Northeastern Victoria – March 2012

Towards the end of March we joined other members of the extended family for a camping weekend at Porepunkah, near Bright in northeastern Victoria. It’s a beautiful area in autumn, and the weather was kind. On Saturday we explored Mt Buffalo. Magnificent views in all directions, though the Horn track was unfortunately closed for reconstruction. The second full day some of us climbed the Eskdale Spur of Mt Bogong and walked along the ridge to Cleve Cole Hut, before returning the same way – many hundreds of vertical metres in one day, as our knees were keen to let us know! It was cold and windy on the ridges, quite wintry in fact, but beautiful views once again. We returned home the next day via Hume Dam and up the Hume Highway.

I’ve included some historic shots of the same area from the seventies, including the epic trip we did with the two babies just before Christmas in 1979. Don’t we all look young!

photo Photos

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The Buckland River beside the campground. Admiring the view from the lookout on Mt. Buffalo. Lunch break on Mt. Buffalo. The waterfall near the chalet. Interesting shadows! View south from the top of Mt Buffalo near the Horn. Shelter near the Horn carpark. Lake Catani. The team, bright-eyed and ready for the climb up the Eskdale Spur of Mt. Bogong. Stop for a breather. And another short break at Michel's hut. Still a long way to go! Lovely pink grass adds contrast. Onward ever upward! And up some more! Now for the long walk along the summit ridge. Back below the tree line... Past some ancient gnarled snowgums... To Cleve Cole Hut. Having stored away the supplies, we head back the same way. Rather chilly and exposed up here! The summit is visible at the left here, at 1986 metres. View toward to the west from the ridge. View to the north / northwest? Lovely clouds, great light. Bright grass, still a few flowers. Still a long way to go down. View from Tawonga gap, sunset over Mt Bogong. Tired hikers in the car! Hume Dam on the drive home - almost full! December, 1979, Gil and Shara at the Porepunkah campground. Barb and Shara camping at Porepunkah, Dec 1979. Pete communing with nature (a crimson rosella, actually) at the Chalet carpark on Mt Buffalo. Kath with Mike at the lookout, Dec 1979. Gil and Shara, same viewpoint. Climbing up to the Horn. Dec, 1979. Group shot at the top. Ancient photo from the 70s, pre-kids - camping at Lake Catani. Pete climbing the Horn back then. Pete at Mt Hotham.

Posted on May 2nd, 2012, tagged with events

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