Eldon Range

[ILUVSWTAS]

A group of 8 (Me, Stu, Azz, Ollster, Lagaroo, Fizzygood, Doogs and mr 80%) of us set off on a journey to this range recently. We had a boat ferry us across lake Burbury as far as the waterless lake would allow. Unfortunately drop off point was 2k's further back than we had hoped due to the lack of water.

8 soon became 7 when one member of the group (Ollster) suffered HUGE anxiety attacks and refused to get off the boat, it was not a good start to the trip.

Thunder greeted us from the direction of the stormy looking Eldon peak and little did we know at the time what the change in weather would bring us for the next 6 days.....

We proceeded to walk the dried up lake to the top end where we were lucky enough to pick up a very old road which took us to the South Eldon river. After finding a crossing point of the river we set off following the river north. Soon after we came to a spot in the forest suitable for 7 tents.

The next day we started the long slow plod uphill (1200m of ascent) carrying very heavy packs (ranging from 19kg-27kg) Eldon peak is a big big mountain and it took most of the day to slowly plod our way up. Closer to the top the weather deteriorated fast and we were soon in cloud and mist for the final few hundred metres of ascent. Sure enough though we eventually reached the top. Mostly pleased with the lack of scrub, only a few short sections of nasty stuff on day 2 was a good start!

After a short stop on top in mist we made for where we knew the camp site to be, and sure enough below us a small tarn came into view, very very happy to see this we soon had the tents set up and settled in for the evening. Around 6pm i noticed on my pack a few ice crystals starting to form, so i moved everything into my vestible. Sure enough when i woke the following morning there was heavy ice covering everything! Sheets of ice would fall off the tents as you opened the fly. We knew this day was meant to be a long slow difficult day of boulder hopping, so after some brief discussion, it was decided it was too dangerous to proceed. There was a fierce cold wind blowing, and combined with the ice we knew it was too dangerous to risk prolonged exposure in these conditions. TENTBOUND!! And on day 3! So we spent the day eating and playing cards.

Day 4 was slightly better, no ice but quite wet. No-one wanted to retreat down the peak and walk the lake with our tails between our legs, so it was agreed by all we would proceed! It was a very slow day making our way through the chaotic maze of messy boulders that makes up the range, no pack hauling was required, but much damage was done to gear, several holes in packs, jackets and over pants were soon discovered over the next days. By the time we reached our camp for the night we were all soaked to the skin and freezing cold, it was a race to get the tents set up (in puddles of water) before hyperthermia set in. Little did we know it was to get worse.

Day 5 was one of the most horrible experiences i have ever had walking. Putting on 4 layers of clothing, all soaking wet, then overpants and jacket soaking wet to go outside in the freezing rain/sleet and pack up the gear, by the time i did my laces up i had lost all feeling in my fingers. Soon enough we were all freezing cold and wet but ready to move on. This day the boulders continued for most of the day, very exciting walking, but we had had nothing but mist to this stage and navigation was very difficult relying totally on our GPS's to make sure we stayed on route. Luckily i had plotted a rough route on my unit before leaving home, so we had a rough guide to follow and only a couple of small mistakes were made. About 2pm then clouds parted and the sun came out... the hoots and cheering that followed was one of the happiest moments I have ever been a part of, seeing the sun really lifted the groups morale NO end! The weather continued to improve dramatically which was amazing timing as we were just starting to approach Eldon Bluff. By the time we got close to it, we had full views in all directions! And wow, what a view it was. Eldon Bluff is massive, and truly amazing!
We made our way to the saddle and pulled out some wet clothing to dry while some of us climbed Eldon Bluff.
After a retreat to the saddle we descended to lake Ewart, which proved to be a lot scrubbier than it looked from the top, it was here we left the boulders for good and traded for scrub, scrub, and some heavy scrub. One member of the group who hadnt done much off track walking prior to this trip was REALLY feeling fatigued by this stage and we were quite concerned by the time we got to the lake that we may have a situation on our hands... luckily the following day was a designated rest/sidetrip day, so he got a chance to refuel.

Day 6 3 of us set off for Dome Hill. Mostly open pleasant walking with lots of fossils in average weather. around 4.5 hrs return.

Day 7 we moved on again.... away from Ewart and up to the ridge near Castle mtn. Scrub medium. 4 of us climbed Castle mtn while the others rested near a small tarn, a little scrubby on the ascent, but pretty easy. Then we headed towards another scrubby ridge which we siddled around to another scrubby ridge heading towards High Dome. By this stage the weather had turned to hot, and it was with much delight we found a few tarns up high on the ridge with commanding views in all directions. The reserve looked especially close with Cradle, Barn, Pelion West, Ossa and Nereus all looking amazing, Frenchmans and the POW dominated the view to the south. We enjoyed our first social night being able to cook out of our tents and in each others company. Up until this point the trip was really a "get to know your tent" type trip.

Day 8 Another hot day, and boy was i sick.... I hadnt managed much sleep as i had been up with a bad case of the *&^%$#@!. Highly explosive in fact, 3 of the guys set off at 7am to climb High Dome, but I was way too unwell. It took them just over 2 hrs. Doogs who was planning an early exit packed up and headed off solo when they got back, and it was decided I was too unwell to travel far this day, so another layday was called. A few hrs later and after swallowing several "gastro stop" tablets i was feeling slightly better, and absolutely OVER my tent, i decided to attempt High Dome myself. Much to the disgust of a couple of my walking partners, I just felt so much better to be moving around, but carrying a full pack was beyond me. I made the summit, but it took nearly 4 hrs return.
Amazing views, an amazing mountain.
It was now decided that we didnt have enough days left to finish the walk to lake St Clair, so we decided to follow Doogs out over Pidgeon house hill to the Lyell highway. I had ph reception, so managed to ask a mate to pick us up in 2 days time on the highway as our cars were at lake St Clair.

Day 9 Still $#!+ing water and bile, but no choice but to move on!! It was a slow trip down to 5 duck tarn where we found the camping to be quite ordinary. Very happy with our decision to camp high rather than at this dank little tarn, we filled up our bottles and moved on to the South Eldon river where we hoped to pick up a pad leading up to junction hill. Many thanks to Peter Franklin for some track notes had us picking up the pad shortly after leaving the river. We managed to follow this for the next few hrs on and off all the way to Rocky Hill where our next camp was planned. What an amazing campsite it was too, very similar to the WOJ with alpine heaths and pencil pines as big as i have seen anywhere!

Day 10 Still sick.... and now running out of poo free clothing to wear i was REALLY starting to look forward to getting home and seeing my toilet. And my child.. but mostly my toilet.
Following the occasional footstep of Doogs we headed down the rough pad over Pidgeon house hill and to the river. A crossing of near waist deep (which i for one was thankfull for the wash) followed and soon we were on the highway and nearly home!! I hadnt even gotten my gaiters off when one of our group had managed to wave a car down and scored all 6 of us a lift in a campervan to lake St Clair!!

Summary - a hard trip with moderate scrub, and difficult boulders to negotiate. Certainly only recommended for people comfortable navigating in extremely remote areas and at times with no land marks to guide.
Eldon Bluff and High Dome are 2 amazing mountains I shall never forget.
Walking ill is not easy. Walking in freezing conditions for days on end is testing, trying to keep sleeping bag and one set of clothes dry in those conditions is really really not easy.
10 day trips in a large group can be fun, but also challenging at times when all members are young-mid aged men full of testosterone.
As i touched upon, alot of gear was destroyed on this trip. 3 or 4 packs (BRAND NEW packs) came out with large holes, one brand new goretex jacket got 2 holes, over pants were shredded and torn.. yes good gear is essential for such a trip.

I am unable to put any photos up at this stage, but will do so mid week when I finally get my good computer back.

[Nuts]

Awesome, excellent, I didn't want to ask so thanks for posting. Sounds like you had a tough time up there eh...
cheers

[ILUVSWTAS]

Awesome, excellent, I didn't want to ask so thanks for posting. Sounds like you had a tough time up there eh...
cheers

Pleasure.
Up until I got sick, I was doing it easy. Besides the challenging weather, I was feeling great! Then the *&^%$#@! took hold of me and I am today still not prepared to venture far from my loo.

Amazing country, no signs of humans anywhere excpet for a little tower on MT Reid!! Fantastic to know there's still places you can go and excape the hideous scars of forestrys destruction.

[Nuts]

I have a couple of questions, i'll leave them for a while. Good luck with the toilet thing, been there a few times. Odd that you caught something out there, before you left? dodgy food perhaps? Anyhow.. great post (i dont think iv'e seen that may words from you in one place lol..) Cheers!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

I have a couple of questions, i'll leave them for a while. Good luck with the toilet thing, been there a few times. Odd that you caught something out there, before you left? dodgy food perhaps? Anyhow.. great post (i dont think iv'e seen that may words from you in one place lol..) Cheers!!

Well im here now if you do want to ask... PM or public, tis all good!!

Didnt get sick til day 7, so doubt it was something i had before i left... Possibly something i ate out there, most of my food was very basic, I didnt have any fresh stuff like cheese or salami. Just unlucky I hope.....

And haha yeh big post for me... all seriousness too, i must still be sick!!

[stepbystep]

I didnt have any fresh stuff like cheese or salami. Just unlucky I hope.....

lol, here's some news matey, neither cheese nor salami is fresh food! You do crack me up!

Nice report though, can't wait for the other 7....

[ILUVSWTAS]

I didnt have any fresh stuff like cheese or salami. Just unlucky I hope.....

lol, here's some news matey, neither cheese nor salami is fresh food! You do crack me up!

Nice report though, can't wait for the other 7....

It's ALOT fresher than backcountry...

[tasadam]

lol, here's some news matey, neither cheese nor salami is fresh food! You do crack me up!

In my book it is when you're on a walk!

Mark, an excellent post, I enjoyed reading it and am thankful for having read your story.
Wish I was there.

[ILUVSWTAS]

lol, here's some news matey, neither cheese nor salami is fresh food! You do crack me up!

In my book it is when you're on a walk!

Mark, an excellent post, I enjoyed reading it and am thankful for having read your story.
Wish I was there.

Exactly Adam!! Poor old Dan hasnt done much more than a few 3-5 day walks though, so he doesnt know what he's saying....

And thanks for the response Adam, it was an amazing experience. We really felt quite mortal at times, in fact we commented on how easy it would be to die out there. Slip on a wet boulder in snow and sleet, crack a head and your gone. No way a chopper could have come near.

[weetbix456]

Thanks heaps for such a massive (and honest) write-up! Sure sounds like one of those unforgetable tent-tale epics. Really looking forward to seeing those photos! Shame ollster had to bail and you couldn't make your way out with doogs. Oh, and shame about your poor *&%$#!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thanks heaps for such a massive (and honest) write-up! Sure sounds like one of those unforgetable tent-tale epics. Really looking forward to seeing those photos! Shame ollster had to bail and you couldn't make your way out with doogs. Oh, and shame about your poor *&%$#!

Lol, yeh my poor a-hole is still suffering... Went through a full roll of loo paper in half a day, I only packed 1.5, thankfully Stu had packed 3 so had a spare to give me....

Yep it was an unforettable trip. Had it all, highs and lows.

Doogs may even add his own tale of solo escape when he gets around to it, pretty damn hardcore of him to walk out by himself from where we were!!

[tasadam]

Stu... 3 rolls of loo paper for yourself? Mate, were you the one with 27 kilo's? Good on you for sharing it regardless.

Or was it you slipping laxatives to Mark and had planned the whole thing

(Just Joking)

[ILUVSWTAS]

Stu... 3 rolls of loo paper for yourself? Mate, were you the one with 27 kilo's? Good on you for sharing it regardless.

Or was it you slipping laxatives to Mark and had planned the whole thing

(Just Joking)

Hahaha yeh he was the one with 27kg... and yeh I gave him hell for carrying 3 rolls, i'd used less than half a roll thru the first 6-7 days, last 3 days i used nearly 2... so i am full of nothing but gratitude for him carrying that extra roll believe you me!!!!

[weetbix456]

it's a wonder you're still full of anything

[ILUVSWTAS]

it's a wonder you're still full of anything

Hahahaha nice..... I did eat 2 pizzas last night.

[doogs]

Now for the Scooby doo ending, dodadodo, dodadodo,..........
I had originally planned to leave the rest of the group at Rocky Hill on the saturday morning of the trip for a walk down Pigeon House Hill alone whilst they headed east to Pyramid Mountain and beyond. That was the plan, instead I found myself at the saddle below High Dome at 10am on Saturday, having just climbed the mountain that morning and a good days walk from where I had hoped to be. To make matters worse the rest of the group weren't moving that day due to ILUVs unfortunate circumstances. Stay with the group and walk out the day before I needed to be back at work or head off alone, neither sounded too appealing. I opted for the later buoyed by the fair sized cairn on High Dome I decided I would easy pick up a pad here and there to speed me along. Duh! How wrong can you be, I wandered through mild scrub as far as five duck tarn, which is more like a duck pond, but alone this was fairly tiring and kept glancing back up the hill thinking whether or not to retreat to safety in numbers. Again I continued hoping to pick up a pad from five duck. No pad, just scrub, luckily water was easy to find to keep me hydrated.
The next 6 hours to the top of Junction Hill were pure purgatory, every bit of scrub and cutting grass would wrap itself around my legs and boots sapping my strength with every stride, or plod as they were by then. Occasional seeing signs of there once being a track but impossible to follow. Once sidling around the top of the hill I headed for the GPS coordinates I had been given, thinking they would only serve to keep me on course I was amazed to find The Ewart track cut through a large band of scrub, with patience I followed it through to the other side as I was easy to lose. I ascended the next hill exhausted, found a suitable pool, dumped my pack getting ready to set up for the evening, I checked the time 6.30, "*&%$#! it" on with the pack there's a couple more hours of day light left "the further you get today, the less you have to do tomorrow". Sporadically stomping in the mud as I went to let the rest of the group know of my passing. I staggered over Rocky Hill at around 8.15 then spying a flat area and water due south, that was to be camp. I managed to get the tent up as light was fading fast and made myself a couple of mountain bread and cheese sandwiches for dinner washed down with some gatorade, cooking was not for me that evening.
After fitful nights sleep I got up at first light to the most amazing sun lifting my spirits once more, I was going home and I would be at the car in about 5 hours I thought to myself. After breakfast I was packed and away shortly before 7 and plodding nicely in the direction of Pigeon House Hill. Using my GPS to navigate through the scrub I managed the Ewart track through the worst of it, but occasionally getting it wrong and having to do a lovely solo scrub bash now and again. My GPS kept telling me I would be arriving at my destination at around 11.30, suits me I thought "home by mid afternoon". I managed to hit the Ewart track again going through the forest and scrub down to Pigeon House Hill and I could see the car!!! Rather than being patient and scout around again for the track I hurtled headlong down a fairly open sloped with glee think I would be at the car in 30 minutes, how wrong could I be.... Bang straight into Bauera swimming around making no discernible progress, then oops into the horrie disappearing in rotten holes up to my neck and spending 10 minutes trying to extract myself. 2 1/2 hours later and on the verge of tears I heard a noise, and it wasnt the stream I had been following, it was the Collingwood river. I headed to the noise and wandered up and down its bank looking for a suitable place to cross, of course finding the start of the Ewart track in the process. Crossing was relatively easy with the water at its widest only being thigh deep.
It was now 1pm.The walk from the river to the road, although only 200m, was exhausting. I had pushed myself hard to get that far and my body knew it was nearly over. Getting to the car I slammed down a warm lemonade which tasted so,so good then put on clean clothes and headed to The Hungry Wombat for some deliciously salty hot chips.
When I got home there was a party in full swing for a friend, and my mother in law made the comment that I looked like I had just got out of a concentration camp!!!! The food was most welcome.
A few photos, I will add more at a later date.

[Azza]

Hahaha yeh he was the one with 27kg... and yeh I gave him hell for carrying 3 rolls, i'd used less than half a roll thru the first 6-7 days, last 3 days i used nearly 2...

I bet you were glad!

I carried 3 rolls as well.. they weigh stuff all and you if vacuum seal them and they take up next to no room...
Haven't been in your situation before and having had to bail out other people a couple of times on other walks you can't have enough + gastro stop tablets help as well...

Remember what I said to you ultralight freaks.... if you forget anything important you are on your own
Unfortunately we're not mean enough to let you fester in your own filth.....

[tasadam]

I hadn't considered that much roll for a walk before, but, I haven't encountered the dreaded loose bowels like that either.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha yeh he was the one with 27kg... and yeh I gave him hell for carrying 3 rolls, i'd used less than half a roll thru the first 6-7 days, last 3 days i used nearly 2...

I bet you were glad!

I carried 3 rolls as well.. they weigh stuff all and you if vacuum seal them and they take up next to no room...
Haven't been in your situation before and having had to bail out other people a couple of times on other walks you can't have enough + gastro stop tablets help as well...

Remember what I said to you ultralight freaks.... if you forget anything important you are on your own
Unfortunately we're not mean enough to let you fester in your own filth.....

Well An extra toilet roll is hardly going to put my into the category of you and Stu with your grossly oversized packs. Watching you stumble about, getting stuck in between trees, struggle to lift your feet in your 6kg shoes.... no I think im happy with my set up thanks very much.

Still, your right aobut the tablets and carrying an emergency roll. They will both be regulars in my kit now!!

[stepbystep]

...how wrong could I be.... Bang straight into Bauera swimming around making no discernible progress, then oops into the horrie disappearing in rotten holes up to my neck and spending 10 minutes trying to extract myself. 2 1/2 hours later and on the verge of tears I heard a noise, and it wasnt the stream I had been following, it was the Collingwood river.

Nice one doogs. I bet the anxiety of the Collingwood crossing didn't help! So many times what should be an easy half hour turns into 2 hours of terror. Having reviewed a recent walk I did I can see how 5 minutes spent thinking could have saved so much time of torture!

[Nuts]

I carried 3 rolls as well.. they weigh stuff all and you if vacuum seal them and they take up next to no room...

Even less if you push the cardboard tube from the center You fellas have been pushing that cardboard out right?

Good one doogs, you seem to have that camera working well.

[Phil]

Thanks Mark and Doogs for your reports, it certainly does sound like it was an unforgettable trip!

[Azza]

no I think im happy with my set up thanks very much.

At least you know you can always rely on your mates

[Son of a Beach]

Wow... fantastic read - sounds like a trip with some serious highs and lows.

The photos tell a very different story to the narrative!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Wow... fantastic read - sounds like a trip with some serious highs and lows.

The photos tell a very different story to the narrative!

Sure was. Epic in the true sense of the word!! There were not many photos taken on days 3-6. Probably an indication of the conditions.

[doogs]

the crap days;

after a damp short walk on our first day this was our intimate camp.

waking up on day 3, ice, no boulder hopping that day!

Day 4 constant rain the day before and overnight, didnt need to go far for water this morning!

[Mr 80%]

Wow, not exactly how I remember this '*&%$#!' (for lack of a better name for ILUVSWTAS run in with gastro).

i decided to attempt High Dome myself. Much to the disgust of a couple of my walking partners, I just felt so much better to be moving around, but carrying a full pack was beyond me. I made the summit, but it took nearly 4 hrs return.

I think it would be fair so say I was one of the disgusted walking partners (and one that voiced it), and the way ILUVSWTAS is trying to paint him self in this thread as a reasonable person that works as part of a bush walking team/group while suggesting some others in the team where not pulling there weight/doing there best without complaint makes me more disgusted than I would have been had I unexpectedly unearthed one of his 'little presents'.

Firstly the people ILUVSWTAS is saying had 'grossly oversized packs' are the same people that supplied him (without hesitation) with the resources (that they had carried for 7 days) he needed to finish the walk. His lack of proper preparation is a reflection on him not a reflection on us. For him to turn around and suggest that all the weight we where carrying slowed him down by falling and tripping is a joke. Not once on the entire trip did I here one complaint from anyone about the weight of there pack, or notice people stumbling because of it.

It was without a doubt the most selfish, unnecessary dangerous and irresponsible things I have ever seen in all my walking (and I have done a lot). For the record ILUVSWTAS when you first got back and was talking to us I very nearly slapped you, in hindsight we should have all lined up and took turns. You may be an experienced peak bagger ILUVSWTAS but I would warn anyone thinking of walking with you that you are NOT I repeat NOT an experienced bush walker and
CAN NOT be counted on in a pinch, It's quite obvious that you are only interested in looking after your self and your walking goals and could not even give a gastro ridden s#!* about anyone else you are walking with.

When ILUVSWTAS told us that he was too sick to even pack up camp, we instantly changed our plan so we could give him a rest day. About 1hour later he spat that gift back in our face by not resting and instead bagged a peak in 5.5 hours (over 2 times what it took healthy people and at the hottest part of a hot day). When he finally got back (after we where getting worried because he was taking so long) the smug look on his face as he said "at least I got my peak" was one of the lowest acts I have ever seen out bush and the reason I wanted to slap him. The other nomination for 'lowest act on a bush walk" came the next day when a man that was well enough and happy enough to do a side trip (on a day set aside just for him the get well) tried to sit at the back all day through heavy scrub. I guess "I just felt so much better ..." was only true when it suited him. Of course he was not allowed to get away with his malingering.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Well I appretiate your honesty if nothing else Dave.

Probably safe to say it was a once off occasion though as I doubt very much we'll be walking together again anytime soon.


BTW, only *&^%$#@! slap.

[sthughes]

Wow, not exactly how I remember this '*&%$#!' (for lack of a better name for ILUVSWTAS run in with gastro).

i decided to attempt High Dome myself. Much to the disgust of a couple of my walking partners, I just felt so much better to be moving around, but carrying a full pack was beyond me. I made the summit, but it took nearly 4 hrs return.

I think it would be fair so say I was one of the disgusted walking partners (and one that voiced it), and the way ILUVSWTAS is trying to paint him self in this thread as a reasonable person that works as part of a bush walking team/group while suggesting some others in the team where not pulling there weight/doing there best without complaint makes me more disgusted than I would have been had I unexpectedly unearthed one of his 'little presents'.

Firstly the people ILUVSWTAS is saying had 'grossly oversized packs' are the same people that supplied him (without hesitation) with the resources (that they had carried for 7 days) he needed to finish the walk. His lack of proper preparation is a reflection on him not a reflection on us. For him to turn around and suggest that all the weight we where carrying slowed him down by falling and tripping is a joke. Not once on the entire trip did I here one complaint from anyone about the weight of there pack, or notice people stumbling because of it.

It was without a doubt the most selfish, unnecessary dangerous and irresponsible things I have ever seen in all my walking (and I have done a lot). For the record ILUVSWTAS when you first got back and was talking to us I very nearly slapped you, in hindsight we should have all lined up and took turns. You may be an experienced peak bagger ILUVSWTAS but I would warn anyone thinking of walking with you that you are NOT I repeat NOT an experienced bush walker and
CAN NOT be counted on in a pinch, It's quite obvious that you are only interested in looking after your self and your walking goals and could not even give a gastro ridden s#!* about anyone else you are walking with.

When ILUVSWTAS told us that he was too sick to even pack up camp, we instantly changed our plan so we could give him a rest day. About 1hour later he spat that gift back in our face by not resting and instead bagged a peak in 5.5 hours (over 2 times what it took healthy people and at the hottest part of a hot day). When he finally got back (after we where getting worried because he was taking so long) the smug look on his face as he said "at least I got my peak" was one of the lowest acts I have ever seen out bush and the reason I wanted to slap him. The other nomination for 'lowest act on a bush walk" came the next day when a man that was well enough and happy enough to do a side trip (on a day set aside just for him the get well) tried to sit at the back all day through heavy scrub. I guess "I just felt so much better ..." was only true when it suited him. Of course he was not allowed to get away with his malingering.

Ouch!

Thanks for the report all of you guys (and for the increasingly interesting topic!), very interesting read.

[ollster]

BTW, only *&^%$#@! slap.

Lol. Looks like I missed out on some sexual tension. Inappropriate rant Dave, *&%$#! poor form and badly done.

In my defence I didn't have an anxiety attack, I just flat out said that I wasn't going. And I didn't refuse to get off the boat, I refused to get on it. I only ended up on the boat to humour Stu. As it was it was a sensible decision, as a) the conditions were *&%$#!, and b) I was not in good enough shape and I *&%$#! knew it.