After lots of reading about it, I finally managed to convince two of my oldest (and possibly unfittest) friends to hike up Victoria’s second highest peak with me. Given our approaching middle age we sensibly decided not to try and ascend from Harrietville. Rather, we drove up to Diamantina Hut at Mt Hotham and traversed across a seemingly endless ridgeline to finally arrive at Federation Hut the camping area there.
We chose Federation Hut because there was the possibly of potable water there but the rainwater tank at the hut was empty unfortunately. The views from the Hut are obstructed as the site is largely surrounded by trees. This can be handy though, when the wind picks up (as it did that night). Having said all that had I known the water tank at Federation Hut was dry, I would have picked a campsite that was on the way to the Mt Feathertop summit. There are a few flat spots there with views down into the valley both ways which would make for stunning sunrises and sunsets. Only in good weather though, as those campsites were very exposed.
Looking out onto the Alps at sunset below. Managed to get a bit of colour in the sky before the storm clouds rolled in for a wet and stormy night. I’m lucky I summited Mt Feathertop that evening, as the next morning the whole thing was socked in by cloud cover.
You can find this gnarled old Snowgum at the track junction. Take the left fork and it will lead you to Federation Hut. Take the right fork and it will lead you to Mt Feathertop.
