rattler wrote:Hi all,
Think I've got the bug.. I'm ready to plan for my next trip. Credit card is hurting.
I'm looking for something where I can practice navigation rather than being limited to a single well-signed trail.
Epic views would also be a plus, rather than the 'tunnel of trees'.
Any suggestions? Xplora had mentioned a Falls Creek loop (Pretty Valley to Dibbins Hut then down to Blairs Hut and up Westons spur then back). It looks like Falls might meet my requirements, but Buller might be better as it's a couple of hours closer to Melbourne?
Thanks for any ideas!
Dave
Leave Buller for a bit. Head to Falls. There is good opportunity to do some navigation practise and even get off track without too much danger getting misplaced. The time difference is not significant because you have to get onto dirt roads from Buller. From Pretty Valley camp, take the road to the SEC hut then follow the aqueduct to Ryders hut and then continue to the end of the aqueduct. Mt. Jim will be on your right. Walk over the weir and then look up the hill to see a post on its own. Head toward that post then set a course to intersect with the AAWT. It is not sensitive area otherwise I would not post it. I could tell you the bearing but that would spoil the fun. You can play like this as much as you like on BHP just avoid bogs. There are landmarks visible all the time and you can practise your navigation but getting a bearing to 3 landmarks. Orientate your map, take a bearing with your compass (Mt. Mackay and Feathertop are your two best) then reverse the bearing by 180 degrees. Draw a line and with 3 points you should have your location. Knowing where you are is the most important thing even if you are in the wrong place.
If you want to do more then you can head to Hotham up Swinders spur and then the Razorback, down Diamantina spur and up Westons. Sometimes it is not just about navigation with a compass. Tracks can be obvious or a bit concealed so the experience is about looking at where a track goes on the map and the general direction. Picking up when it is the wrong way quickly is a matter of time and experience. The wrong way can be worn more as people go there and back.