Planning for the AAWT top to bottom this Christmas

[Mark F]

As to the first question it really depends. Flies wake early and set late, mossies depend on where you camp - close to water or carry water to a drier camp site. To me the main problem at that time of year is water and heat. DEET etc. can deal with flies and mozzies but heat may mean walking early morning late evening with a long afternoon siesta while water availability is weather dependent but usually becoming scarcer as you progress through summer into autumn.
My thoughts is that the shelter issue with options A to D is the bivvy. On a hot mossie infested night a bivvy is just a hot hell hole. Far better using the tarp with a mesh inner to allow any air flow to work in your favour.

[Eljimberino]

You're right, I'll just take all of them for every situation. Could leave the bivy home but I think it will be handy in emergencies and sleeping on top of mountains.

I don't like creams/sprays.

Thank you


Ride On

[Mutley]

Living the dream at the moment. Just completed stage one which is, for me, Tharwa to Thredbo. Didn't see any water from Tharwa to Hineysuckle Creek except for the dam at the start of the track to Boomboora rocks. There is supposed to be a source and I may have missed it. Overall the walking has been relatively easy so far but I know this is going to change. Watch the water and always treat. Picked up a nasty stomach bug drinking untreated water from streams which looked pristine. Maybe faeces from feral animals ?? Not sure. Weather has been excellent, but a bit warm on a few days. Generally there is plenty if water around. Forecast for next week is not so good. More information at www.thealpstrackforpetermac.com where you will find a irreverent trip blog. Last minute question, Gavin above has been told all tanks are full. Does anyone know the state of the Johnnies Top tank and the water quality?

[neilmny]

I've been following your trip on the SPOT tracking Mutley well done. It must have been bad having a stomach bug.

[Mutley]

Not as bad as the rabbit who now has to find a new home )

[neilmny]

[neilmny]

....More information at http://www.thealpstrackforpetermac.com where you will find a irreverent trip blog. ........

I believe Mutley arrives at Walhalla today. His spot track shows him near mount Erica at the moment.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... 2a3qn435tM

Have a look at his link and give some thought to the Peter Mac cause folks.
http://thealpstrackforpetermac.com/

Going great guns Mutley, almost home.

[Eljimberino]

I've read his blog. It's well written and informative. He too had trouble with water on the western side of the viking. If he's reading this, I'd like to know what he would have done differently.


Ride On

[neilmny]

....More information at http://www.thealpstrackforpetermac.com where you will find a irreverent trip blog. ........

I believe Mutley arrives at Walhalla today. His spot track shows him near mount Erica at the moment.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... 2a3qn435tM

Have a look at his link and give some thought to the Peter Mac cause folks.
http://thealpstrackforpetermac.com/

Going great guns Mutley, almost home.

Well done Mutley, the eagle has landed

[north-north-west]

Schedules suck. I keep thinking or all the brilliant sidetrips he missed because he had to be back today.
I do understand why, but it really does seem a shame. Still, I have no doubt he'll be back to do it properly one day. When the missus has recovered.

[Eljimberino]

What are the unmissable side trips on the AAWT?


Ride On

[north-north-west]

Booroomba Rocks. Murray and Bimberi. Tabletop. Jagungal. Kerries Ridge & Gungartan. Dicky Cooper's. Little Twynam. Sentinel. Townsend & Alice Rawson. Ramsheads. Tin Mine Falls. Pilot & The Cobberas. Bogong. The Nelses. Jim. Loch. Feathertop. Twins and Wongangurra (and not just for the water tank.) Murray (yes, another one). Howitt West Peak. Doesn't mention the King Billies, and how you can walk that ridge without giving it a mention I don't know. Not that it is a sidetrip, the marked track runs over it. He didn't even go over Blowhard - didn't even take the track around the back of it, from the sound of things, just slogged on along the road.

That sounds like carping, it's not, more a regret for his sake because, despite what he's done, the schedule has taken so much out of what it could have been.

[Mutley]

Thanks for all the support guys. Yes it was a rushed trip as I was limited by the amount of leave available. There were so many great peaks, awesome scenery and memorable places to mention. My blog was a quick daily summary, mainly to support my fundraising efforts and to inform, entertain and inspire the many non bushwalkers followers out there. The trip has inspired me to go back to those special places for a closer look, with friends who share the love of the high country and alps.

Yes 34 days was rushed. I think chapman recommends 44 days plus for all the side trips etc. I personally, would struggle with that amount of time living out of a tent and would rather plan individual trips.

Twelve months ago to the day, my wife was going through chemotherapy. Today the prognosis is really positive.

My fundraising is now almost $17k. I am thankful and humbled by the generosity of all the people who have donated and hope to reach my $20k target, with a little more help.

Thanks for all the support and I will be back on the tracks when my annual leave permits.

[north-north-west]

Twelve months ago to the day, my wife was going through chemotherapy. Today the prognosis is really positive.

Well, that's the most important thing. May the good news continue.

[Mutley]

I've read his blog. It's well written and informative. He too had trouble with water on the western side of the viking. If he's reading this, I'd like to know what he would have done differently.


Ride On

Yes. No water at Viking Saddle. Had to bush bash almost to Buffalo River. Also hard to get water at Murrays Hut Site but found a dial on the road about 1200m north. Next time would have stayed at Barry Saddle then from there maybe my spec or vg hut. I would also reduce daily distance to under 20 kms if possible. But everyone's walk is different. There was a guy called Gavin who was ahead of me an was doing the lot in 28 days with 8 food drops. Sheesh. That's 30 km plus days.

[Eljimberino]

Thanks for the info. You found a what 1200m north of Murrays hut?


Ride On

[Mutley]

Thanks for the info. You found a what 1200m north of Murrays hut?

Ha ha,

Damn auto correct.

Found a soak.

[Eljimberino]

Just completed the Walhalla-Mt Hotham section today. What a great walk.


Ride On

[oyster_07]

Hi Eljimberino:

What were the conditions in the Howitt- Crosscut Saw - Viking areas?

Was there water at Barry Saddle? Viking?

I'm heading up there next week.

Thanks.

[Eljimberino]

I saved my rest day for bad weather which happened to coincide with the Ganther Hut. Up until then clear sunny days - hot in mid afternoon.

Did the scrub bash for water near Low Saddle which was a battle. There are heaps of puddles near the camp so bring a filter instead. Good clean water was dripping out of a cliff 500 to east of camp.

I carried 5L from Camp Creek to Viking Saddle and camped there. Wouldn't want to tackle the Viking in the afternoon, even the descent is trying. Found the sidle about the base of the Razor more challenging than expected.

Ask more questions if you like.


Ride On

[Eljimberino]

There's a full tank at Barry Saddle.


Ride On

[oyster_07]

Lovely. Many thanks.

[Eljimberino]

Hey GBW, did you make it to Mt Howitt?


Ride On

[GBW]

Hey Eljimberino , great to meet you out there. We made it! Just got home tonight (Saturday). Camped at Blue Jacket the last day we saw you and didn't see anyone else for 10 days. All I can say is what a fantastic walk it was and don't try to sidle Square Top! We took a couple of wrong turns here and there but all in all I think we did pretty well for a couple of novices with no major mishaps.

Last edited by GBW on Sun 18 Jan, 2015 6:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[CoolBreeze]

Well done Mutley on your achievement! I appreciated your blog updates which were informative and a good read. Hope all's going/went well for your charity fund raising! (a small donation made to say thanks)

Missed you on the trail as my friend and I departed Walhalla Sat 27 Dec, we made it to Tharwa - ACT/home this week.

Congrats to others who've just achieve their goal on the AAWT too, and to those still out there

[north-north-west]

Goodonyer for doing it the right way around, CB.

[Eljimberino]

Awesome GBW. Great to hear. Ive just walked into Thredbo. Few nights here.


Ride On

[GBW]

Great stuff Eljimberino. Bridge was still a bit sore after her fall on Trig Point tk so by the time we reached the bottom of Casper Ck Tk near Blue Jacket she'd had enough for one day. Fortunately it was nothing serious and she came good for the remainder. We had a rest day at Fiddlers Green...saw your note on that water bottle and knew you were km's ahead of us. Enjoy your rest days and the final leg and wish I was still out there..

[Eljimberino]

Good to hear mate. I suppose most walking injuries sort themselves out after a day or two.

Mt Macdonald was tricky. I descended too early and had to climb onto the ridge again.

The big lightning storm came through when I got to Nobs. So I walked the extra 10-15 km along north Brocks road. Saw a pair of Lyre Birds.

Where were you during the storms?


Ride On

[GBW]

We were up near Mt Skene. I wanted to camp at the lookout on the off-road section of Jamieson-Licola rd but when the lightening storm came in it was a bit hairy up there so we descended a bit lower. Drizzle and rain on/off until we reached Mt Macdonald and very foggy in some sections, especially Mt Clear (ha). The section after Rumpff Saddle easily the highlight of the walk, even better when it finally cleared up and we had some views. Did you go down Black River Tk? I'd heard it was very overgrown but took it anyway and found it not too bad.