Mt Rufus and Hugel

[frenchy_84]

I should start by saying it was more than the walk that made it unenjoyable, the rain and cloud didnt help team morale, but after summiting Gell we then headed down the Spur on the north side of Australia Tarn where we came across rocky outcrops with Fagus and Pandani, some times we would be 3-5m off the ground in the vegetation trying to make our way down the outcrops. and then from australia tarn we travelled along the north side of the Hippogrif and then on the decent in to the valley we came across steep slabby sections which in the wet was abit of a challenge to descend, i think we should have gone further north and then descended. and then there is the button grass plains that just drag on.

[stu]

Yeah, I think the weather can make such a huge difference to a trip & team morale.
The challenging terrain that you laugh at in blue bird conditions can be the same terrain that you curse at when it's wet & miserable.
Our day 1 was wet & boring but the next 3 days were superb with great camp sites & great morale amongst everyone.
Hoping the Easter break this year will turn on the good weather

[doogs]

I had a good look and took pics from Rufus. If you pick your route carefully you should avoid the worst of the scrub. Would the trip be feasable in 2 days?

[frenchy_84]

Scrub wasnt the issue it was more rocky outcrops.
i would think that 2 days would be pushing it for even one of stus epics, and you might as well do the cheyne range while your there. We did it by going from lake st clair in the afternoon and walking to the little tarn near little hugel. Next day climbed Hugel then dropped down in to the valley and 3/4 of the way up the Cheyne Range, next day summit Cheyne walked across the ridge to Gell and then down to Australia tarn, and final day walked out to lake dixon and out on to the highway where i walked most of the way to lake st clair before being able to hitch a lift to lake st clair.

[stepbystep]

Gell has been done as a daywalk if your that way inclined

[frenchy_84]

Gell has been done as a daywalk if your that way inclined

well F-Bomb me!

[doogs]

I did have a sneaky look around the west side on my MTB, but the track was too overgrown an could only get 6km from Gell before I would have needed to scrub bash. Lake Dixon looks the only feasable way.

[stepbystep]

Not sure of their route, will ask when I can.

[stu]

Yeah Dan, I think Tony went in via the Lake Dixon / The Hippogriff.
I think around 10 hours return so the 'usual' Tiger Walk I'd assume

It would be a wasted trip tho (unless you wanted to go back);
the traverse to Cheyne & out over Hugel is such a superb walk (again, in the right conditions).

The camp we had between Gell & Cheyne was superb, up there with the best of the Franks, just no external views (being in a dip).
It was as level & as manicured as any golf green with a little stream running through the middle of it & surrounded by Pencil Pine forests:

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[stepbystep]

Yeah Dan, I think Tony went in via the Lake Dixon / The Hippogriff.
I think around 10 hours return so the 'usual' Tiger Walk I'd assume

I have no plans to repeat his effort stu, must be a strong walker, also did Stepped Hills in a day out of my league I'm afraid.
I'll wait for the opportunity to do a trip like the one you guys did. Cheyne range apparently has some of the best scoparia displays I've read somewhere, so may time it with that in mind.