4/21 Adventure

 Adventure of The Eventurers 

Number 4

The Warburton Trail Run Festival is a three day celebration of all things trail and mountain lifestyle from Saturday, 6 March to Monday, 8 March 2021.

The festival features a range of trail runs from 4.5km through to 50km and includes a feature film screening, a trail seminar, live music and the Lilo Dash 'n Derby, where trail running meets watersports.

The event is in the Warburton Valley, only an hour and a half from Melbourne's CBD, and is centered on the quaint valley township of Warburton with all its quality cafes and accommodation making it the perfect long running weekend getaway for all the family.

Organiser Tour de trails

Distances/Events Saturday, Sunday and Monday

4.5K

25K

50K

4.5K

14K

22K

9K at night

3K Lilo Dash 'n Derby

We have attended this great event a few times and this experience helps but we have to ensure we are getting as many of the runners as possible.

Logistics plays a great part of achieving this. 

On the Saturday there is 5 different runs starting at different times. To achieve the best results, timing and movement have to be assessed and tested. We have taken great shots at the foot bridge at High Lead and like this spot.

We needed to explore if there are any other possible great spots from the High Lead car park.

So off we went for a look. We made our way along the trail and soon realised that we were the first people on the track that day.

Many spiders had set traps along the course. but beauty comes at a cost and the scenic trail has much to show.

As we moved along the trail we were looking for light and open areas to get great photos. These were hard to find as the trail goes in a northerly direction and the forest is thick.





We climbed the first hill and rested at a large fallen log. We sat here had a snack and discussed what we had seen so far. 

The one spot we had thought might be good was not! Runners are usually running and to attempt to capture in a small light filled spot was making the mission hard. Add to this the other problem of timing. 
To enable us to get to the start/finish line for the 4.5km runners how long does it take to drive there from High Lead? So if we walk in too far this limit is the amount of time to get photos at high lead. or longer.

This will not work. So the foot bridge photos of the 50km runners it is. Velta to be dropped off early at the Redwood Forest to capture awesome photos with the cello player and walk back along the aqueduct. 
Ian to leave in time to get back for the finish of the 4.5km runners, approx 35 min drive. 
this was ll decided along the trail while capturing more small and interesting parts of the trail.





This adventure started in the morning as we were both awake early and discussed what to do today. 2 hour drive explore and decide on the plan for Warburton. We have already booked our accommodation in the centre of Warburton to allow easier access to all events.

Now a plan is formed. Water at the finish line is a necessary item and when Velta gets back to the finish line a break for us(one at a time) is required. 

So there is it. Mission to capture as many runners as possible and create memories is now planned out. 

See you there!

Ian and Velta

The EVENTurers

number 3 Adventure of The Eventurers

 

Welcome to Adventure Number 3 of 2021

Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut is a most spectacular 100km trek/run that takes runners on a stunning journey through Victoria's high Country. This challenge is raising money and awareness for autism. 

The Archie is a 50km starts the day after its big brother, the Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut Challenge.

Competitors will cover just over 50km and 2900m of elevation as they journey through the spectacular Victorian Alps. Taking off at dawn, they will have just on 15 hours to complete the course, which opens the event up to runners, trekker and hikers alike.

Supporting Oscars100, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families living with autism, The Archie is sure to become an iconic race.

The EVENTurers have been involved a few times with this event and last year was a great challenge for us.

This year we want to add to the challenge and capture the ruggedness and also ensure we make the best effort to cover both events and capture every runner.

After a long communication with Chris Ord, we decided to take this to the next level and see what it takes to capture most of the Oscar runners along the Cross-cut saw.

Having never actually been on this section of the course and not understanding what the ground cover is like and timing to get to locations a Recon was in order.
2.5 hour drive to Mt Howitt Car park. 

5 km hike into Gantner Hut. The Vallejo Gantner Hut is located at Macalister Springs near Mount Howitt and the Crosscut Saw. The construction commenced in late 1968. The hut was built as a memorial following the death of a young man named Vallejo Gantner. 

Plus a great "Loo with a view"

Take toilet paper

What do we take on a recon?

Good question...

As this is a day walk, we take our smaller backpacks in which contain:

water, food, first aid kit, PLB, snake bite kit, camera, toilet paper, hand cleaner, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Also we have a hat and/or buff, walking pole. Spectacles, and mobile phone (spare camera). Clothing, quick dry pants, Merino blend T-shirt and quick dry long sleeve shirt, gaters and Merrell shoes.

As we leave Gantner hut, the real adventure starts as this is new territory for us. We past the Springs and make a mental note that that is clean, clear, cool water.

The hike out along the spur it is technical and well marked, Ian will have to do this in the dark. Why? If we want to capture the early risers, then might as well capture the sunrise on this iconic ridge line. Time lapse video might be excellent. We meet two other hikers along the trail, one whose name was Tim from our home town (Boisdale), small world. Tim had been to the Cobblers and said it was his first time in 5 attempts he has seen the whole area clearly. 

We stop at many places along this stretch and take in the magnificent views

The Viking

Ian thinks he has found his equivalent favourite spot to Mt Feathertop and that's a big call as he adores Feathertop. Kestrels are flying, the magic vista that he could sit there all day and take it all but is reminded , WE HAVE A MISSION...We move on to the T intersection of the Howitt walking track and Australian Alpine Walking Track. Possible camp site...

We move out onto the high plains and nature has put on a display of flowers and insects.

We start selecting locations to capture runners in action with an excellent vista.

These shots are analyzed upon our return home to see if the camera lens chosen will suit our aim. We ask if the clarity of the shot is "wall worthy" and if we are happy with the location. Several locations were chosen with many more options still to be sourced, but time is our enemy. 

So lunch was had. Amazing great elfresco location.

We decide that there is more locations to be seen. Ian will be walking in from Mt Speculation on the Friday hoping to capture the faster runners who will be along the ridge. Aim is to photograph as many of the trail-runners before cut off times. Then Ian to decide ; make his way to Gantner Hut or camp at the T Intersection just off the Cross-Cut Saw.

We make our way back as the wind picks up, otherwise the weather has been perfect for the hike.

We make it back and take full advantage of the Spring. So cool and refreshing. The majestic toilet is visited to find no loo paper...we always carry extra paper. Left some toilet paper for the next lucky person.

5km of walking to go to get back to the ute. this is longer than we remember and shade was used to ensure we kept cool. Took our time and finally we arrive back at the ute. Change of clothes for Ian and a reward drink, raspberry lemonade, and off we go in 4WD down the mountains to home. Pizza for dinner. We are a tad tired but a good tired.

We analyze the photos and decided on a few changes to equipment. We also look at what food Ian will have to take for the adventure. We have sourced a new Australian food bar company and will try them out over this period. Watch this space...

A plan is now formulated: Friday morning, Velta and Ian at the start of the Oscars Hut 2 hut. Ian drive to Mt Speculation. Make his way along the Crosscut Saw and capture runners on the way. As there is a cut off for runners (and Ian can communicate to race HQ) Ian will move to Gantner Hut for the night. Next morning, early, arise and make his way to the Crosscut again to capture the sunrise and all the runners/walkers and make his way back to Mt Speculation and the Ute. Drive to King Hut and capture the night life around the campfire. Next morning up early and go to Craigs hut for a while and then join Velta at Mt Buller to capture the finish of peoples grand adventure. 

Velta to capture Morning of Oscars and Start of Archie. Mt Buller and finish line for both. 

Sunday night sleep!!!! drive back home 5 hours and then start the developing of the photos. (And Loving IT).

All the recons for next month are now complete. Let the Runs begin!

As Dr Suess said. “Sometimes you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”. 

Lets capture some memories together.

Ian and Velta 

The EVENTurers

Adventures of The Eventurers 2-21

 

The Eventurers

The husband and wife team who are enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated Event Photographers. 

We believe, no matter what the distance, every runner deserves to celebrate their success with a photo!

“Sometimes you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”. Dr Seuss

Welcome to the Second Adventure of the The Eventurers for 2021

This weekend had three phases of adventure.

• Recon to a place that we are not going to use,
• New Event, and
• Rescue

Phase One. Recon to a place that we are not going to use.

Mushroom rocks, is part of the Mt Baw Baw Trail Fest:

Date:   Saturday 27 February 2021 — 15/21/36/44 km

• Sunday 28 February 2021 — 1/4/7 km

The 36km and 44 km run to Mt Erica Carpark and back as part of the course. We decided to take some support crew to check out the rocks (again) but actually explore the area more. 

The trail is varied but quite manageable and 1.5km from the Mt Erica carpark. The trail has beech forest, two areas where tree tops have been snapped off, ferns and ferns and as you climb the area becomes more open but you notice the changes. a small amount of muddy areas but that is trails! Clean area and quite pretty. Lyrebirds surround us and many other creatures scramble around, skinks, butterflies and March flies. 

We arrive at the Mushroom Rocks and explore. It is cool amongst the rock formations and plenty of hiding spots. Explore we did.

On top of mushroom rock.

View from on top of Mushroom Rock

As beautiful as this spot is and with so much exploring to be done plus the many photos taken on this sunny day, we decided that this is not the best use of our skills to obtain the optimum photos of every runner. Maybe next year? Great walk though. The runners will enjoy the cool break at the Mt Erica Carpark before going up the hill again.

We decided that the position for the Baw Baw Trail fest was as follows:

1. Ian at Shelter Rock
2. Velta at Boardwalk
3. Sunday yet to be decided.

Phase 2.  New Event

The Hallora Marathon Festival is a fun run/walk and bike ride in Hallora, Victoria on Sunday, 14 February 2021 to raise money for Peter Mac and to promote physical activity and community engagement.

This is a new Event for us, so understanding how the event runs and the course is important to our preparation.

We arranged to met up with Daniel and Laura to discuss the course and generally meet each other. Also met the new Mascot.

What a great couple, passionate about the Peter Mac cause they are supporting. Dan and Laura are both runners and have put a lot of time and effort over a few years now to put this event together (with help from the committee and advisers). and heaps of Volunteers help the event happen. 

Dan and Laura showed us the course stopping at locations that they thought would work. The Start line at Hallora Rec Reserve looks like a great spot to get the Group photos and start line action. Both of us will be there. Moved onto the T Intersection and decided this was location 2. 

We went down to the 2 Towns Trail (Drouin)  to see what Dan had organized for the long distance runners.

This drive around better helped us understand the trail and what the runners were up against. We moved to the boardwalk going up or down depending on what direction you were going, near the freeway. Velta has claimed this spot. 
We moved onto the finish line. Discussed the better shots for those who were participating and decided start and finish line was important. 
So after the wonderful tour and many chats we have decided the following:

• Vee and Ian at start of Marathon at Hallora Rec Reserve. 

• Move to T Intersection for action shots

• Vee drop Ian at Start/finish line at Warragul to capture all runners

• Vee drive to Board walk and capture runners here and then come back to help out with finish line and capture people with their well deserved medals

Very happy with the discussion and drove off much better informed and happy to have met this great couple.

Phase 3. The Rescue.

On the Saturday (see above) Ian had climbed (Bravely) Mushroom Rock. Besides a crack in his mobile phone screen no other problems on the day.....except the missing walking pole....

On Saturday Ian had put his pole on his pack to allow for better climbing. It was not until we had arrived back home that the pole was discovered to be missing. 

After the Recon for Hallora Marathon and while we had Lunch in Warragul at South Brew Café, 

as recommended by Dan and Laura, we discussed whether is was worth going back to 'maybe' find the pole or buy a new one...We had a look at the photos on that day and saw that the pole was not in Ian's pack as he jumped from rock to rock. So it had to be near the Mushrooms rock..

So for the second time this weekend we drove up to Mt Erica Carpark. Hoping it was all worthwhile. With the minimum gear, water, snakebite kit and pack we made our way quite briskly up to the Rock. Ian was ahead and it was hot this day. Water was consumed. He went to the "spot" and low and behold there it was, waiting for him sitting up like it was happy to see him. He was happy to see the pole. 

Vee was not to far behind and was also relived to find a pole in Ian's hand.

We decided to make our way back at a more gentle pace and capture the little things on the way.

So the Pole was rescue from it's over night stay and we made our way home. 

Happy to have had another great weekend of adventure. Planning next weekend now..

stay tuned.

The Eventurers

Ian and Velta