Blog

Introduction

A group of men from SeedsTrek attempted to complete the iconic and notoriously challenging Buller Huts Trail in Victoria in 2022. The trek didn’t go to plan in the first year but most of the team returned and completed it a year later. There is an account of the journey at Trip Report.

With a degree of excitement and a bit of trepidation, the trek team has agreed to finish what we started earlier this year. Due to the likelyhood of highly inclement weather and possibly just bad timing, the 2022 trek team decided to walk out after completing the first two days of the scheduled trail. It took a further two more days to exit effectively leaving us with only a four day adventure instead of seven. Whilst it was a difficult decision to walk away during the trek and none of us liked not finishing what we started, we agreed that it was a sensible choice.

To undertake a walk like the ones this group has undertaken takes a fair degree of determination and a willingess to endure a degree of suffering. That determination has fueled a desire to finish what was started and head back to Mt Buller in 2023 to finish what we now refer to as “Unfinished Business”. The trail hasn’t changed much and the remaining five days of the walk offers about 3,500 metres of elevation for both ascent and descent, over a distance of 65km. The distance doesn’t seem much but the ascent, descent and the terrain offer a quite unrelenting and challenging journey for any who choose to join in. If interested, head to this page to find out about important dates and other details.

Michael O

5/9/22

Hi hikers. Welcome to another campaign as we begin the process of preparing for a challenging hike next year. This is the first in a series of blogs which I hope will stimulate thought and discussion amongst group members.

We are now four years into this process of getting ourselves ready for an annual hike. Whilst I believe we are doing a lot of things right, there is always room for improvement. It is therefore my intention to challenge some of our past methods as we look nine months into the future. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on how we train, since that is the thing that is often foremost in our minds at this time of year.

Past experience and observations of group members over the last four years have led me to two (I believe irrefutable) conclusions regarding our physical preparation.

1. All hikers in our group, to some extent, carry an excess of body weight, particularly around the midriff (what I will from here on refer to as “the spare tyre”)
2. Carrying a heavy pack for months on end does little or nothing to remove the spare tyre

Before you assess me as worthy of being stoned for blasphemy, let me point out that I think pack weight is important, but much later in the process. The mistake that I believe we have often made is to focus too much on pack weight too early in the campaign whilst not paying enough attention to body weight. So my challenge for the next six months could be summarised as … less focus on pack weight, more focus on body weight.

Let’s go back to the two conclusions. If you doubt the first one, look around next time you go hiking with a group of your team mates. As people strap on their packs you will see bellies extending over waist belts everywhere you look. I venture to say if you look down, you will see the same thing. If you’re not convinced about the second conclusion, ask yourself why this continues to be evident after up to four years of consistent, hard training.

Therefore, I feel it is time for us to put aside the obsession with pack weight, at least until New Year. The next six months is an ideal opportunity for each of us to address the issue of “the spare tyre”. I am convinced that in order to be well prepared for the Buller Huts Hike, the spare tyre has to go. This will require a different approach to what we have done in the past. Obviously, if we want a different result, we will have to do something different.

So I wish to issue each of us with a challenge. Of course, it is up to you whether you take it on or dismiss the leader’s ramblings. This challenge is based around setting goals and being accountable. We all know that goal setting can be fudged. It’s easy to fake it or keep the goals to yourself so you can’t be held accountable. Consider taking the following steps.

1. Set yourself a target for your ideal body weight for the next hike. Don’t make it an “easy” goal. Stretch yourself. Think about the weight and/or waist size you really want to be for the hike, not the one you will settle for
2. Share your goal with someone else with a view to being accountable to doing what you have said you will do. It doesn’t have to be someone within the group – just someone you trust. However, remember that others in the group will be similarly motivated to you, so that could be beneficial
3. Give serious consideration to what sacrifices you are willing to make to make it happen
4. Don’t aim to reach your target weight just before the hike next May. Get there in the next few months, definitely before Christmas. This will give you maximum time to consolidate any new habits and launch into hard pack training (with more pack weight) having already reached your target weight. This will greatly enhance your chances of staying on track without the hindrance of the spare tyre

So how does this change our approach to training? Many people agree that losing weight is 80% about diet, 20% exercise. Of course it’s still a good idea to go hiking … just don’t make it the be all and end all before Christmas. What is really important for the next six months is getting serious about the diet/lifestyle changes you will need to make. Remember – history says that loading up your pack with heavy weight over that time will not shift the spare tyre.

I think that ramping up the heavy pack weight over a much shorter time frame with better prepared bodies will be highly beneficial. In the past, I’ve tried setting recommended pack weights throughout the campaign. That approach has not been particularly effective. Personally, I have very little interest in how much weight is in people’s packs for the rest of 2021. I would highly recommend that you keep it minimal. In 2022, you can slowly wind it up until reaching the “real” pack weight a month or two before the hike. This is not about proving how much you can carry. All of us could load up our packs with 20, 30, even 40 kilograms and do a two hour hike tomorrow if we chose. That is not the point. This is about preparing ourselves for what promises to be a very demanding hike nine months from now.

I hope that this blog challenges you to think differently about your hike preparation. I look forward to some lively discussion amongst the group.

Watch out for my next blog … A Map Reading Mindset!

Craig

11/7/21.

 

Eight hikers had a dream

which COVID put on hold

to take on Kosciuszko National Park

but finally, this team

adventurous and bold

began the journey, ready to embark

 

We went by car and bus

in daytime and at night

arriving at the Thredbo village late

good sleep came soon, no fuss

the day dawned clear and bright

we rode the chairlift; everything looked great

 

We set off from the top

packs loaded to the max

and soon were cresting Kosi’s upper flanks

a buoyant summit stop

with sunshine on our backs

ensured we’d hike the Main Range with full tanks

 

At camp near Charlotte’s Pass

the brilliant sky was clear

a cold, sub-zero night made sleeping tough

the morning’s frozen grass

still white, we packed our gear

as blisters formed, some feet were looking rough

 

Through ski resorts we trudged

so keen to get off-road

the power station marked the trail’s start

and Horse Camp Hut, we judged

a great place to unload

we cooked and ate in comfort, full of heart

 

Day three got underway

with many huts to see

and river crossings now a constant threat

a fun and glorious day

had really set us free

and Gray Mare brought the best experience yet

 

An eerie, silent night

dumped heavy, powder snow

our campsite now was plastered, postcard-like

but, soon enough, this site

was prompting us to go

‘cos “J Day” loomed; the focus of the hike

 

Though snowy underfoot

we kept a steady pace

our spirits soared, Jagungal now in view

but soon, we would be put

back firmly in our place

this mountain wasn’t easy to subdue

 

We battled through the bush

now drenched up to the waist

the snow-clad peak ahead looked out of reach

our “past-the-tree-line” push

was easier when faced

with wombat tracks, empowered to guide and teach

 

The summit, so hard-earned

euphoria so brief

our minds so scrambled, bodies now so wrecked

of all the things we learned

this might have been the chief

God doesn’t always do what we expect

 

We shouldered packs again

and hiked the fourteen k’s

to Mackey’s Hut, arriving after dark

this bonded group of men

in something of a daze

it seemed that “J Day” surely made its mark

 

Recovered by day five

and boots dried by the fire

we pushed on through the gloominess and wind

though feeling so alive

we soon began to tire

but teamwork kept the schedule underpinned

 

The fireplace of stone

could, no doubt, stories tell

amongst the wreck of Happy’s charred remains

though standing all alone

it served its purpose well

with hot drinks helping ease our aches and pains

 

Day six dawned dark and still

we had to find the track

though time time was short we still had much to do

we set off up the hill

the only turning back

to gaze at yet another stunning view

 

The end was now our goal

as Four Mile Hut was passed

depleted now, we really had to fight

it all came down to soul

our will was fading fast

until Kiandra’s ruins came in sight

 

And so the story ends

normality returns

in wrapping up, one fact is crystal clear

among these hiking friends

the fire within still burns

another challenge waits for us next year

 

Hi hikers.

The leaders had a Zoom meeting recently to adjust some of the details for our trip. The major things (dates, route plan) are unchanged but we have tweaked some others. This was necessary because of changes in the makeup of the group and new information of which we became aware.

Following is a summary of our planned trip.

• Depart 5.00pm Friday April 16. Travel for 3-4 hours, camp at Walpeup, about 15 minutes from Ouyen (budget camp accommodation in tents, toilets/showers etc).
• Continue travel on Saturday to Kiandra. Hopefully arrive late afternoon. Leave vehicles at Kiandra, travel via charter bus (TBA) to Thredbo, approximately a further 2 hours driving. Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Thredbo (TBA).
• Up early on Sunday, ready to catch chairlift as soon as it opens (8.30 or 9.00am – to be confirmed). Ride chailift to summit and begin the hike!
• Hike proceeds from Sunday 18th to late Friday 23rd following the route as planned.
• Pack up, load vehicles and drive to suitable venue for meal/accommodation (depending on how late we leave).
• Continue journey home Saturday 24th, arrive late.

Some implications …

• Possibly need cash for camp fee at Walpeup. We believe it is an honesty system – put your money in the box on arrival. BG will keep us informed.
• The charter bus will cost approximately $100 per person. This will be confirmed when we book and get a firm quote. We believe the cost is worthwhile given that it will save our vehicle expenses and greatly reduce the time invested in moving cars to either end of the route both before and after the hike. MG is arranging this.
• We will have to board the bus bringing only what we intend to take on the hike for the next six days. All other belongings will need to be left in the vehicles. The reason for finishing the hike at Kiandra is that we can avoid the fairly significant National Park fee which would apply if we left them in Thredbo. MO is looking at options for number/type of vehicles we will require.
• We will stay flexible in regard to meal/accommodation on the Friday night coming home. There are several towns which would provide options, depending on our timeframe.
• We will need to make arrangements to be picked up from the home of whoever is driving (or at some point along the way). It is not expected that drivers will have to add significant time to their journey taking people to their home addresses.

A couple of other things …

• We decided that it would be prudent to hire and take a satellite phone given that mobile phone coverage is likely to be unreliable in places. The cost of this is approximately $180 – about $20 per person. This would give us peace of mind that we are able to make contact with relevant people in the event of an emergency. MG is looking into this.
• It seems we will require a permit to enter Victoria. This is apparently a fairly simple online process. Details to follow.

We are mindful of keeping expenses to a minimum and believe this plan represents the best way forward for us.

Craig

30/1/21