Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

peaks in a leisurely five-day high-country amble. Yesterday afternoon, I’d left the
car at 5577ft (1700m) on the Great Alpine Rd and walked north along the
Razorback, a spectacular high ridge leading to Mt Feathertop, at 6306ft (1922m),
Victoria’s second-highest peak. The views were incredible, but nothing surpassed
dusk from the summit – a searing, snow gum-framed sun, sinking into scarlet
oblivion beyond the ‘horns’ of distant Mt Buffalo.
Ahead was the Bogong High Plains, a high, desolate plateau sprinkled with
historic huts and herds of brumbies (wild bush horses). Soon I’m packed and
walking, but not before another quick summit dash to gaze on the aloof, tabletopped
Mt Bogong – aka Big Man, Victoria’s highest peak at 6516ft (1986m) and
my final destination. I head for Diamantina Spur, a steep, relentless two-hour kneebreaking
descent down to the Kiewa River, through scarred snow gums and
blackened mountain ash. Bushfires are a regular occurrence in alpine Victoria, as
entire ridges of grey skeletons testify.
© Gavin J Owen | Getty
a Bogong High Plains creek
Surviving Diamantina, I refill my water bottle from the clear Kiewa, before
stopping for lunch at historic Blair Hut, idyllically located in a grassy, stream-side
clearing. Echoes of long-gone mountain cattlemen and their horses resonate from