Great Alpine Traverse Summer

• Stand tall at the summit of Victoria’s highest peaks in Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop, having braved the summer sun (and snake season) to get there! 
• Learn skills from your seasoned guides that you can use in many remote bush locations
• Experience mountain camping, waking each day to the sounds of native birds
• Put your fitness to the test and discover the limits of your physical and mental strength. Become more resilient, a quicker thinker, and learn about living outside of your comfort zone

Don't let their height and meandering summits and ridgelines deceive you. The traverse from Bogong to Feathertop is an epic hike in anyone's book. There is no direct route between these summits, so days will be spent traversing up and around gullies, providing us with not only incredible views of the Great Dividing Range but also providing one of the best challenges any Australian mountain range can deliver.

The crisp morning air gave us views for many miles and I remember thinking as I stood there of Wordsworth's lines written in London in the early morning: "Earth hath not anything to show more fair..." - Harry Stevenson "Skiing the High Plains" 1926 

We will spend 6 days and 5 nights crossing the Bogong High Plains and summitting Victoria's two highest mountains, Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop. Days will be spent trekking across windswept ridgelines while the nights will be spent camping beneath the stars. This is a true wilderness adventure, as we will be traversing not just ridgelines but down into gullies and valleys to connect the two summits. That means a lot of ups and downs.

This trip is not for the faint of heart. The days are long and the climbs are big. While the expedition is partially supported (meaning some great food along the way), you will need to carry your share of the food and equipment. A solid level of strength and fitness, a high level of mental resilience, and an acceptance that you'll likely feel at times exhausted. But at the end of the journey there will be bragging rights, that you had traversed the Victorian Alps, a feat few can say they have done.

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?

Experienced trekkers with high levels of fitness and resilience. You should be looking to push yourself both physically and mentally and more motivated by challenge than comfort. You will need to carry a pack of about 18kg for multiple days.

Day 1: Meet in Harrietville for briefing and dinner.
Day 2: Trek Staircase Spur, ascend the Spur to Summit Mount Bogong. Traverse Bogong to camp at Cleave Col Hut. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Cross the Big River and ascend to the Bogong High Plains - Camp at Ropers Hut. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Roper Hut across the plains to Cope Hut. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Cope Hut to Westons Hut. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Westons Spur to Blair Hut and the West Kiewa River. Overnight below Feathertop. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Feathertop summit back along Razorback and pick up at Diamantina Hut. Harrietrville overnight. (B,L)
Day 8: Breakfast in Harrietville, debrief and departure. (B)

We have a range of equipment available for hire if there is anything you don't have! Including backpacks, sleeping bags and rain gear. Please get in contact with us to discuss!

This expedition will be led by two experienced Guides with a maximum guide guest ratio of 1:6.

All food will be carried by the group. You'll be provided excellent provisions that are not only lightweight but nutritious. Every participant will be asked to help out in the kitchen and will be required to help with tents and camp equipment.

This trek is a real adventure. We're at the mercy of the elements. Even in Autumn, the weather can get very cold. It can be tough going, but many epic adventures are. 

Day 1 Assemble at the meeting point in Harrietville. Briefing and then dinner.

Day 2 Transport to Staircase Spur track. Ascend Staircase Spur to Mount Bogong (6km). Traverse south-east Cleve Col Memorial Hut to camp for the night. (B L D)

Day 3 From Cleve Col join the AAWT southward down to the Big River. Cross the river (no bridge but there is a chain hand line, boots off, likely knee-deep but frigid cold and fast-moving) and a long slog up to the Bogong High Plains and over to Ropers Hut to camp for the night. (B L D)

Day 4 Long day but not a lot of elevation compared to the last couple of days. From Ropers Hut we’ll hike along the Big River Fire trail for a while and then onto the aqueduct trail (good opportunity for a dip along the way) passing Wallace Hut (oldest cattleman hut in the high country) to Cope Hut to camp the night. Optional detour to summit Mt Nelse. (B L D)

Day 5 A stunning crossing of a wide-open plain. Some great single track today with an opportunity to head off-trail and summit Mt Cope. Continue across to the top of Westons Spur and a short descent to Westons Hut and campsite. (B L D)

Day 6 Big Day, long descent of the rest of Westons Spur down to Blair Hut and the West Kiewa River. We’ll follow the valley and the 4wd access road down for a short run to the base of Diamantina Spur. This is a long steep and scrambly climb all the way up to the Razorback Ridge leading to Mount Feathertop. Option to the summit in the afternoon if we have time, alternatively, Little Feathertop is a fantastic sunset with a glass of wine after dinner. (B L D)

Day 7 An early start to summit Feathertop for sunrise. Back to camp for breakfast and then finish the hike by walking out along the Razorback to Mount Hotham. Pick up from Diamantina Hut/Razorback trailhead. Drive down into Harrietville for dinner and the night in the Snowline Hotel. (B L)

Day 8 Breakfast, debrief and depart.

• Minimum 2 guides for the duration of the expedition
• Group safety equipment such as first aid kit and satellite phone
• All catering while on the expedition
• Breakfast day 2 until lunch day 7
• Group equipment including stoves - BYO personal cutlery and crockery
• Use of 2-3 person tents - depending on the current COVID-19 situation single tents may be required
• Twin-share ‘ 3-star’ accommodation for the first and last night
• Transfers required to complete the one-way journey

• Personal clothing and equipment (including pack, sleeping bag and mattress)
• Transport to and from Harrietville
• Any meals, drinks and other purchases in towns