Easter DP

The only thing more extraordinary than the weather this Easter was the traffic. On good Friday, we got diverted by Google Maps along dirt roads in conga lines of dust out of a city of 5M to avoid freeways that were in complete gridlock. Once out on the freeway, it was still a carpark, and we averaged 50kph all the way to the Glenrowan turnoff. But then a very relaxing lunch in 32 degree of autumn sunshine at Sam Miranda, followed by a swim in Bright with Balti and his friend as the girls continued up the mountain. 

The next 6 days were calm, warm and sunny. The Omeo rodeo was an eye opener for the kids who learnt their first words of 'Ucken' as well as some interesting fashion and tat tips.

We got some nice fish on a few hikes down to alpine streams, also a few trail runs with Chockie, and lots of flow track action on the Yeti. Cool nights beside the fire, lots of nice cooking, and even a frosty morning. I sold a few works at the DP art expo, and we met and shared some drinks with friends and some nice new locals. Property at DP has suddenly gone bananas.

On Sunday we hiked out to Feathertop with some very uninspired and whiney kids who only got whinier as the day dragged on and we ran out of water. Next day there was further whining as we dragged them on the 25km bike trail down to Cobungra, stopping at the Black Sallee Lake for lunch. 

Cleaning out the man-shed on Tuesday was almost like an archeological dig. I found prehistoric bindings, a bird's nest in an old ski helmet, and even evidence that I once fancied tuning my own skis on a custom made bench. Oh, and it turns out that I have more skis than I really need.

 

Candy Drop

 I scored a couple of days off last week and headed up to the Bluff for a long eMTB/hike with the aim of camping out under the stars on Howitt and scoping the West Couloir. I also wanted to place a candy treasure drop for Lucie who's at Howqua for the entire year and who'll be passing by the King Billy tree on one of her long overnight hikes later in the year. I hate to think of the poor girls out there in the wilderness with not enough sugar supplies.

The eMTB has the potential to access some of the roads normally closed for winter, but it's a challenge to load up with all the stuff you need whilst still having a stable ride on some pretty rough terrain.

My plans soon changed after the 6th snake. With no tent, I thought the VG Hut might be a better option as the snakes were creeping me out. When I started using more water than I'd bargained on because of the warmth and humidity, there was a new impetus to get to Mac Springs. Then just after I'd hidden Lucie's stash at the King Billy tree, my chain snapped. Whilst I had plenty of daylight to hike to Mac Springs, I wasted a couple of hours walking around in circles on the King Billys. If I'd packed a map, I would have seen that the AAWT markers are actually a little bit misleading at this junction of trails.

Half way to Mt Magdala I saw one snake too many and freaked out. So back to the bike, and 2 hours back to the car pushing the bike up every hill. When I got back to the car, I'd left the lights on and it wouldn't start. Fortunately, a 4WD crew passed by and helped me out. Back to Melbourne just after midnight.