Feathertop via Northwest Spur overnight backpacking hike, grade 4, 22km.

From November 30, 2024 9:00 am until December 01, 2024 5:00 pm
Posted by Sharon OToole
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Grade 4 overnight hike for hikers fully prepared for ALPINE CONDITIONS. Grade 4 means suitable for experienced hikers as navigation and technical skills may be required. Trails will be long, rough and very steep with limited signage or navigation aids. Rock scrambling and river crossings may be required. 

Meeting time - 9am, Saturday 30 November.

Meeting place - Harrietville Trout Farm, 10 Stony Creek Road, Harrietville VIC. Car pooling discussed before the event. Small car shuffle required pre hike.

  • Distance - 22km
  • Duration - Overnight Hike
  • Trail Type - Point-to-point
  • Start Elevation - 462m
  • Finish Elevation - 570m
  • Total Climbing - 1870m
  • End Location - End of Bungalow Spur (Feathertop) Track
  • Intended overnight camping location will be near MUMC Hut
  • River crossing, appropriate footwear required.
  • Weather conditions can change rapidly in Alpine environments, hikers must be fully prepared for all weather possibilites.
        
The Northwest Spur, otherwise known as the Tom Kneen track has a reputation for being significantly steep and ruthless. This track climbs roughly 1100 verticle meters in 6.5km. If you desire a challenge, this trail will give you just that. Bring with you a sufficient level of fitness and ability to walk uphill continuously for long periods of time. 

Mt Feathertop Via Northwest Spur – Tom Kneen Track is a notorious trail in the Australian hiking community. Known for its brutal, continous ascent to the MUMC Hut (located 6.5km from the trailhead), this trail will test your fitness and mental toughness. The challenge is definitely one to accept, as the rewarding views provide you with enough energy to move along this less explored side of the mountain.

This trail starts at Stoney Creek Road, where you will find the sign to the trailhead. Take care not to tread along the private property, and be sure to follow the grass footpad that skirts along the perimeter of the property – there is adequate signage to point you in the right direction. The first section of the Northwest Spur climbs along Stoney Creek, where you must cross the river twice. The second river crossing has a bridge. This lower section of the trail contains a large amount of grass and shrub that comes across the trail, but it is easy to follow.

Once past the bridge, the trail climbs straight up the Northwest Spur, first with switchbacks until you reach the crest of the spur, where you proceed to head directly up. This section can become dangerous upon descent due to the steep gradient and loose ground (rock, dirt, tree debris), take care during this section if you decide to descend via this route. You will eventually reach the MUMC Hut at an altitude of approximately 1650m.

From the hut, the trail follows the fairly narrow spur towards the western face of Mt Feathertop. Once the trail reaches the western face, it skirts underneath the summit towards the right, where there is a natural spring with fairly reliable flow during non-snow seasons. The trail will then join up with the Razorback Track, where you can head towards the summit of Mt Feathertop. From the junction of the Northwest Spur and Razorback Track, you can return to Harrietville via the Bungalow Spur, or retrace your steps.

During the winter any acscent of Mt Feathertop should be considered grade 5 in difficulty, and requires that you possess the necessary snow and ice skills to safely ascend the mountain. Do not ascend to the summit during adverse weather conditions. If the snow cover on the summit is icy and you do not have crampons and an ice axe, do not ascend. Experienced mountaineers have died on this mountain.

There are two huts along this trail – MUMC Hut which is located 6.5km from the Northwest Spur trailhead, and Federation Hut which is located 1.5km from Mt Feathertop’s summit. Huts are for emergency purposes only.

  • Water can be found along this trail in a number of locations. You can collect creek water from Stoney Creek towards the bottom of the Northwest Spur. You can collect untreated spring water from the MUMC Hut. There is a natural spring located along the trail between MUMC Hut and the Razorback. There is also untreated tank water at Federation Hut, along with another natural spring located at the old Federation Hut site down the Bungalow Spur.

 

GRADE 4

Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited. 

Overnight Event Packing list

Current Medical Information Form Login first  and then it can be FOUND ON THE WEBSITE HERE 

  • Bedding 
  • Tent (sharing sections of the tent is an option)
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Bag Liner
  • Mattress
  • Pillow 
  • Bed Clothing
  • Thermals - top and bottom
  • Second layer - top and bottom
  • Gaiters
  • Warm Gloves beanie and dry socks
  • Keep clothing in a water tight bag - zip lock - dry bags etc.. 
  • Wet Weather / Cold
  • Rain jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Warm Gloves and Water Proof Over Glove plus a Benie or suitable walk hat.
  • Essentials
  • Tooth Brush and paste
  • Any medication ( please inform leader if necessary Allergies etc)
  • Personal first aid 
  • Water to drink and prepare meal ( some locations and walks have water on site or en route )
  • Leader should inform the group re water supply
  • Tablets for water ( be safe rather than get a bug ) ( water purification tablets )
  • Toilet paper and trowl to dig appropiate hole.
  • Food
  • Dehydrated food for weight considerations
  • 3 Meals , plus snacks.  per day.  
  • Stove (another item that can be shared) 
  • Plate and cuttlery 
  • Cup for warm drink  your choice
  • Water shoes
  • Extra Items
    Fully charged and credit loaded up phone
    Camera
  • Hiking poles
    The leader must take a rescue beacon

 

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