2018 Trip Note

Pack Carry: 14-16 December 2018 - Mount Buller West Ridge

Contributor: Anita Wu

Source: "The News", February 2019

Photogallery: Mount Buller West Ridge

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Participants: Ian M, Gina H, Trish E, Khelina F. Jopie B, Mark S. and Anita W.
Day1 - 16.5km - 5 hours - Timbertop Track - off track - Doughty Road - West Ridge
Day2 - 13.5km - 6 ½ hours - West Ridge- Mount Buller Summit- McLaughlin Shoulder - Mirimbah Spur -off track - Klingsporn Bridle Track
Total Ascent: 1500m, Descent: 1700m
Highlights: Steep Climbing/Descending, Exposed Ridge Walking, Rock Scrambling, Bush Bashing, Fallen Trees, Slippery Rocks, Snow Gums, Snakes, Mists, Sunset.

Due to bad weather forecast on Friday night, Agajan suggested to meet on Saturday. We all happily agreed. We met at Mirimbah Picnic Ground at 9:45am on Saturday and car shuffled to Timbertop saddle where we started our hike to the summit. It was reasonably easy and steady up. I realised afterwards it was just a ‘warm up’ for a tough weekend ahead!

We had morning tea in the clouds at Timbertop Summit so it was a pity we didn’t get rewarded with spectacular views of valley. We then continued our walk towards Doughty Road.

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Feeling adventurous we decided to bypass the four wheel track and go off track. At lunch time we had an up and close encounter with 2 snakes! One slithered in front of Mark and one creeped up where Ian was about to put his pack down. We passed a recently logged plantation and were then bush bashing up and down, and under and around through thick bushes. Were we lost? We seemed to be going in circles? Agajan had his GPS and all was under control. So! ‘we were not on a track but on the right track!!’ It was slow going as scrub was thick with slippery rocks and fallen trees.

We eventually made it out of the bush, reaching Doughty Road Creek where we collected water for the night and the next day. It was then a steady climb up to Round Hill. It was only about 2 kilometres hike but it felt like so much longer as it had been a long day and the pack was heavy with extra water. We camped at a lovely saddle a bit further out from Round Hill. We had superb views of Mt Buller on one side and amazing sunset on the other. What a beautiful spot to camp after a long hard day.

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In the morning Agajan discussed with us which route to take as he was concerned about the windy and wet conditions. Of course we chose a more challenging route, walking the Ridge to Mt Buller Summit. We started with a steep climb up the Ridge. When trees began to thin out we noticed that the ridge had narrowed, becoming exposed. As rocks were loose and slippery in parts, we walked with care. We stopped now and then to take a break and had a glimpse of beautiful hills and valley between drifting clouds. We reached Mt Buller Summit and stopped for morning tea. We could only use our imagination for a magnificent view of mountain ranges and Mount Buller Ski Resort as it was a complete white-out. Apart from a bit wet and chilly, it was quite ‘romantic’!!

We then walked along Mclaughlin Shoulder with steep descends through dense bush down Mirimbah Spur. We stopped for lunch when we reached Klingsporn Bridle Track and finished with an easy 2.5 k walk to Mirimbah Picnic Ground.

We all met up at Mansfield Regional Produce Store for a well-deserved coffee before we headed back to Melbourne.

What an epic adventure! The walk gave my thighs a total workout. They were still sore the next day but so worth it!