Head to the Hills

All I did was make a casual comment about a beautiful mountain whilst skiing and the next thing I knew I was signed up for a 3 day hike up Feathertop. But when the hills call you've gotta answer. So with my Dad's time off pass clutched in my hand we set of for Harrietville in the Victorian Alps to establish base camp in the luxurious accommodation of the local motel. The first day's hiking got off to a bad start when the path disappeared and our search to find it again led us up the wrong spur. However, once we were 500 m of altitiude up the wrong spur it suddenly became the 'right' spur and the route was quickly re-planned as a circular walk taking in the delights of the razor back ridge. A not altogether bad outcome. The first day got us up to the ridge and a decent camp site with a good patch of snow for water. The sun set was exquisite and the al la carte supper of pasta with curried sausages tasted magnificent due to the exertions of the day. Day 2 was a hike to the summit at 1926 m through the remains of the snow - we couldn't have had a better day for it, with blue sky and light winds - and down the northwest spur to the Melbourne Uni hut. The Hut was great and the snow melt spring water especially invigorating for the morning ablutions. Day 3 was the rapid and thigh busting descent into the valley. I found the old adage to be particularly true: Descend Feathertop in haste, struggle to walk for the next 4 days.