Robert Ridge - Speargrass
Sunday morning and the weather was looking good, we were in for an enjoyable day on the tops. Brian’s social mobile brought four trampers from Richmond with two spare seats for Tim and Mike, meeting at Belgrove.
It has been a while since I led a NTC trip. There was lots of chatter as we made our way towards St Arnaud. Just one very small patch of ice on the road, otherwise a clear run to the Robert Ridge carpark.
At 09:38 we were away, chatting to people as they returned from Bushline Hut and later meeting people from Angelus Hut. Bushline Hut had been full the previous day. We also did some NTC marketing as we made our way up the zig-zag, otherwise known as Pinchgut Track. Approaching Relax Shelter we met more people who overnighted at Bushline Hut. The sun and a bit of snow obviously was enough to entice people away from log fires and heat pumps, stretch their legs and breath a bit of fresh air.
Party at top of Pinchgut, Robert Ridge
A stop for refreshments at the Relax Shelter, then away again to meet a steady stream of people coming from Angelus Hut. The ridge had a bit of snow along the SE side. Brian was eyeing the snow in the 2nd Basin for his Snow Skills course in a couple of weeks. On we went, at one meetup, an option was raised to drop down earlier to ensure the trip ended in daylight. We decided to stick to the plan, sideling along in snow under Pt 1777, then a lunch stop under Julius Summit. The sun, the views and little wind was enjoyed by all.
Snow in the 2nd Basin, Robert ridge
After lunch, crampons and ice axes were fully deployed, Chris having been along this route before, led the way off the ridge, still following the track. An obvious snow slope took us off the track down into the basin, myself taking up the rear. Once well down into the basin and around a grassy knob our exit spur was clearly visible - a spur formed between the stream from basin tarns, and the start of a stream to the north. An obvious track in scrub and then fairly open bush followed the spur. On the flattening ground Chris took a more northerly route to intersect the Speargrass Track, a little closer to our destination.
Sideling along in snow under Pt 1777
A break along the track by the next creek, then we were marching out in a race against the setting sun. The forward group had no need for torches. The rear group enjoyed a short night time tramp, listening to a solitary Morepork punctuating the scurrying sound of boots as we marched on. Eventually a red light was spotted and then Steve dishing out chocolate as we passed under the trail archway.
Thank you Chris, Brian, Steve, Pat and Tim (guest and future member) for an enjoyable day along one of my favourite ridges. Mike (scribe).
Participants: Mike (Leader and scribe), Chris, Brian, Steve, Pat and visitor Tim.