2006 January - Day trip
Mt Bogong
Climb up and down The Staircase Spur
Vic, Australia
Post Script
( Note: I revisited
Mt Bogong (+ West Peak) in 2011 March.
Trip report plus better pictures are in my blog
http://mntviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/bogong-vic-australia-west-peak.html )
Prolog
Mt Bogong is Victoria's highest mountain
1986 meters.
I know, I know, it is only a mole hill
compared to other mountains in the world.
But it does require a long uphill hike
all the way to the summit;
and hence good for an exercise climb
as I'll be heading for Kilimanjaro next month.
Actually I had been training regularly
since Nov last year.
This consisted of walking for hours
up and down the stairs of a multi-story carpark.
But it was getting a bit boring,
so climbing Mt Bogong was a refreshing change.
And besides, I needed a real mountain
to test out a few things ...
like the hiking boots, the Gortex jacket,
and of course my stamina.
I was new to mountains.
My only big climb to date was Malaysia's Kinabalu.
There I wore a pair of runners.
But proper hiking boots are a bit heavier,
and I would like to know
how well they can handle rough terrains.
Mt Bogong
For the record, the walk to the Bogong summit
was an ascent of 1400 meters.
No drama happened.
But just like Kinabalu,
it was a hard slog all the way.
Climbing would be
a truly great wonderful experience
if it weren't for all that damn climbing.
Bill, my climbing partner, and I
reached the top in 4.5 hrs.
This was similar to my time in Kinabalu.
There the 1st day's walk
was also an ascent of 1400 meters
and I did it in just under 5 hrs.
The summit of Bogong was just a pile of stones,
nothing special there.
The important thing is I can now proudly proclaim
I have been to Victoria's highest peak.
This sets me thinking ...
How about climbing the highest peak
in every Australian State and Territories?
Can't be too hard, right ?
After all, our highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko
is a mere 2228 meters.
Some pictures
1) Mt Bogong is near the town of Mount Beauty.
- On the outskirt of the town is this sign
pointing to the mountain ... 1986 meters.
2) There are a few foot tracks to the top.
We take the Staircase Spur trail.
3) Strange looking plants.
(If you know its name, please let me know.)
4) Tasman flax-lily pods.
5) Spitfire / Sawfly caterpillars.
- Doing naughty things 😊😊😊
6, 7) Two views to Mt Bogong.
- Top of Mt Bogong is quite a flat plateau.
8) Almost at the summit.
We can see the summit cairn.
9) The summit is a neat pile of stones.
- Bill ...on the left
- Others ... from another party
Post Script
I revisited
Mt Bogong (+ West Peak) in 2011 March.
Trip report plus better pictures are in my blog
http://mntviews.blogspot.com/2011/03/bogong-vic-australia-west-peak.html
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