Where to place food drop midway b/n Rumpff Saddle & Hotham?

[neoyum]

Hi all,

I'm planning a solo walk in the Vic Alps, about 7-10 days, leaving soon. I've walked a lot in Tas, but not at all in Vic. I was injured earlier this year, & had to stop walking. I'm much better now, but still wish/need to be cautious with how much I carry.

I'd need to do at least one food drop between Rumpff & Hotham. I'm wondering if trying to get a drop close to the Mt Speculation campsite is a good idea/possible? Could I drive to Lake Cobbler, then take the drop to near Mt Koonika, or closer to the AAWT, along Speculation Track? What is this track like?

Unfortunately, I only have a 2WD car! Can that make it as far as Lake Cobbler? I read somewhere on some government site that it is not recommended to drive 2WDs past the Bennies as the track is too rough. Is this still/true? overkill?

Is there another place/s that is better for a food drop? Ideally, a choice with minimal walking or pushing my old car along rutted tracks. I've driven my car along a lot of dirt roads in Tassie, but one of these days it's gonna be too much!

Great forum. I've been learning a lot.

(ps: I tried to post several important questions weeks ago, but got an error. I emailed the admin, but got no reply.
Hope it works this time...)

[Mark F]

I expect that you could get your car up to the start of the track to Macalister Springs from Licola assuming you have reasonable clearance. From there you can walk your drop up towards the springs and Vallejo Gantner Hut (about 5km). This pretty much divides the stage in two and the hut is only a short distance off the AAWT route.

[bigkev]

Hi neoyum, I was up at Lake Cobbler last weekend. The road is just passable to a 2wd with highish clearance (e.g. Falcadore) but I think you might stuggle with a smaller front drive vehicle. Do not try and drive the last few hundred metres down to the lake, I had to pull a commodore out that had come to grief on that section. I haven't been in from Licola this year but normally it's doable in a 2wd.

Incidentally I'm doing a food drop next year at Mt Spec, I'm planning on riding in from Lake Cobbler on my Mountain Bike before the tracks open next year.

Cheers

[damoprz]

I expect that you could get your car up to the start of the track to Macalister Springs from Licola assuming you have reasonable clearance. From there you can walk your drop up towards the springs and Vallejo Gantner Hut (about 5km). This pretty much divides the stage in two and the hut is only a short distance off the AAWT route.

We got a corolla w/ 5 people to Howitt Plains with no trouble last week.