mountain ridges to catch the snow water, many dams are being constructed and several valleys on the Alps will be flooded, thus enhancing its beauty. This all to free Victoria from the bondage of coal. What a pity our Snowy River Scheme is not as advanced.
 Whilst walking round viewing Bogong whom should we see but Bob once more. I was really beginning to feel he belonged to us, this being our fifth farewell. I was very loath to leave this sylvan spot, especially with a night journey in the train before us, but I suppose contrast gives spice to life.
 ====== Sloshing Through Cradle Mountain Reserve ======