Tiger Task Phase One - actually part of phase one only

May 17 & 18, Saturday and Sunday 2003

Seeing we could not get the full compliment of intended participants to make this an accurate and worthwhile reconnaissance we turned it into a leisurely journey of discovery.

Licola was full of 4WD convoys and large groups of leather clad trail bikers. We moved to a higher altitude for lunch passing more motor cycles on the bitumen and the dirt. For those who have not been here for the last five years the word to use is 'surprising'. Plenty of official camping spots with toilets along the Wellington River, a new car park for those walking down river from Tali Karng, and Bennison Lookout ... no longer much of a view with all the trees in the way. We even heard someone say, "the Vandals Bushwalking Club could carry out some restorative work here". Shame! Shame... was also heard.

We ate our lunch at the old "Survival" Schools base camp on Shaws Ck, which is after Tamboritha Saddle and before Lost Plain. The spot is now official with a new bridge over the creek and a toilet only about three weeks old. The camp surroundings were clean. There are two sign posts on the main road pointing this way, and they read: "Thompsons" & "Kelly's Hut", we have no idea what Thompsons means. Depending on snow depth and weather this could be a worthy objective for a Winter snow camp (non-club, non-insurable activity ofcourse).

We moved on. By 2 pm we were on top of Mt Wellington taking in a view that was toned down by the overcast conditions and previous burn-outs. With many dead, grey snow-gums in all directions features appeared well camouflaged to casual glances; only high points were easily discernable. The chilling breeze hurried us along. Based on the previous half hour's bouncing and shaking we decided not to attempt Millers Hut for this weekend, so ... return to the main road and onto Horesyard Flat.

Camp established by the Moroka River we cruised onto The Pinnacles Lookout. A worthy view, a peaceful and contemplative scan of the surroundings in still conditions. We lingered until the sun disappeared behind a black silhouette of a mountain. No! I don't know which mountain: we were tired now and the cooling beers at camp beckoned our return.

Sunday and plenty of clouds but none of the predicted rains. It actually snowed two days later.

Marathon Rd was new to all of us. A 2WD road, except for the 3 kms of slick, steep, well graded section that warns 4WD needed at the top, but we saw no signs or warnings at the bottom. We cruised cautiously, even on the flatter, dry part ... but not the rushing convoy coming up at us. A near head-on. No matter how carefully you might go, you can't account for the other driver. With his locked wheels and inability to steer he slid right into our escape route. When the dust and adrenaline had settled the vehicles were a mere hand width apart. This was the third time I had heard Peter swear.

Morning tea was at the Quarries Reserve, just north of Briagolong. A worthy stopping point for late Friday bivouacs (in the shelter shed with two fire places) on journeys to Dargo and other points north. Return to Melbourne was through Briagolong, Boisdale and Lake Glenmaggie dam wall. All beautiful scenery, all very worth getting outa town for a breather.

As I don't know how to caption these shots I'll give you a quick rundown here: (a) we have views at Glenmaggie Dam,   (b) views from Mt Wellington and The Pinnacle, and a (c) water setting at Quarries  Reserve. 

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