Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- 195503 [2016/01/25 08:42] – tyreless
+++ 195503 [2016/01/25 10:54] – tyreless
@@ Line 174: / Line 174: @@
 We can also help with propaganda leaflets and showings of colour transparencies.
+=====Our Trip To The Bogong High Plains.=====
+- Bon-oh.
-                 OUR TRIP T02,0GONG HIGH PLAINS.
+Firstly, let me introduce you to the members of the trip. Our party consisted of six all told, Tine Koetsia, Grace Aird and Beverley Price, and the boys, Don Mathews, Geof Wagg and myself.
-                                         - Bon-oh.
+Now that we have our starters I can proceed to tell you something of the whereabouts of the Bogong High Plains. They are found about 50 miles south-east of Albury, their average height above sea-level being about 5,600 ft. with several higher peaks: Mt. Bogong (6,506'), Mt. Cope (6,025'), Mt. Loch (6,114') and Mt. Feathertop (6,267'). As to the extent of the High Plains, the northern section is dominated by Mt. Bogong, the southernmost peak is Mt. Hotham, and Mt.Feathertop is on the western boundary. The total length is approximately 26
-    Firstly, let me introduce you to the members of th trap, Our
-r),I.rty consisted of six all told, Tine Koetsia, Grace Aird and Beverle7
-P:-ice, and the boys, Don Mathews, Geof Wagg and myself.
-       that we have our starters I can proceed to tell you solnethine;
-of the whereabouts of the Bogong High Plains. They are fmnd about
-miles south-east of Albury, their average height above sea-level
-being about 5,600 ft. with several higher peaks: Mt. BoFong (6,5061),
-Mt. Cope (6,025?), Mt. Loch (61144') and Mt. Feathertop (6,267'). AN
-to the extent of the High Plains, the northern section is dominated
-by Mt. Bogong, the southernmost peak is Mt. Hotham, and Mt.FeathertoP
-is on the western boundary. The total length is appx=u7i--,tely 26
 miles.
-    Our plan was to climb Mt. Bogong from Tawonga, then proceed soutll
+Our plan was to climb Mt. Bogong from Tawonga, then proceed south to Mt. Hotham, then double back in a NNW direction to Mt. Feathertop, thence down to Harrietville. From Harrietville we planned to have a look at the Mt. Buffalo National Park for a couple of days, then hitch to Albury and home by train. The plan allowed us six days walking on the High Plains.
-to Mt. Hotham, then double back in a NNW direction to Mt. Feathertop,
-thence down to Harrietville. Prom Harrietville we planned*to have c
-look at the Mt. Buffalo National Park for a couple of days, then hitc
-to Albury and home by taro. The plan allowed us six days walking on
-the High Plains.
-    We left Sydney on Christmas night. We will dispense with the
+We left Sydney on Christmas night. We will dispense with the unnecessary details of our train journey to Albury. Our next step was to board a bus to Tawonga. After a certain amount of searching the bus depot was found. Our transport was due to leave at 9.30 a.m. or thereabouts (it turned out to be thereabouts), which gave us 2 1/2 hours to see Albury. It was Boxing Day. The only place open for breakfast was the Railway Refreshment Room. After breakfast a walk down the main street and to the Botanical Gardens gave us time to digest our steak.
-unnecess ary details of our train journey to Albury. Our next step
-was to board a bus to Tawonga. After a certain amount of searching
- the bus depot was found. Our transport was due to leave at 9.30 a.m.
- or thereabouts (it turned out to be thereabouts), which gave us 0
-hours to see Albury. It was Boxing Day. The only place open for
- breakfast was the Railway Refreshment Room. After brco-:-.fast a walk
- down the main street and to the Botanical Gardens gave us time to
-digest our steak.
-     Our bus rolled out of the shed at 9.45 and proceeded very
+Our bus rolled out of the shed at 9.45 and proceeded very cautiously along the main road, with the driver clearing his throat to tell us all about the local sights. "On your left..." he would say, then "On your right..", indicating the numerous attractions that  presented themselves, such as the butter factory and the football ground. His next remark was, whilst crossing the bridge across the
-.
-           IF YOU ARE GOING PLACES
-              CONTACT
-            SCENIC MOTOR TOURS,
-             RAILWAY STEPS
-              KATOOMBA.
-     DAILY TOURS BY PARLOR COACH TO THE WORLD
-     FAMOUS 3ENOLAN CAVES AND ALL BLUE MOUNTAIN
-     SIGHTS.
-     TRANSPORT BY COACHES FOR P.PRTIES OF BUSH-
-     WALKERS TO KANANGRA WALLS, GINKIN OR OTHER
-     SUITABLE POINTS BY ARRANGEMENT.
-     FOR ALL INFORMATION
-         WRITE TO P.O. BOX 60, KATOOMBA.
-            TELEPHONE 60, KATOOMBA.
-cautiously along the main road, with the driver clearing his throat
-to tell us all about the local sights. "On your left..." he would
-say, then "On your right..", indicating the numerous attractions that
-presented themselves, such as the butter factory and the football
-ground. His next remark was, whilst crossing the bridge across the
 Murray River "In a moment you will be in Victoria".
-   Towards midday we had our first glimpse of Mt. Bogong.. It lookor'
+Towards midday we had our first glimpse of Mt. Bogong. It looked exciting from the road towering above all other ridges, and being clear of vegetation it seemed to stand out from the surrounding ridge.
-exciting from the road towering above all othEr ridges, and being
-clear of vegetation it seemed to stand out from the surrounding ridge
-   We reached Tawonga and found it boasted a store and a pub. I
+We reached Tawonga and found it boasted a store and a pub. I didn't see the horse and dog, but it was a friendly place. The local storekeeper gave us all a lecture on how to "tickle" trout. He assured us that more fish are caught this way than any other, that is if one's hook is bitten off by an eel. We had lunch on the banks at the Kiewa River, then some little time was spent taking pictures of Mt. Bogong to the chatter of "There's a good foreground" - "Not much light, is there?" - "Is that the right exposure?" Looking at a map we could see the horrible details that confronted us, meaning, of course, that we had a road bash of 10 miles to the base of the Staircase Ridge which was to be our ascent ridge. "Well, let's get it over with" was the general cry. Don and Tine not being interested in the art of photography went on ahead and set us a most difficult task during the afternoon to catch them. The sun beat mercilessly on our backs as we walked along the road. And we walked and walked. Oh, poor feet on this first day out! At long last we crossed Mountain Creek and spotted a tent on a clear space near the stream, smoke from  the campfire announcing the presence of a billy of boiling water for a cuppa. Although this spot was some 4 miles short of the base of the ridge it was good enough for us, and a swim in the creek settled it. As we cooked the evening meal the sunset gave us a fine display of clouds racing across the sky, propelled by some unseen wind, tinted golden red as they passed through the sun's last rays.
-didn't see the horse and dog, but it was a friendly pl-ioe. The local
-storekeeper gave us all a lecture on how to "tickle" trout, He
-assured us that more fish are caught this way than any other, that
-if one's hook is bitten off by an eel. We had lunch on the banks at
-the Kiewn River, then some little time was spent taking pictu-ces of
-Mt, Bogong to the chatter of "There's a good foreground" - "Not much
-light, is there?" - "Is that the right exposure?" Looki.ig at a map
-we could see the horrible details that confronted us, meaning, of
-course, that we had a road bash of 10 miles to the base of the Stair-
-case Ridge which was to be our ascent ridge. 47011, let's get it
-ov.o with" was the general cry. Don and Tine not being interested 1-
-the art of photography went on ahead and set us a most difficult tas:r
-during the afternoon to catch them. The sun beat merwiessly on ortr
-backs as we walked along the road. And we walked and walked. Oh,
-poor feet on this first day out! At long last we crossed Mountain
-Creek and spotted a tent on a clear space near the stream, smoke from
-the campfire announcing the presence of a billy of boiling water foil
-a cuma. Although this spot was some 4 miles short of the base of
-the ridge it was good enough for us, and a swim in the creek settled
- it. As we cooked the evening mcathe sunset gave us a fine display
-.
-of clouds racing across the sky, propelled by some unseen wind,
+Monday morning found us up at 5 a.m. and away by 7 a.m. We soon got rid of the four miles of road and found ourselves at the base of a ridge. The map showed the Staircase Ridge commencing at the end of the road, and as we were at the end of the road with a track leading up the ridge we presumed it was the Staircase Ridge. Our hard work had now started - 4,500' to climb in 4 miles to the summit. We climbed steadily for 3 hours and lunched in sight of the summit with a mile left to go. The trees had now given way to grassy slopes, as we had passed the timber line. Snow daisies grew in great confusion, and a fine display of colour they gave to the ridge sides. The summit hut stood like a sentinel just below the trig which we reached by 4.30 p.m. Absence of firewood on the bleak mountain top made cooking a longish procedure. As the sun went down the wind arose and the flight of the Bogong moths began - literally millions of these small moths flew round in crazy circles above us.
-tinted golden red as they passe0 through the sun's last rays.
-    Monday morning found us up at 5 a.m. and away by 7 a.m. We soon
+Before continuing I must explain the ridge system: from the summit of Bogong two ridges can be seen leading to the summit, and it was apparent to us, when we looked back, that we had not come up the Staircase Ridge at all. Since the map was made the road has been continued on to the base of the Eskdale Spur, which is about 2 miles past the Staircase Ridge. The ridges are very similar but it is much further by the ridge we took.
-got rid of the four miles of road and found ourselves at the base of
-a ridge. The map showed the Staircase Ridge commencing at the end of
-the road, and as we were at the end of the road with a track leading
-up the ridge we presumed it was the Staircase Ridge. Our hard work
-had now started 4,500' to climb in 4 riles to the summit. We
-climbed steadily for 3 hours and lunched in sight of the summit with
-a mile left to go. The trees had now given way to grassy slopes, as
-we had passed the timber line. Snow daisies grew in great con fusion,
-and a fine display of colour they gave to the ridge sides. The sumrit
-but stood like a sentinel just below the trig which we reached by
-.30 p.m. Absence of firewood on the bleak mountain top made cooking
-a longish procedure. As the sun went down the wind arose and the
-flight of the Bogong moths began - literally millions of these small
-moths flew round in crazy circles above us.
-    Before continuing I must explain the ridge system: from the
+A howling wind was the feature of the night. The intrepid members of the party, Don and Tine, Geof and Grace, slept on the mountain top next to the trig, and were rocked to sleep by the constant flapping of the defiant little tent against the unrelenting wind. The summit hut offered a deceitful shelter to the two remaining members, but alas, how the chill wind penetrated all night.
- summit of Bogong two ridges can be seen leading to the summit, and it
-was apparent to us, when we looked back, that we had not come up the
-Staircase Ridge at all. Since the map was made the road has been
- continued on to the base of the Eskdale Spur, which is about 2 miles
- past the Staircase Ridge. The ridges are very similar but it is nuo,.
- further by the ridge we took.
-    A howling wind was the feature of the night. The 1,-repid members
+The sun's rays commenced the thawing out process once it had gained a little height above the ridge tops. After a late start of 9.45 the first of the walking on the High Plains began. Two hours saw us at the Cleve Cole Memorial Hut. This was built of stone and looked as though it was built to withstand severe blizzards. One could imagine how cosy it would be during the winter months, but now was not the time to go sheltering in huts, so after sweets and drinks we made our way onwards to another smaller hut a mile away. The watches showed 1 p.m. and a lunch stand was called for, all being unanimously in favour of it. While the billies boiled we lay basking on the snow grass. The customary hour was taken, but before pushing on, noses were lined up for an application of sunburn cream from Tine.
- o2thc; party, Don and Tine, Geof and Grace, slept on the mountain top
- next to the trig, and were rocked to sleep by the constant flapping of
- the defiant little tent against the unrelenting wind. The summit but
- offered a deceitful shelter to the two remaining members, but alas,
- how '1.1e chill wind penetrated all night.
-    The sunfs rays commenced the thawing out process once it had
+Tuesday afternoon turned out to be a scrub bash down the T-spur which led down to Big River. The scrub got thicker as we got lower on the ridge. We were all glad when the river was reached. After much discussion we decided to camp here, although it was only 3.30 p.m., rather than attack the Duane Spur that leads from the river up to the High Plains. The High Plains is dissected by this river, and to walk along the plateau means going down to the river and up to the same height on the other side.
- gained a little height above the ridge tops. After a late start of
-.45 the first of the walking on the High Plains began. 'Two hours saw
- us at the Cleve gale Memorial Hut. This was built of stone and looked
- as though it was built to withstand severe blizzards.' One could
- imagine how cosy it would be during the winter months, but now was not
- the time to go sheltering in huts, so after sweets and drinks we made
- our way onwards to another smaller but a mile away. The watches show-
- ed 1 D.M. and a lunch stand was called for, all being unanimously in
- favour of it. While the billies boiled we lay basking on the snow
- grass. The customary hour was taken, but before pushing on, noses
- were lined up for an application of sunburn cream from Tine.
-    Tuesday afternoon turned out to be a scrub bash down the T-spur
+Boys and girls moved upstream and downstream respectively to swim and wash. Soon after, Geof was busy making his daily damper while our dried veges soaked and the Mellah set in the cold water of the river. There were actually three food parties, one being Geof, Grace and Beverley, another Don and Tine, and then myself, a last minute starter of the drip, but my own food list. However I was well looked after by Don and Tine.
- which led down to Big River. The scrub got thicker as we got lower
- on the ridge. We were all glad when the river was reace,. After
- much discussion we decided to camp here, although it was only 3.30 p.n,
- rather than attack the Duane Spur that leads from the river up to the
- High Plains. The High Plains is dissected by this rivar, an l. to walk
- along the plateau means going down to the river and up to the oame
- height on the other side.
-.
+The stillness of the night was broken by a lot of noise coming from the fireplace. Torches cut a beam through the darkness to show a possum nosing through the billies and other things lying around. It was amusing to see him sitting on his hind legs with his front paws holding some of his stolen food, eating away most unconcernedly. His huge goggle-eyes seemed to reflect the torch beam back at us. The drama was broken by a rock hurled by Geof. The night marauder scampered away and we were at last able to go to sleep.
+We arose at some unearthly hour next morning and hauled on our rucksacks for a 6.30 a.m. start. We crossed the river in the first hundred yards of the day's walk, carrying our footwear across so we could have dry feet for the rest of the day. Beverley swayed slightly in midstream, and Bev's new camera looked like getting a ducking, when she shouted "Catch this!" and next moment to our surprise a camera was making its way through the air to be brilliantly caught by
-              PHOTOGRAPHY ! ? ! I
-    You press the button, we'll do the rest t
-  Finegrain                     Your
-     Developing                   Rollfilms
-  Sparkling                     or
-                                  Leica films
-  PerfeeL                       deserve the
-     Enlargements                 best SERVICE
-             LEICA PHOTO SERVICE
-Macquarie Place
-                   SYDNEY N.S.W.
-   Boys and girls moved upstream and downstream respectively to
-swim and wash. Soon after, Geof was buss making his eail7 damper
-while our dried veges soaked and the Mellah set in tae cold water Of
-the river. There were actually three food parties, one being Geof,
-Grace and Beverley, another Don and Tine, and then myself, a last
-minute starter of the drip, but my own food list. However I was well
-looked after by Don and Tine.
-   The stillness of the night was broken by a lot of noise coming
-from the fireplace. Torches cut a beam through the darkness to show
-a possum nosing through the billies and other things lying around. It
-was amusing to see him sitting bn his hind legs with his front paws
-holding some of his stolen food, eating away most unconcernedly. His
-huge goggle-eyes seemed to reflect the torch beam back at us. The
- drama was broken by a rock hurled by Geof. The night marauder
- scampered away and we were at last able to go to sleep.
-    We arose at some Unearthly hour next morning and hauled on our
- rucksacks for a 6.30 a.m. start. We crossed the river in the first
- hundred yards of the day's walk, carrying our footwear across so we
- could have dry feet for the rest of the day. Beverley swayed slight7
-.
- in midstream, and Bev's new camera looked like getting a ducking,
-when she shouted "Catch this!" and next moment to our surprise a
- camera was making its way through the air to be brilliantly caught by
 Don on the bank. "Well caught, Sir" we shouted, much to Bev's relief.
-            The ridge went upwards and onwards - seemingly endless,like all
+The ridge went upwards and onwards - seemingly endless,like all ridges on hot days. We beat the rising mist to the top and it was good to look back across the valley, the mist hiding its depths with a soft white floor. Flowers showed themselves everywhere, especially trigger plants and snow daisies. Here and there were clumps of golden yellow buttercups, and bushes of pea flower added splashes of yellow to the ridge.
- ridges on hot days. We beat the rising mist to the top and it was
-good to look back across the valley, the mist hiding its depths with a
- soft white floor. Flowers showed themselves everywhere, especially
- trigger plants and snow daisies. Here and there were clumps of golden
-yellow buttercups, and bushes of pea flower added splashes of yellow
- to the ridge.
-            Snow poles marked the junction of the tracks on top of the High
+Snow poles marked the junction of the tracks on top of the High Plain, with notices pointing in all directions. If you ever find yourself at this point don't do what we did and proceed to Timm's Lookout. I don't say that Timm's Lookout isn't very nice, but it is in the opposite direction to the route that is normally taken past Mt. Nelson. After discovering our humiliating mistake, we retraced our steps for the two miles we had come and then proceeded once again along the Mt. Nelson track, but this time it really was the Mt. Nelson track. We had lunch a mile or so past Mt. Nelson under the welcome shade of some snow gums.
- Plain, with notices pointing in all directions. If you ever find
- yourself at this point don't do what we did and proceed to Timmes
- Lookout. I don't say that Timm's Lookout isn't very nice, but it is
- in the opposite direction to the route that is normally taken past
- Mt. Nelson. After discovering our humiliating mistake, we retraced
- our steps for the two mileS we had come and then proceeded once again
- along the Mt. Nelson track, but this time it really was the Mt. Nelson
- track. We had lunch a mile or so past Mt. Nelson under 'uhe welcome
- shade of some snow gums.
-             The distance was consumed fairly rapidly after lunch, 4L:n When we
+The distance was consumed fairly rapidly after lunch, and when we reached snow pole 241 the workings of heavy machinery at the State Electricity Commission camp could be heard. Unfortunately this camp has been built right on the track, which meant that we went right through the middle of it. As we walked through the camp, heavy earth moving equipment rolled by, turning the once peaceful High Plains into a mechanical nightmare. It was good to leave the noise and dust behind as we climbed around Basalt Hill. This hill seemed to be the centre of interest to the camp, the huge mechanical shovels biting into it and loading the basalt into trucks to be carted away.
- reached snow pole 241 the workings of heavy machinery at the State
- Electricity Commission camp could be heard. Unfortunai;,sly thi_s camp
- has loom built right on the track, which meant that we went ript
- through the middle of it. As we walked through the arm, heavy earth
- moving equipment rolled by, turning the once peaceful E.L_I Plains into
- a mechanical nightmare. It was good to leave the noise and dust
- behind as we climbed around BaSalt Hill. This hill seemed to be the
- centre of interest to the camp, the huge mechanical shovels biting
- into it and loading the basalt into trucks to be carted away.
-             Wallace's Hut was a mile from Basalt Hill,                                                              and wit12 another7:j..
+Wallace's Hut was a mile from Basalt Hill, and within another mile of this hut were three others. The huts were, with only one exception, the "Scout Hut", (i.e. a ski lodge presumably built by scouts) all in a most disreputable condition and only in a severe blizzard would one pluck up enough courage to camp in one.
- mile of this but were three others. The huts were, with only one                                              w
- exception, the "Scout Hut", (i.e. a ski lodge presumably built by
- scouts) all in a most disreputable condition and only in a severe
- blizzard would one pluck up enough courage to camp in one.
-             Camp for the night was set up just before Cope Hut, the last one
+Camp for the night was set up just before Cope Hut, the last one of the bunch. The weather looked threatening, mist gradually surrounding us as we pitched camp, but looking out of the tent in the morning blue sky greeted us, so breakfast was hurried and we were on our way at 7.50 a.m. Cope Hut to Mt. Cope is a distance of 2 1/2 miles. The main track by-passes Mt. Cope by a half mile. That meant a half mile walk from the track to the summit, so packs were dropped at the junction and cameras were shouldered. Grace had a blister on her heel so decided to walk on slowly, while the five remaining bods continued up the mountain.
-  of the bunch. The weather looked threatening, mist gradually surrourc-
-  ing us as we pitched camp, but looking out of the tent in the morning
- blue sky greeted us, so breakfast was hurried and we were on our way
-  at '7.50 a.m. Cope Hut to Mt. Cope is a distance of 22 miles. The
- main track by--passes Mt. Cope by a half mile. That meant a half mile
- walk from the track to the summit, so packs were dropped at the
-  junction and cameras were shouldered.                                                           Grace had a blister on her hee
-  so decided to walk on slowly, while the five remaining bode continued
-  up the mountain.
-              The view from Mt. Cope is probably                                                  the best on the HiEh Plains,
+The view from Mt. Cope is probably the best on the High Plains, or I should say the most extensive view, due to the fact that Mt.Cope is situated approximately in the middle of the High Plain. After identifying some of the surrounding peaks and taking the necessary pictures we beat a hasty retreat to the main track. The climb there and back had taken 3/4 hour, those with cameras taking one hour, the
-  or I should say the most extensive view,                                                          due to the fact that Mt.Cope
-  Is sttuated approximately in the middle                                                         of the High Plain                               Jlote.n
-  f.dantifying some of the surrounding peak                                                       s and taking the necessary
-.
-pictures we beat a hasty retreat to the main track. The climb there
-and back had taken thour, those with cameras taking one hour, the
 snow daisies being irresistable close-up shots.
-     Catching Grace took a little while. The track now went around
+Catching Grace took a little while. The track now went around Mt. Jim,. on whose southern side we made our mid-day halt. As we had lunch we could see Mt. Feathertop towering above the High Plains, the West Kiewa River valley between us and the mountain. Don, Tine and I left 30 minutes before the others. Dropping down 1,500' brought us to the Cobungra River. As the afternoon wore on Geoffrey came down the ridge, but no Grace and Bev. "Where are the girls?" I asked. "Aren't they here?" Geof queried. "No", said I. Geof told us they left a while before him as he had gone to take a photograph of Mt. Feathertop.. We gave them a little while longer but they did not appear, so we retraced our steps up the ridge track off down the first spur, and there we found our lost walkers sitting down waiting for us.
-Mt. Jim,. on whose southern side we made our mid-day halt. As we had
-lunch we could see Mt. Feathertop towering above the High Plains,
-the West Kiewa River cTalley between us and the mountain. 'Don, Tine
-and I left 30 minutes before the others. Dropping down 1-,500 brought
-us to the'Cobungra River. As the afternoon wore on Geoffrey came down
-the ridge, but no Grace and Bev. "Where are the girls?" I asked.
-"Aren't they here?" Geof queried. "No", said I. Geof told us they
-left' a while before hit as he had gone to take .a photograph of
-Mt. Feathertop.. We gave them a little while longer but they did not
-appear, so' we retraced our ttept up the ridge track   off down the
-f.lr,st spur, and there we found our lost walkers sitting down waiting
-for 17.s.
-     It was shaving time before-tea that night, because we were bein;
-sco]acd for looking like tramps, so we lathered our faces and Lhe
-blade hacked into our now tender. whiskers. Don was rewarded, with a
-cheek rub with Tine to prove how smooth his beardless facs now was.
-  .  We crossed the Cobungra at 8.15 next mo'ining and commenced the
-c11-11' up to Mt. Loch. The weather was blowing a treat and clouds
-racd:': across the heavens at great speed. Mt. Feathertop lived uo to
-Its name, the top being clothed in soft white clouds_ T1.-) ridge was
-long and steep, but quite good underfoot. From Mt. Loch to Mt. HothaT
-was unfortunately a road bash. Diamentina Hut was to bate been our
-camp spot that night, but one look at it and we moved on, dropping
-down a small gully to Diamentina Creek. We made camp at 12 midday.
-Please excuse our early camp, but it was New Year's Eve,
-     Don suggested that for a little celebration we should have tea
-at the Chalet at Mt. Hotham. This suggestion was thought a wonderful
-idea by all. So at 3 p.m. we made ourselves look reasonably respect-
-able and walked round the road leading to the Chalet. From the
-roadway the ridge, or Razorback as it is called, can be seen axtendir4
-fram Hotham to Mt. Feathertop, a distance of 6 miles. We soon reachcc,
-the Chalet and the Manager was consulted by our Business Manager Don,
-who arranged the evening meal at a cost of 10/- per head. It was
-p.m. and tea was to be served at 6.30 p.m, - 22 hours to fill in.
-Geof went back for Bev who had decided to rest instead of walking to
-the Chalet, meanwhile we other four took a walk along the road past
-the Chalet, 'returning by 5.45. Geof had just beaten v, "cack.
-     At 6.30 p.m. we were seated at a large table in the dtnang room,
-with Geoffrey placing on the table the mysterious little box he had
-carried all the trip. To our surprise it was a box of sweets, and
-verj. dellcious too. The meal was most satisfying to air dried vege-
-table constitutions, the plates of cheese crackers ditinlshing
-rapidly before the soup. It was a real 3-course me a19so.pplenented
-b7 the sweets from Geofts mysterious box.
-     A golden-red sunset lit the sky as we made our way back to our
-camp. By 9 p.m. we had a fire burning brightly for a brew. Tne
-.
-darkness of the hillside was interrupted by the light of a torch as
-someone made his way down the slope towards us. It turned out to be
-one of the chaps who was building a ski-hut about 200 yards from
-where we were camped. "Like to come up to the but for a little
-celebration" he asked. To this we all agreed, it being; 1;3w Year's
-Eve. Midnight found us singing Auld Lang Syne and saying to our
-hosts that we really must be going. They saw our point of view, beinc
-el7.-311shwalkers now turned to the pleasures of skiing and tbey sympath:-
-iced with us. So we made our way down the slope to the tents in
-happy frame of mind, and sleep was soon upon us.
-     The first day of 1955 dawned upon us. Away by 7.50, our object-
-ive was Mt. Feathertop by lunch time. The ridge leading ,here was a
-continuous narrow ridge 6 miles long and inclined to be bumpy in
-parts. The track sidled the ridge most of the way making it reason
-ably flat, and our progress was rapid. We reached the foot of
-Mt. Feathertop by 10.15 a.m. The best pdrt of an hour was spent at
-the saddle looking at the memorial cairn, photographing and resting.
-Don started to climb the mountain before us. Beverley C3ided to
-car* on to Feathertop Bungalow and wait for us there. By the time
-Geof, Grace and I had started, Don was on his way down. We met half
-way, muttered a few words, and. Don scrambled on downwards to Tine who
-was waiting at the bottom for him. Meanwhile we continued our climb
-to the top. From the trig the view was mighty. Mt. Hotham showed up
- on the horizon, and the Mt. Buffalo plateau could be clearly seen.
-     Lunch at the but was good, due to the stimulating properties of
-tea. Our hunger was temporarily assuaged by Vita-weets or Rye-vitas,
-whichever you could stand the most, then off for Harrietville. There
-were two tracks on the ridge leading down into Harrietville. There
-must have been because Don, Tine and I followed a track, and Geof,
-Grace and Bev followed a track. Unfortunately we three ended up thre
-miles short of the town and had to road bash back to Harrietville,
-whilst the other three came down a steep pinch and ended up right in
- the town. I am still trying to convince myself that ti o map was wrong,
-reunion was held at the milk bar in Harrietville, and after
- teaing up transport for the Mt. Buffalo trip we made our WDy along
- tho road looking for a side track to take us to the river. The
- eastern branch of the Ovans was only half a mile away a-id a s-,:,o1 was
+It was shaving time before tea that night, because we were being scolded for looking like tramps, so we lathered our faces and the blade hacked into our now tender. whiskers. Don was rewarded, with a cheek rub with Tine to prove how smooth his beardless face now was.
- soon found on the river to camp. Earlier in the afternoon a Lander-
+We crossed the Cobungra at 8.15 next morning and commenced the climb up to Mt. Loch. The weather was blowing a treat and clouds raced across the heavens at great speed. Mt. Feathertop lived up to its name, the top being clothed in soft white clouds. The ridge was long and steep, but quite good underfoot. From Mt. Loch to Mt. Hotham was unfortunately a road bash. Diamentina Hut was to have been our camp spot that night, but one look at it and we moved on, dropping
+down a small gully to Diamentina Creek. We made camp at 12 midday. Please excuse our early camp, but it was New Year's Eve.
- storm had gathered giving us a shower for ten or fifteen -inutes, but
+Don suggested that for a little celebration we should have tea at the Chalet at Mt. Hotham. This suggestion was thought a wonderful idea by all. So at 3 p.m. we made ourselves look reasonably respectable and walked round the road leading to the Chalet. From the roadway the ridge, or Razorback as it is called, can be seen extending from Hotham to Mt. Feathertop, a distance of 6 miles. We soon reached the Chalet and the Manager was consulted by our Business Manager Don,
+who arranged the evening meal at a cost of 10/- per head. It was 4 p.m. and tea was to be served at 6.30 p.m, - 2 1/2 hours to fill in. Geof went back for Bev who had decided to rest instead of walking to the Chalet, meanwhile we other four took a walk along the road past the Chalet, returning by 5.45. Geof had just beaten us back.
- now as we camped the clouds seemed to melt away before us, revealing
+At 6.30 p.m. we were seated at a large table in the dining room, with Geoffrey placing on the table the mysterious little box he had carried all the trip. To our surprise it was a box of sweets, and very delicious too. The meal was most satisfying to our dried vegetable constitutions, the plates of cheese crackers diminishing rapidly before the soup. It was a real 3-course meal, supplenented
+by the sweets from Geof's mysterious box.
- blue sky once again. It was the finale of our Bogong trip, and if
+A golden-red sunset lit the sky as we made our way back to our camp. By 9 p.m. we had a fire burning brightly for a brew. The darkness of the hillside was interrupted by the light of a torch as someone made his way down the slope towards us. It turned out to be one of the chaps who was building a ski-hut about 200 yards from where we were camped. "Like to come up to the hut for a little celebration" he asked. To this we all agreed, it being New Year's Eve. Midnight found us singing Auld Lang Syne and saying to our hosts that we really must be going. They saw our point of view, being ex-bushwalkers now turned to the pleasures of skiing and they sympathised with us. So we made our way down the slope to the tents in happy frame of mind, and sleep was soon upon us.
- Mt. Buffalo could offer us the same amount of enjoyment and picture
+The first day of 1955 dawned upon us. Away by 7.50, our objective was Mt. Feathertop by lunch time. The ridge leading there was a continuous narrow ridge 6 miles long and inclined to be bumpy in parts. The track sidled the ridge most of the way making it reasonably flat, and our progress was rapid. We reached the foot of Mt. Feathertop by 10.15 a.m. The best part of an hour was spent at the saddle looking at the memorial cairn, photographing and resting. Don started to climb the mountain before us. Beverley decided to carry on to Feathertop Bungalow and wait for us there. By the time Geof, Grace and I had started, Don was on his way down. We met half way, muttered a few words, and Don scrambled on downwards to Tine who was waiting at the bottom for him. Meanwhile we continued our climb to the top. From the trig the view was mighty. Mt. Hotham showed up on the horizon, and the Mt. Buffalo plateau could be clearly seen.
- taking as did the High Plains, then Mt. Buffalo here we come!
+Lunch at the but was good, due to the stimulating properties of tea. Our hunger was temporarily assuaged by Vita-weets or Rye-vitas, whichever you could stand the most, then off for Harrietville. There were two tracks on the ridge leading down into Harrietville. There must have been because Don, Tine and I followed a track, and Geof, Grace and Bev followed a track. Unfortunately we three ended up three miles short of the town and had to road bash back to Harrietville, whilst the other three came down a steep pinch and ended up right in the town. I am still trying to convince myself that the map was wrong.
-                         a=m1==101=111MILMINEMM
+A reunion was held at the milk bar in Harrietville, and after teeing up transport for the Mt. Buffalo trip we made our way along the road looking for a side track to take us to the river. The eastern branch of the Ovans was only half a mile away and a spot was soon found on the river to camp. Earlier in the afternoon a thunderstorm had gathered giving us a shower for ten or fifteen minutes, but now as we camped the clouds seemed to melt away before us, revealing blue sky once again. It was the finale of our Bogong trip, and if Mt. Buffalo could offer us the same amount of enjoyment and picture taking as did the High Plains, then Mt. Buffalo here we come!