Feathertop - Razorback

[Kinsayder]

I walked from Diamantina Hut to MUMC on the weekend and was amazed at the volume of people. I counted for a while but lost count after 20-something (an amorphous group of middle teens teens got me) but it would have easily been over 50. I've not been along the Razorback for about 18 months (discounting an ill-fated -due to gastro- North Razorback 12 months ago) but didn't expect so many people. Perhaps I've unknowingly timed it perfectly in the past to always run far under half that, I'm not sure. There were school groups, uni groups, scouts, mountain runners, people at the Fed Hut, and even a lovely couple of the much quieter Tom Kneen track.

I've often found the dearth of people around such a beautiful mountain to be something of an indictment of Australian society, so perhaps now people are starting to realise that it's such an amazing place. Or, as I said, maybe it's always busy and I've just been lucky on every one of my previous trips. Any thoughts?

[andrewa]

Erk! Fortunately we went up Bogong that weekend (Razorback was a possible option). Still ran into 15 people), which surprised me, but that's a lot less than 50! I couple AND their dog were going up Eskdale. I did point out that pooches weren't allowed in the NP, which they knew, but they didnt seem to care.

A

[axcarmil]

I think you've been lucky or we've been unlucky. We were also there last weekend - we went on the hope that it would be quiet, but no such luck. We spent Friday night camped near the Ovens River on the Bon Accord and saw no one. Next day going up the Bon Accord, we only passed a group of four who were going down, but once we reached the Razorback it was busy. As you say, there were some large groups - I as just pleased they were going the opposite way to us. We camped near Fed Hut on Saturday night, and there were about 15 or so people. Although there were more people than we had hoped, it was quiet compared to when we were there at Christmas. There were literally hundreds on day walks.

Whilst it is great to see people out experiencing the area, it is unfortunate that they don't always respect the environment. For instance, early on Saturday evening a group of uni students arrived at Fed Hut - they had walked up the Bungalow Spur. It wasn't that late, about 7pm - but we were in bed already (the walk up the Bon Accord and across the Razorback in a day is a big walk - at least for us). This group decided that it would be good to have a camp fire and proceeded to gather wood to start a fire near their tent (it is a fuel stove only area)! They were not impressed about us pointing out that they couldn't light the fire (which to their credit they didn't). However, I was annoyed that we had to intervene otherwise they would have lit the fire. Not sure what is a worse reflection on Australian society, but personally I'd prefer less people.

[Lophophaps]

It's good that people are appreciating our wild places, but could these places be so popular that the appeal is no longer there? There's another thread about a lot of people at Mac Springs on Mt Howitt, possibly drawn in by an article in Royaluto, the magazine of the peak Victorian motoring body RACV. Rubbish, human wastes, campfires in FSOA, loss of amenity ... The only reason that these and nearly everywhere else do not have limits is because it is impossible to enforce.

I was on the Bogong High Plains at Easter and sought quieter places. For the first five days it was very nice, just two other small bushwalking parties, two blokes on horseback, and a 4WD legally on an aquaduct track. Dibbins Hut had about 30 people, and there were maybe 100 days trippers at Derrick. The first five days were nicer.

[north-north-west]

The Razorback has always been popular. I've been out on the Fainter/Niggerhead/Loch and seen the relentless army of ants crawling along the ridge. It's a lovely place but I preferred it in winter because there were always fewer people out there.

[andrewbish]

The Razorback has always been popular. I've been out on the Fainter/Niggerhead/Loch and seen the relentless army of ants crawling along the ridge. It's a lovely place but I preferred it in winter because there were always fewer people out there.

Agree! It's a fantastic area under snow. You just need to be prepared...

[Kinsayder]

Interesting insights, thanks! I've done it in the winter a few times, trudging along in snowshoes. I might stick to that approach and maybe make it mid-week too. I've still got the North Razorback to finish and the Champion and Bon Accord Spur to knock off before I move on to some other parts. I've done Bogong a couple of times but feel that there might be more to explore there. Same for tracks near Falls and Howitt. Might keep me away from the hoards too.

[andyszollosi]

Great thread folks!

I agree with what's been said already; it's great running into like minded individuals in the bush, enjoying the wilderness experience! Unfortunately, the people we meet in the bush are not always like minded and sometimes don't give these really precious areas the respect they deserve.

The answer, as always, lies in better education! Which is why it's great to have a thread on this topic on a publicly accessible forum!

If you head out into the bush, you should acknowledge the fact that you are in a public space, where your actions may impact others. Be respectful to your surroundings, and other trail users.

I always stop to have a chat with the people I meet. Often I hear some amazing stories from people I could have simply walked past! It pays to be attentive.

To finish up, here is a great set of 'leave no trace' guidelines by parks and wildlife that we should all be following when we head out there! It's written for Tassie, but applies around the world!

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=406

Happy rambles!

[andyszollosi]

ps: if you want to see the high country without people in it, try September or early October. When I was walking the AAWT, I spent three weeks around the Howitt area in late September without meeting another person!

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Winter snow shoe trekking on weekdays in the VIC ALPS usually reduces the chance of annoying crowds of not so like minded people cramping your style. After all you need to be well equipped and know what you are doing to go pack carry hiking in the snow. The average monger on a summer day trip to the Alpine N.P. isn't going to slog it up the Western ridge of Mt Howitt in winter in full snow with a fully laden pack, plus snow shoes, poles, an ice axe, crampons just in case , thermals , goretex outer shell , map & compass, PLB etc. etc. .

[Kinsayder]

Three weeks without a soul sounds pretty nice, Andy! As for the "like minded" issue, I find that there is a more of a meeting of the minds once the day hikers drop off. I don't want to suggest that day hiking is populated by worthless miscreants but I think there is an overall difference between overnighters and day trip folk. That being said, on Saturday when I arrived at the Fed Hut a fairly seasoned hiker started having a go at me for hiking with a pole, suggesting quite clearly that I was disabled. I'm not, which shouldn't matter anyway. The point is that the guy was a dick (or thought he was funny when he really wasn't). So there can always be a mix; wonderful and boorish, day and multi.

As for snow shoeing, PCV, I've done Feathertop a couple of times with snow shoes. It can be a bit of a slog but so rewarding. As I'm a fairly hands-on father of two and six year old daughters, leave passes are not super common and generally necessitate a Saturday and Sunday circuit or return hike but, insofar as that typical two day hike goes, I'm going to shift that to Sunday and Monday. Hopefully that disperses the meeting of crowds somewhat.

[GBW]

Winter snow shoe trekking on weekdays in the VIC ALPS usually reduces the chance of annoying crowds of not so like minded people cramping your style. After all you need to be well equipped and know what you are doing to go pack carry hiking in the snow. The average monger on a summer day trip to the Alpine N.P. isn't going to slog it up the Western ridge of Mt Howitt in winter in full snow with a fully laden pack, plus snow shoes, poles, an ice axe, crampons just in case , thermals , goretex outer shell , map & compass, PLB etc. etc. .

Everyone's gotta start somewhere.

[Kinsayder]

That's a good point, GBW. My first overnight hike in the high country was so ill considered. I was used to hiking and camping in the bush but wanted to expand my skills (not realising that I'd all but forsake bush for alpine a few years later), so I took my girlfriend of the time up to Falls and we hiked out. We realised that we had a fair bit of stuff and thought it would be fun to hire a toboggan, load our packs and then octopus strap them on. Shortly after departing it started snowing heavily. We kept on until we found an acceptable spot for the tent, maybe a couple of kilometres passed the Rocky Valley Dam. It was a safe distance in case the unforeseen happened. We pitched the tent and spent a night learning about spindrift and the wonders of keeping warm at -7c. It was clumsy but I learnt a lot and kept learning. Shortly after was Bogong, where more learning went on. Then Bogong again. Then the Main Range. And so on. I'm definitely still learning too, 12 years later. So you're right, GBW, it's probably an important thing to keep in mind.

[GBW]

Spot on Kinsayder. It's a learning process. Not so long ago I was one of those 'average mongers' getting out there and learning the ropes. Started with day walks in the bush, in the alps, got some gear, progress to overnighters, multiday, snow etc. As much as I love having a whole mountain to myself, I'm not too worried about other people 'cramping my style', I rate myself quite low on the style scale.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Relax people. I was a beginner not so long ago too( ten years ago ). Now I organize and lead hikes to some amazing places.

[Kinsayder]

Relax people. I was a beginner not so long ago too( ten years ago ). Now I organize and lead hikes to some amazing places.

I'm relaxed, PCV. Although I'm not sure how long that would last if I was organising and leading hikes. I'll stick to my solo activity!