The Crinoline (Mt Ligar) circuit 2/3/4 Nov

[Camminata]

Took a longish drive Saturday morning to Licola and beyond to Breakfast Creek to begin this circuit clockwise , after the decent rains a couple weeks ago and someone else I know who had competed this circuit late September confirmed the creek at Long Hill was running strongly so was confident I won't be running dry and having to return the next day.

Started walking a little after 9am , the clear sunny skies was slow progress up the many steep inclines and zapping me, the approach to the Crinoline is littered with large stepping boulders, I skirted the summit looking for a way up followed a faint pad which led to no where, retraced back and found a spot to climb up , used some rope to haul my pack up as I wasn't confident to haul the extra weight up on my back as I had visions in my head of me falling backwards and tumbling down the valley never to be seen again a certain death sure!

was around 12:30pm so decided to have lunch on top with magnificent views all around including Long Hill Falls escarpment which had no water flowing over , was a little concerned about wether there be water at the creek. Coming down the other side was a little tricky with its slippy scree slope and rock benches to climb down I used the rope again to lower my pack down in one spot.

Followed the ridge line to Long Hill camp site was late afternoon and really thirsty the blaring hot sun all day really took it out of me and all my water , so made a vline 200 meters down to the creek and sure enough there was water running!
Met another fella down there also replenishing stock and himself of glorious water.
After a quick chit chat he was off and I spent sometime relaxing and refreshing myself.

Made my way back up and 3 tents had been set up , 3 fellas from YHA club we started exchanging stories of the day and turns out he knows my good mate , small world!
We all got a long really well sharing a fire at night with good conversations.
The leader of the group invited me to walk with them for the next 2 days so thats what I did , was good to have some company along the way.
The wind picked up that night and remained strong all night , little sleep was had by us all.

We broke camp 8:30am, the wind was still blowing with light showers for the morning before clearing up for a lunch break at the Rock Shelter.
Spectacular views northwards I could see Mt Cobbler and SquareTop poking thru the ridge tops.

We pushed on with a plan to camp at Mt Tamboritha , wind permitting but by 4ish the wind slowly stopped and was not a breath of wind for the afternoon and night , after setting up camp we headed down a km to collect water from a pond.
Arriving back at camp on the summit of Tamboritha the fella I met at Long Hill walked in, he too was welcomed to hang out with us and also walked with us the final day back down to the cars. Was a great 3 days of hiking and also tough going.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Excellent. It is dry up there now on the ridges in the Vic. Alps.That afternoon sun is hot.
I walked over the Crinolene over ten years ago. It was hard and sketchy because it was cold and wet in May.

[scroggin]

Thanks for the report.
One question I do have, is it pronounced Crino-lin, Crino-leen or Crino-line? I think I have used all 3 probably in the same conversation. I might stick to Mount Ligar.

It was nice meeting you Camminata.
Thirsty fella

[Baeng72]

Nice one!