Hammock camping on mt feathertop

[Ozzy50]

Hi, this is my first post on a forum so forgive me if this is in the wrong place. I want to hike the mt feathertop circuit this summer and was wondering if there are places to hang a hammock? I have seen some photos and there doesnt seem to be many trees. Anyone done this track with a hammock?

[FootTrack]

There are trees all the way up the Bungalow Spur Track to Federation Hut. Once you get to Federation Hut it opens up and there are only small bushes and grasses all the way to Mt Feathertop and all the way along the top of the Razorback to Mt Hotham. I'm not a hammock man myself but from memory I'd say the trees around Federation Hut would be reasonable to hang a hammock from (with some protection for the tree of course!). Hope this helps.

[FootTrack]

Here's a photo of Federation Hut and a few of the surrounding trees for your reference. I was just flicking through my photos and realised that there are a few stands of trees along the Razorback but if the weather turned sour you would still be pretty exposed I'd imagine. Certainly none on the way up to Feathertop, but Feathertop is not a very long walk if you based yourself at Federation Hut anyway...Depending on how fit you are and how much you are carrying, give yourself a little bit of time climbing up from Harrietville - it is basically 10.5 kms of steady uphill climbing all the way to Federation Hut with little respite. Not terribly steep just a drag. There is also a clearing/campsite on the edge of the track probably 1 km below Federation Hut that I've used before which is nice and protected. Again, I think there were trees there you could probably get a sufficient hang with. Have a good trip and sing out if you need any more info.

[north-north-west]

The closest hammockable trees to Feathertop summit would be near the track junction. Otherwise, there are various spots along the Razorback and - as has already been said - Bungalow Spur and Federation Hut.
Given that the only reliable water is near the High Knob campsite or near the hut, that also limits your options.

[Lophophaps]

There's water just above Tobias Gap at a soak, which may not be running, and more reliable water at the Bungalow Hut site.

About 10 minutes up from Federation Hut the track splits. The south (right) track goes to Hotham and straight ahead (east) lies Feathertop. A short distance down this track is another split, more or less straight ahead to the summit and left to contour into the gully on the Tom Kneen Track. A short distance along the latter is a creek, and this was running on every trip over many years. The smaller creeks before the gully are usually running.

The Parks Vic advice to boil or treat all water is mainly CYA. If you get sick you can't blame PV as they advise to boil or treat.

[David M]

Is there water at Federation Hut at the moment and would we be a typical overnight temperature at this time?

[Lophophaps]

Is there water at Federation Hut at the moment and would we be a typical overnight temperature at this time?

The tank may or may not have water. if it does, good, a bonus. If not, then take a short stroll up or down. I like up, as it's down coming back, and you can bag the summit with a side-trip. Aim to arrive at the hut with some water. In late summer there's more chance that the tank will be dry.

Most ridges are warmer than the valleys or low-lying areas - cold air sinks. This is why there are frost hollows, with lower regions too cold to have bushes and trees. However, being higher also means colder, and on still clear nights at any time of the year above 1500 metres it can easily get down to zero. The percentages don't matter. It's no good saying that there's a 20% chance of above five degrees C at night. You need gear for the coldest and wettest that will occur. Just because there's a 1 in 1000 chance of a vehicular collision is no reason to not wear a seat belt.

On balance, I would expect the night temperature at 1700 metres in spring and early summer to be in the 2-5 degrees C region.

[Ozzy50]

Thanks you everyone for the info. I am now thinking that maybe this might be out of my experience level. Is there other overnight walks in the same area more on the beginner side of things or is feathertop not that bad? Once again thanks for generously giving your advice.

[peregrinator]

Thanks you everyone for the info. I am now thinking that maybe this might be out of my experience level. Is there other overnight walks in the same area more on the beginner side of things or is feathertop not that bad? Once again thanks for generously giving your advice.

Ozzy, if you're up to finding out what your capabilities are, the best way to discover that is to at least make a start. But if for any reason you then see the need to turn back before you've reached the planned goal, so what? No need whatsoever to feel ashamed at that, because while you may be a beginner, you will have already done a lot more than most of the lazy sods on this planet! You will have gained much experience which you can then apply by making a revisit at a time to suit you.

[icefest]

Thanks you everyone for the info. I am now thinking that maybe this might be out of my experience level. Is there other overnight walks in the same area more on the beginner side of things or is feathertop not that bad? Once again thanks for generously giving your advice.

As long as you don't start when there's a bushfire burning, you should be fine.

There is little navigation required (if there are no clouds), and there is a clear way back from where you came.

The route up to the hut is a fast, easily paced, walk of 9.5km, including a detour to the spring. It shouldn't take more than 4 hours.

The orange bit is the bit with the attached stats.


When I went up I had plenty of time when I got to the hut so I summitted, glissaded down to MUMC hut and then went back up top for the night.
It's not a hard walk.


I'm not sure which loop you are planning, but I did the Bungalow/NW spur loop last winter. I doubled back and forth a lot on the summit (so these stats are a bit exaggerated) but even that is a passable weekend walk. It easier with two cars, but I walked back into town from the fish farm.

I've done the razorback and bon accord too though.

[FootTrack]

It's not too difficult Ozzy, I wouldn't stress too much. As long as you take the normal precautions such as letting people know where you're going and when you'll be back, taking the right equipment, watching the weather and probably not going on a super super hot day, you should be fine and have a great time As icefest said the track up is pretty self-explanatory and there is a hut up there you can shelter in. Check the weather report before you go - they're not 100% but they'll give you a pretty good indication. The view of the Razorback as you come up to Federation Hut is pretty spectacular/enormous the first time you see it. Especially having only been surrounded by trees up until then

[north-north-west]

It is a pretty straightforward walk in good weather. Even in snow I've done the Bon Accord/Bungalow loop in a day and a half, so if you're just doing an up and back via Bungalow, or over and back on the Razorback, you should be fine as long as you pick the right time to do it. The tracks are all well marked and obvious, and the terrain is not that steep. Plus, you're unlikely to be there on your own, so you'd probably be able to ask for help if required.

If you want an easier alternative, you could try the Mount Loch/Machinery Sour/Swindlers loop, which passes a number of huts, or even a longer route including the track up past Westons.

[Lophophaps]

With a bit more driving you can get to Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains. This is much flatter, there's much more water, and you can camp in many more places. Also, if you wish you can go away from the tracks in reasonable safety. There are more huts, but you may not reach them and they may be full.

One good thing about the Bungalow Spur is that you can drop out of bad weather fairly quickly. On the BHP this may not be possible. Just start slowly and explore your limits. If in doubt, turn back. I suspect that the vast majority of experienced walkers started this way.

If driving to Falls Creek take the Dandongadale Road from Myrtleford. It's a fraction longer but faster.

[peregrinator]

With a bit more driving you can get to Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains. This is much flatter, there's much more water, and you can camp in many more places. Also, if you wish you can go away from the tracks in reasonable safety. There are more huts, but you may not reach them and they may be full.

One good thing about the Bungalow Spur is that you can drop out of bad weather fairly quickly. On the BHP this may not be possible. Just start slowly and explore your limits. If in doubt, turn back. I suspect that the vast majority of experienced walkers started this way.

If driving to Falls Creek take the Dandongadale Road from Myrtleford. It's a fraction longer but faster.

Good suggestions, but the what road from Myrtleford?

[icefest]

Did he mean the Happy Valley road?

That one is longer, and faster if you are a safe driver.

[peregrinator]

Did he mean the Happy Valley road?

That one is longer, and faster if you are a safe driver.

I do believe that's what was meant. And I do believe it is the happy way to go.

[Lophophaps]

Happy Valley I meant. I don't suppose you would believe that I was seeing if anyone was awake? Didn't think so. Sorry. Go past the big sideways tree on the left as you come into Myrtleford and turn left. Then take Tunnel Road.

[Ozzy50]

Just one more question, where do you guys and gals get your topo maps from? Any online places? Thanks again for your generosity.

[neilmny]

Try Maps Downunder. http://www.mapsdownunder.com.au/

[Lophophaps]

Most bushwalking shops will have a good range of maps for the more popular places.

[icefest]

Just one more question, where do you guys and gals get your topo maps from? Any online places? Thanks again for your generosity.

Have a look at the Melbourne map store.

They will even laminate the big a1 sheets for you.

http://www.melbmap.com.au/

[Lophophaps]

They will even laminate the big a1 sheets for you.

Lamination works as long as the map is not folded, but when folded the corners and folds leak. Also, laminated maps are quite bulky and heavy. In my view a simpler, less expensive solution is to carry maps in two thick plastic bags. My Bogong High Plains 1:50 map is about 20 years old and much battered but still functional - just. My Kosciusko 1:25 map is about 30 years old and is the same. I'm not sure that lamination would have given this sort of life.

[icefest]

Lophophaps, I guess it's a personal choice. I prefer not having to find dry spots to refold the map. I find that the lamination also holds the map together if it does soak through at any point.

TBH, I'd prefer to just have them printed on waterproof paper, but I think that's too much to ask for, seeing as Vic/Tas can't even print double-sided.

[north-north-west]

TBH, I'd prefer to just have them printed on waterproof paper, but I think that's too much to ask for, seeing as Vic/Tas can't even print double-sided.

If only.
The Larapinta Trail section maps that come with the official walkers' information pack are done on plastic paper. If they can manage that - and at a reasonable cost, too - I see no reason (apart from bureaucratic inertia) that other states and authorities can't do the same.

[icefest]

The cradle-clair 50k map is on plastic too.

[Lophophaps]

Lophophaps, I guess it's a personal choice. I prefer not having to find dry spots to refold the map. I find that the lamination also holds the map together if it does soak through at any point.

TBH, I'd prefer to just have them printed on waterproof paper, but I think that's too much to ask for, seeing as Vic/Tas can't even print double-sided.

Icefest, that's a brilliant idea! I have some very brittle and disintegrating Algona maps from the 1970s and 1980s that are printed on plastic. The only negative is that when drying and it gets too hot the maps melt slightly, changing the scale. But on balance, I'd like to see maps designed for bushwalkers and other outdoor people printed on plastic. I wonder if Rooftop would go down this track.

[icefest]

Have a look at this thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14966

[JohnR]

Perhaps not totally relevant to this topic, however thinking of doing Feathertop over this weekend and was wondering how busy it is likely to be. Will Bungalow Spur be like Bourke Street?

Anyone do it over cup weekend last year and if so was it crowded?

[icefest]

Feathertop is crowded almost every weekend. There'll be plenty of people, with some going to enjoy the last vestiges of snow.

If you want a bit more solace, stay at MUMC hut - that's usually emptier.

[JohnR]

Thanks Icefest

If I could ask one further question: How steep is the North West Spur track? Too steep for a 12 year old? I am concerned with any vertical climbing with a exposure of more that 2 metres.

Cheers,
JohnR