Mount Feathertop

[andrec1]

Hi There, new to the site, but done plenty Bushwalking myself and have done this walk numerous times before kids. In a couple of weeks we are wanting to do day walk from Diamantina hut to Feathertop along razorback,then down Bungalow spur to Harrietville. Car shuttle arrangements are sorted. Party is myself another father, 18yr son, 2 sixteen yr daughters, 1 14yr son. Two of us will have day packs with all the essentials including in case of weather change. All are fit and have done shorter day walks km wise and the 14yr old has recently done a overnighter circuit in the Wallace Hut area approx 20k. We are properly equipped footwear clothing etc. We will be setting off from Diamantina at 9am and plan to be down at Harrietville by 4pm. This is no problem for myself and other father, but when you have others to think about, we don't want this to be a hard slog for the younger ones, at the same time I know this can't be a leisurely stroll. Overnight on this occasion is not an option as other wives are staying in camping ground at Porepunkah and this walk is just part of our trip. Not withstanding weather changes we will keep our options open to do this on the best day available weatherwise. What kind of pace will this walk be to do it in the approx 7 hours with lunch, rest stops, photos taken in?
Any advice appreciated.

[Lophophaps]

Providing the weather does not get bad until below Federation, the plan looks viable, if a bit optimistic for time, subject to keeping at a decent pace. This does not mean rushing; if anything, the contrary. A steady pace with rests every hour or so is good. Try for rests with a view. There are trees about three kilometre in, rest one The first really good place with a view is just shy of Twin Knobs, or at Twin Knobs if you want a bit of shelter, rest two. These rest stops give about an hour to do three kilometre each, not too fast. From Twin Knobs it's about 40 minutes to so to the summit turnoff. The summit is about 30 minutes up. So if you leave at 9 am you should get to Feathertop summit in 3.5-4 hours, lunch on top.

On the way back, you can take the Tom Kneen track towards MUMC for about ten minutes to the spring. From Federation it should take about three hours, mostly downhill. There are creeks and soaks on this track. At the end, be aware that it's a small slog into Harrietville.

You may know this, but I'll risk it: keep together. This is especially important for groups with children in them. I'm aware of an incident on The Razorback where this did not happen and it ended in tears - literally - amidst lightning strikes, spot fires and a chopper evacuation.

[Earwig]

Nothing there a teenager shouldn't be able to manage. There aren't any huge climbs and with only day packs you should be able to do it, though it will be a long, tiring day. As Lophophaps said, sticking together will be the big thing - the bigger the group the slower you travel. Given their ages I'd also make everyone carry thier own day pack with their water, jacket, tucker and explain that they need to ration it over the day. As the leader I'd carry extra rations just in case they don't.

Personally, I’d save this hike until I had more time so that I didn’t have to push it (though carrying a full pack does up the ante). There are heaps of good options for a day walk – The Bluff, Mt Stirling, Cobbler, Cathedral Ranges - and Feathertop ain't going anywhere so you can do it later.

[Earwig]

And here's a link to a pic from a recent trip over Feathertop.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/follypics ... otostream/

[andrec1]

Thanks guys, for your comments and tips. Acknowledge your comments re staying together, that is a given. I have been up there when the weather has dramatically changed for the worse in a remarkably short time. Lophophaps, thanks for the rest stop tips, I have marked them on my map and will do to on GPS. It's a while since I was there, however I am sure once I get there those stops will be familiar. I will also take your tip on the water off the Tom Kneen track I'd forgotten that option, was going to use the spring below Federation. We'll get picked up at the bottom of the track, to avoid the walk back into Harrietville.
Earwig, we met on the weekend and agreed the kids are taking daypacks too with these items, with me with the surplus. I know what your saying re; other options, the kids have already done the Cathederals day walk, and as we are up that way and given the razerback has little vertical climb the lack of that makes up for the distance we have to cover. Also if the weather is good and they enjoy this area, then next we could do a circuit, couple of nights out, like razorback, (fed stay) diamantina spur, dibbins,(stay) swindlers, back up to hotham, which is one I really like.
What I do need to look at though is "PLAN B" for our trip in fortnight in case the weather is too poor to go along such an exposed track as the razorback. What other day walks up there do you recommend where there is more shelter.We've already done Mt Hotham to Dinner Plain on the track. Any others? Really love your photo of Feathertop, that is a less typical shot of the razorback, really majestic!, the Niggerheads and Bogong look larger than life, what mm lense was on the Olympus for that shot, looks like it's all pulled in a fair bit?

[Lophophaps]

If the weather is poor at on The Razorback, anywhere at altitude may be a bit dramatic. A walk in lower forests may be indicated. The ski trails at Hotham may be an option.

[Earwig]

No such thing as bad weather, just bad choice of clothing.

Option 1: If the forecast is for “isolated showers” or “areas of rain” or something like that rug up and go for it.
Option 2: If you’re not sure if it will clear/build up, consider going up Bungalow Spur. You will then avoid the exposed ridge and can decide if Feathertop summit is on when you get to Federation Hut. Turning back is always a hard decision though and people need to be aware it might be the case before you set off.
Option 3: Bad weather in this part of the world usually comes from the north west so head south and west. Baw Baw might be clear. Other options include maybe Mt Buffalo (Mt McLeod perhaps), Cobbler Plateau, Mt Samaria, or even Lake Eildon (Mountaineer Creek).

The camera is a point and shoot with a plastic lens in the corner, so I’m not sure about the focal length. It was taken through a plane window as we flew over the area and that might have distorted the image a bit.

Just looked up the focal length - 15mm.

[Earwig]

This link will help with your planning. The Mt Hotham forecast should cover Feathertop, but poke around the site - there's lots of info.
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/index.shtml?ref=hdr

[andrec1]

Thanks, I'm going to keep my fingers x'd, we have a window of 4 days, and can pick any day out of the 4 to do this, our gear is good, so if the best we get is isolated showers we will go for it."No such thing as bad weather, just bad choice of clothing" - not a truer word spoken. I don't mind walking in the valley, the kids are inspired by views though! up & down Bungalow is last resort, 5 hrs up, I will be in the bad books! and need to foster their and their friends desire to want to do bushwalking into their adult life. I look at that BOM site most days and I will definitely be using it when we are camping up that way to decide best day to go. You were low in that plane! Hence why that shot is an unusual one of that area, really like it. Thanks again.

[andrec1]

Actually, I have to buy the kids a base layer top each for this walk, given the time of the year would you recommend Merino T shirt or a Synthetic T shirt. I'm leaning to the Merino, because I can't image it's going to be all that hot up there in a little over a week, what do you recommend? They have thermals but they would be too hot on the walk.

[icefest]

I wouldn't bother with merino for the 14 year old - he'll grow out of it on two years.

I prefer using this website instead of the BoM.
For the next week, around 8 degrees is forecast - I'd probably get them all a synthetic long sleeve shirt - and take a warm jumper and hardshell jacket - for if the weather turns.
With less than 10kmh wind they're unlikely to feel cold while walking.

[andrec1]

Ok, that makessence, ended getting synthetic, thanks for that website a lot better, more so than the snow cam site that I also visit.