Trip Overview

These two peaks are rewarding destinations for walkers looking for remote and rugged country away from the hordes.  The Bluff and the North West Spur of Mt Buller both offer ‘blow your socks off’ views around the compass to points including the Cross Cut Saw, Eagles Peaks, Mt McDonald and much more.

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NOTE: Due to hazardous weather conditions, this trip was postponed from Oct 20-22 to Dec 8-10.

 

Camping

 

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

Distance: 18.5 Kilometres

Friday. 

Arrive at our Base Camp at Sheep Yard Flat.

Saturday. 

From our Base Camp at Sheep Yard Flat, drive up and over Howqua Gap and on to Refrigerator Gap and the start of the walk.

The most difficult part of the walk is the ascent of the north side of The Bluff, a climb of 400 metres in a little over one kilometre, and it includes some scrambling up over small bluffs.  But the views are amazing.

From the summit, the track follows the ridge down past the Blow Hole, then sidles up over the back of Mt Eadley Stoney, before dropping down to Bluff Hut.  The hut is about five kilometres from The Bluff.

The return to the cars is another fairly easy five kilometres via the jeep track, contouring round the north side of The Bluff.

Sunday. 

A shorter walk today, but more climbing.  700 metres over four kilometres.

The walk starts at the junction of Doughty Road and a jeep track, about one kilometer north west of Round Hill.  Follow the jeep track up for about 200 metres, then just before a creek, pick up a foot track on the right and climb to Round Hill.  The climb is just on 300 meters over one and a half kilometres.

From this point, there is a further climb of 400 metres over two and a half kilometres, and that includes some scrambling up over small bluffs.  But the track follows the ridge, and the views will blow your socks off, both north over the Delitite, and south over the Howqua.

After enjoying the views from the summit, we’ll retrace our steps to the cars, then return home.

Equipment:  The walk is in alpine country, and severe weather conditions / blizzards are a possibility.  If you have any doubts about what is required, contact the leader.

Water.  You will need to carry at least a litre of water for the climbs on both Saturday and Sunday, more if its a warm to hot day.

Both walks are ridge walks so there is no water en-route.  Good water is available from the Howqua River at Sheep Yard Flat, although it probably should be treated.  Good water is also available from a small creek at the start of Sunday’s walk.

Food:  You will need food to cover breakfast on Saturday to lunch on Sunday.

Transport:  Car pooling to be arranged by leader.

 

Transport

Transport to and from the walk location is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.

If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.

Drivers can choose whether they wish to take passengers or not.

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver.

 

Booking

Booking is required for this walk. Please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this one. Refer to Walking Grades which, in conjunction with the walk description, will help you assess whether you have the required walking fitness and experience to do this walk.

The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email.  The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.

By booking into this event you acknowledge that you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct.

Booking Fee:
Members: free.     Non-members: $10.

Payment:
To avoid handling cash, non-members are required to pre-pay their booking fee.
You can pay by Paypal. If you are not a Paypal member, you can use Paypal to pay by credit or debit card.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
There will be no refunds, so please do not book unless you are fully committed to walking.

 

What to Bring

• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer Trip details above).

• To help manage the Covid risk, the following may be useful: Hand Sanitiser, Face Mask(s), RAT test(s).

Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader.  If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.

 

Emergency Club Contact

The emergency club contact for this walk is Ken.  The leader can provide you with the contact’s phone number, if you wish to pass this on to any friend/family member who may be concerned if you return late.

 

 

COVID-19 Requirements

• You should not be attending this event if you are Covid-19 positive and/or are required to be in quarantine or isolation.
• If you have any Covid-19 symptoms or are a contact of someone with Covid-19, please follow the instructions in the Coronavirus Victoria website.

 

Safety and Ambulance Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. If conditions are hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. If any doubts at all, check your emails the night before and the morning of the event. For more details refer to: Joining a walk and your safety

 

Still have questions?

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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