Track to Rats Castle

[Peak Bagpiper]

A couple of weeks back, a trip back up norf via the Central Highlands offered an opportunity to knock out a tune atop Rats Castle.

With trusty Abels Vol 1 as a guide, the directions to Middle Brandum were spot-on and the sneaky car park found. Then it all went a bit pear-shaped. A bit of futile bushbashing through some unloved scrub yielded naff-all and, upon advice from a local, inspecting the area just off the cutting back towards Liawenee revealed an area really suited for disposing of bodies and little else (but handy to know just in case).

So, what part of 'Rats Castle and how to get there 101' did I fail to take notice of to bag this one?

P.S. If there no track at all anymore, that'd be handy to know as well.

[Azza]

I don't think there ever was a track.

Its a route and bashing some scrub and navigation is required.

[stu]

If you park in the correct spot (near the bridge) & follow the creek along the old fence line, then it should be straightforward to the top, then along to the trig (if you get a good line that is; there are boulder field flows that lead all the way to the top). Failing that it is a very easy off track walk to the top...just head uphill

[Nuts]

Cool, Iv'e heard of The(?) peak bagpiper, that's something different, any vids?

[Peak Bagpiper]

Great stuff, folks! Will have another dip at it.

Not sure if I am "The" or just "A" Peak Bagpiper. Certainly haven't run into any others yet, though and there aren't too many pipers around the place let alone those odd enough to cart them up 'ills!

Haven't got much vid footage, just stills, but could certainly do some of that.

[north-north-west]

There's a vague braided pad through the first bit of scrub and the buttongrass, but it doesn't go very far. Just pick your line carefully on the scree, and have fun. And don't hurry on the way down, even if it is late evening and there is a storm on the way.

[ollster]

I always imagined Corvus as a bit of a pipe wielding maniac.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Bagpipes and tuxedos on mtns.... what is the world coming to!

Novel idea, but (and don't take this personally) alot of ppl go to the mtns to escape noise pollution. If some tartaned git started blowing bagpipes while I was on a mtn, i'd be inclined to throw said bagpipes and said blower off the side of the mtn.

[north-north-west]

If some tartaned git started blowing bagpipes while I was on a mtn, i'd be inclined to throw said bagpipes and said blower off the side of the mtn.

I wondered why we hadn't heard from doogs lately . . .

[ollster]

I wondered why we hadn't heard from doogs lately . . .

He had a heart attack after eating the Hungry Wombat double burger with the lot.

[north-north-west]

I went for the *&%$#! Big Burger, or whatever it is. Double everything. I can still taste it . . .

[Nuts]

Bagpipes and tuxedos on mtns.... what is the world coming to!

Novel idea, but (and don't take this personally) alot of ppl go to the mtns to escape noise pollution. If some tartaned git started blowing bagpipes while I was on a mtn, i'd be inclined to throw said bagpipes and said blower off the side of the mtn.

Oh, c'mon mr grumpy, not as if he's going to be on Every peak, following you around like.. (especially now lol)
So long as it wasn't amazing grace, who cares!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha yeh maybe..... If it was Ossa or somewhere equally as dull it'd be ok.. but if they were on a real peak, somewhere remote i'd be annoyed.

[Nuts]

what, like yop yop, he'd be safe there!!?? : )

[ILUVSWTAS]

Good suggestion! Lets send him there!!

[doogs]

I've always wanted to climb a peak in my kilt but I don't know if I have the balls to pull it off (excuse the double entendre).

[stepbystep]

I heard a harpist up at Mt Field once. It was rather beautiful. Bagpipes must be an acquired taste though, sounds like a herd of burning cats to me...

[norts]

I had yodeller at Frenchmans, I was walking with a mate and he had brought along another mate that I didnt know. Half way along the track he starts to yodel, mate looks back at me and says "yeah I forgot to tell you about that". As we climbed down from the Cap to Tahune he yodelled and it was great, it echoed around that cauldron, you can see why the Swiss did it in the mountains. He was a good yodeller. I would only advocate yodelling in certain places and not as you are wandering along the track.
Roger

[ollster]

I went for the *&%$#! Big Burger, or whatever it is. Double everything. I can still taste it . . .

I must be twice your size and I have decided on sight that I'm never having one.

[Taurë-rana]

We played Waltzing Matilda on the top of Federation Peak, a ukelele and 2 tin whistles...

[doogs]

I went for the *&%$#! Big Burger, or whatever it is. Double everything. I can still taste it . . .

I must be twice your size and I have decided on sight that I'm never having one.

It was good, 1kg of food of which 900g is protein. Great for muscle repair after a good walk Slightly disappointed that I didn't eat the lid of the bun, s'pose there's always next time to give it a go

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[corvus]

I always imagined Corvus as a bit of a pipe wielding maniac.

Actually ollster the only pipe I would be likely to wield would be a big lead one on your cheeky fat bonce with maniacal glee
In an erstwhile life I fronted many Rock /Cabaret Bands (which paid for my house) and the guitar is my weapon of choice
corvus

[ollster]

Funny, I picked you as more of a woodwind guy.

Cabaret Bands

The mind boggles...

[corvus]

Funny, I picked you as more of a woodwind guy.

Cabaret Bands

The mind boggles...

What olli ? you actually think before posting ? don't let it tax your brain and will be interested to know your talents
corvus

[ollster]

What olli ? you actually think before posting ? don't let it tax your brain and will be interested to know your talents
corvus

I'll let my prior record speak for itself. And I'm a jackoff all trades, master of none.

[Peak Bagpiper]

What more motivation do I need to get out and get climbing than to hopefully run into some of you uncultured folk and provide you all with some much-needed kulcha!

P.S. If I resorted to playing Amazing Grace, I'd throw myself off.

[north-north-west]

I went for the *&%$#! Big Burger, or whatever it is. Double everything. I can still taste it . . .

I must be twice your size and I have decided on sight that I'm never having one.

It was good, 1kg of food of which 900g is protein. Great for muscle repair after a good walk

+1
Anther good reason to go back to St Clair, apart from a few peaks I still have to bag.