Mt Feathertop winter panorama.jpeg

Mt Feathertop Winter Climb

Victoria's most spectacular peak - learn the skills required to climb to her summit in winter.
Expedition Snapshot

 

Location:
Activity:
Duration:
Main lodging:
Difficulty:
Comfort level:
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Alpine National Park
Winter climb
2 days, 2 nights
Tented camp on snow
Advanced
'Expedition camping'
Nearing Feathertop's Summit.JPG
Nearing Feathertop's Summit.JPG

Feathertop's snow capped summit.JPG
Feathertop's snow capped summit.JPG

Federation Hut in winter
Federation Hut in winter

Nearing Feathertop's Summit.JPG
Nearing Feathertop's Summit.JPG

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Expedition Overview

 

Mount Feathertop is the most spectacular winter peak in Victoria and arguably in Australia. It's long, sharp ridgeline running north to south, creates steep faces to the east and west - the perfect structure to capture weather systems. Large snowfalls over winter and prevailing westerlies create an accumulation of snow in the form of large cornices along its summit ridges, giving them a feather-like shape - hence the name!

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This expedition is designed to introduce you to the basic alpine travel stills required to safely climb to the summit during winter. We'll learn how to walk in crampons, how to hold and use an ice axe as well as arrest a fall, should it occur.

 

If you're a fit, keen hiker and always wanted to try your hand at a steep snow-covered peak​​ and learn the necessary skills along the way - this trip is for you!

Expedition Details

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet in Harrietville for a team dinner and briefing - Evening in hotel. Day 2: Climb Bungalow Spur. Make camp at Federation Hut and spend the afternoon learning crampon, ice axe and general mountain skills. - Tented camp in the snow. (B, L, D) Day 3: Pre dawn start to summit for sunrise. Return to camp for breakfast, rest and pack down. Descend Bungalow Spur. (B)



Who is this expedition for?

This program is for confident hikers looking to challenge themselves with winter conditions and steep terrain. You should be looking to learn new skills as an introduction to the winter mountain environment, be confident on your feet and not too intimidated but heights and steep terrain. Who is this expedition NOT for? If you're looking for your first snow hike, you may be better suited to our Razorback Snowshoe tour. If you have no hiking experience, or don't like the snow, you may be best suited to trying our range of summer walks first. If you need to guarantee warmth and comfort at the end of a long day - this trip might not be for you.



Inclusions

  • Experienced and qualified guides
  • Group safety equipment such as first aid kit and satellite phone
  • All catering while on expedition
  • 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Group equipment including stoves - BYO personal cutlery and crockery
  • Use of 2-3 person tents - depending on the current COVID-19 situation single tents may be required
  • Hire of crampons, ice axe and climbing helmet
  • Twin share ‘3 star’ accommodation for the first night
  • Transport to and from the trail
  • All permit and camping fees



Exclusions

  • Personal clothing and equipment (including pack, sleeping bag and mattress)
  • Any meals, drinks and other purchases in towns
  • Personal medical and evacuation/ambulance insurance



Route Description

Day 1 We'll meet in Harrietville, ideally by 7 pm for a team dinner, but you're free to arrive at any time. Enjoy a team dinner at the pub and a briefing for tomorrow's climb. Day 2 9 kms - ⬆1124m - ⬇0m An early start. After breakfast, we'll be transfered to the Bungalow Spur trailhead to start our climb. We'll climb approximately 9kms up the spur to Federation Hut to establish camp around lunch time. After setting up camp and some rest, we'll venture to a nearby slope to learn how to use our crampons and ice axes safely on steeper terrain as well as how to arrest a fall. Returning to camp in the snow for the evening. Day 3 12.2 kms - ⬆210m - ⬇1334m We'll arise early and walk up to Little Feathertop for a stunning sunrise before returning to have breakfast and break camp. We'll then descend Bungalow Spur all the way back to Harrietville.



Equipment list

This is a list of personal clothing and equipment that you will be required to bring for this expedition. If there is anything you don't have we can assist with either hire equipment or a discount code for our online store. Please enquire! Footwear

  • Sturdy/stiff waterproof hiking or mountaineering boots
  • 2 pairs of hiking socks
  • 1 Pair of light shoes/sandals/slippers or hut booties for night time (optional)
  • Gaiters - recommended
  • Crampons, ice axe and climbing helmet - Supplied!
Clothing
  • 1 x shirt and pants for trekking
  • 1 x light to mid thermal top and bottoms for day use
  • 1 x mid to heavy thermal top and bottoms for evenings and sleeping
  • Mid to heavy weight fleece or merino top or light synthetic fill layer
  • Large down or synthetic fill over jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof rain jacket and pants (must be full waterproof and breathable min 20,000mm ie not ski jacket)
  • 2 pairs of underwear
Head and hands
  • Warm beanie or balaclava
  • Neck warmer
  • Dark sun glasses (sun on snow can be very bright!) - must be UV rated and ideally polarised
  • Sun glasses strap - too many pairs of sunglasses have been donated to the mountain gods to not recommend these strongly!
  • Snow/ski goggles
  • Light glove liners
  • Warm and waterproof over gloves - good quality ski gloves will suffice
Sleeping gear
  • Sleeping bag comfort limit rated to at least -8, recommended -10 or below.
  • Sleeping bag liner (recommend thermal liner if you have a lighter sleeping bag)
  • Inflatable sleeping mattress (ideally R-value 5 or above)
  • Close cell foam mattress for additional insulation - can be supplied on request
Health and hygiene

  • Personal toiletries

  • Toothbrush/paste

  • small facecloth or wet wipes (optional)

  • Feminine hygiene (if required)

  • Sun screen (recomend UPF 50+) or zinc

  • Lip Balm

  • Personal Medications

  • Pain killers (whatever works for you)

  • Anti-inflammatories

  • Throat lozenges

  • Small personal first aid kit

  • Small hand sanitiser

  • Toilet paper

Trekking gear
  • Hiking pack - 45-60L
  • 2 x water storage containers - either 2 x Nalgene bottle (or similar) or 1 bottle and 1 bladder. Bottle must be able to take hot water
  • Personal plate, bowl, knife/fork/spoon set
  • Hiking poles (can be supplied with snow shoes on request)
  • A few small accessory carabiners (to clip drink bottles etc)
  • Head Torch with 2 sets of batteries
  • Water proofing system for your pack - dry bags, large heavy duty garbage bags (bring a few spares!) and pack cover
  • Camera! (optional)
  • 1 x awesome attitude (this cannot be hired, must be brought from home)



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