Howdy Stu
was wandering where you'd got to as I haden't seen any posts from you for a while
Mt Bisdee ey, now that brings back some memories - Definitely one for the peakbagger. The scrub on Bewsher saddle is the benchmark by which I judge all other scrub and it's where I really earned my scrub stripes
My recommendation would be to a BIG daytrip in high summer from Wylly Plateau or nearby just below VC. The scrub on Bewsher with a full pack is horrendous and there is no camping along the way except for a small clearing in the middle of the saddle. Once you get to the clearing, you want to walk around it for an hour just to savour the feeling of open ground.
From Wylly Plateau to the summit of VC is fairly open and cruisy with the luxury of a good pad for most of the way. Once on top it stays open for a while but the further north you go, the worse it gets until you are blocked by a very scrubby and serrated gendarme ridge. From here the best bet is to drop off the side into the scrub and progress as best you can, We dropped off the eastern side which involved a bit of scrambling but nothing too serious. This is where the fun really starts. To describe the scrub here as a botanical bonaza is somewhat of an understatement and Reg's decription of an ant negotiating a hairbrush is rather apt. There were numerous times along this section where we were literaly crawling on our hands and knees and stomach to attemp any "progress". Our Average speed along this section was about 100m/hr
but without a pack, I reckon you should be able to race through at the blistering speed of at least 200m/hr
Beyond the low point of Bewsher, the going improves in that you can actually walk rather than crawl through the scrub. The final 500m or so are easy going on pineapple grass and boulders. From memory, i think it took us 2 hours return from our campsite on the saddle to the summit
I've lent the disk with my shots of the trip to a friend, but I'll get it back and post a couple up in the next day or so.
When are you thinking of attempting this masochistic folly - I think I'll be washing my hair that day
Ivan