The Adventurers Of The Eventurers
Number 6
Oscars Hut 2 Hut and The Archie
2021
Well, here we go again. Once again our endeavour is to capture Trail Runners in different stages of out on the trails having fun and experiencing life. The Oscars Hut 2 Hut and the Archie at Mt Buller was and is a great challenge for us.
Having completed the Recon to the Crosscut Saw and made a good plan we were organised, or so we thought!
The announcement that there was to be a snap Covid-19 lock down for 5 days put everything into disarray.
While the organisers where also in "Plan B" mode so where we. Waiting for the new plan and then waiting to see if it was going ahead.
As Plan B was announced we went into our Plan B as well. We chatted with Chris Ord about Plan B and we changed accordingly.
- Arrive Mt Buller Thursday evening, get into accommodation (really nice)
- Check in with Race Director and Medical crew to get a radio
- Pack gear.
- Awake at 0400 to move to top of the mountain to obtain light trails of 5 am runners start of Hut 2 Hut day 1.
- Velta to stay at Mt Buller
- Ian to go to 4 mile, (1 hour Drive). Park Ute and capture runners as the make their way up 4 mile spur. Camp the night and capture day 2 on the way back down 4 mile spur. Reverse of day 1.
- After getting the day 2 morning shots race down the 4 mile spur, get into Ute drive to Pikes flat and then walk into Richie's hut and capture runners at river crossing and along the trail, Velta to get morning shots of Day 2 Hut 2 Hut and Archie's runners. including finish line.
- Ian make way back to Ute, drive up to Mt Buller and help with finish line.
First 5 steps worked great. Ian had not been to 4 mile camp ever. Missed the turn off and arrived at 6 mile (yup 2 miles further along) Burty Burt is nearly always the 1st runner when he is at an event. Did not want to miss him and who ever was chasing him. So stop, park, get camera out and there he was! Got the shots, chasing him was Tom Dade and two other runners not far behind, Phew got them. Put on the pack..
The Pack. Over night in the mountains means tent, sleeping bag, mat, extra food, extra clothing, spare batteries and camera gear, first aid kit, 3 litres of water, PLB (Personal Location Beacon) and the Radio. A few extra Kilos..
Ian made his way around the trail to 4 mile (3 km away) capturing runners as they progressed in the same direction. 
It is a very picturesque trail high along the Howqua river, curving with the winding flow. A hot day but shady along the trail. Arrived at 4 Mile check point, The Westfoldians' were doing a great job and service here. 
He departed to the river and enjoyed the cool river before the trek up 4 MILE SPUR!!
4 Mile Spur:
Having had discussions and listened to many peoples thoughts and experiences on this Spur, Ian had considered this to be an adventure and challenge. Boy was he right! The approximately 45 degree incline up this spur with the oppressive heat and the weight on his back made for an interesting trek. Stopping to take photos on the way of the runners (walkers) making their way capturing the smiles and grimaces plus giving the encouraging words to urge them onward to the top. Ian enjoyed the break to take this shots. As the incline seemed to never end, breaks were taken more often.
Ian met two of the wonderful Medics on the trail. Karen and Julie looked at him and ask if he was OK? After a discussion and finding out he still had 4 km to go, Ian decided to sit on a beautifully located log across the trail and take a break, eat, take photos of runners and contemplate THE PLAN.
We are always changing the plan to suit the situation. In this case the ambitious plan was to be changed. Taking into account all the other parts of the plan mentioned above, this was not going to work!
New Plan...
Walk back down 4 Mile Spur. Make way back to Ute. Rethink the Plan.
Made it down to the River to find the Sweep team enjoying the cool river.
Hot, tired and weary Ian decided a warm shower, warm food and warm bed would work nicely and start the next day with another plan. No phone coverage to let Velta know the new plan. Drove out and got into phone range to let Velta that we needed a revised plan. Velta was going to make her way to the summit of Mt Buller and leave the finish line to Ian. Ian arrived back at finish line and thunder was heard from above. Race stopped. Poles were given in to check points and The summit was closed for safety reasons..
All runners in the Briefing for Archies had begun.
Velta was part way up summit and was turned around. She made her way back to the finish line.
Once this precaution was lifted and Velta was finally with Ian at the finish line, food was had and it was time for the new Plan.
Day 2. Archie and part two of the Oscars Hut2Hut.
Plan: Velta and Ian to go to the base of Mt Buller. Capture night shots, light trails and sunrise. Once all the Oscars had left, Velta stayed to get the Archie runners and Ian to drive to the start line and get the Start of the Archie. Ian then drive to Eight mile (1Hour away). Capture runners and make his way to Richie's Hut and get photos at the 10 river crossings. be back by 2pm to help with finish line and or summit photos. 
Great plan. all good until the 10 river crossing and the walk to Richie's Hut. Arrived at Eight Mile check point. Geared up captured some runners and made his way to the river and all of the crossings. This was great. Got some great photos. 
Arrived half way and in the middle of the river when the little message on his camera stated that CARD FULL!...Lucky he done the Mobile phone course (Back up camera!) Ian made his way to the river bank, changed cards, checked battery! LUCKY! that was close to flat. Changed all and back into the river to capture more runners. It is a really beautiful area and the river was clear and scenic.
Finally Ian found Richie's hut. Greeted warmly and with Coffee! WooHoo! 
Ange and Martin did a great job.
Ian stayed and hour refuelled and capture runners at the hut. Ian asked Angie what time it was expecting it to be about 930ish.....NO 1130...! No way was he going to make it to Mt Buller by 2pm. Off he went to capture all the remanding runners and sweeps! Did this and made haste to get to the Ute and return to Buller.
On return to Mt Buller Velta was on her way to the summit again, but was turned around due to a storm producing thunder and lightening. Ian drove to the summit car park when this was safe to do so. The Fire watch guy at the top said to be aware as more storms were on they way (Bewdy great photos). Did not eventuate.
Ian came down from the mountain After capturing the emotion of the runners getting their page as proof they had made it to the top of Mt Buller, Ian came down from the mountain and met up with Velta. Our Rory Lights were running low, spare batteries were in the room.....grr. Fixed and improved photos.
We then captured all the emotion of a finish line. 
So glad we were both there as there was a lot happening. It is quite magical when the emotions are running high and the crowd are cheering every runner to the end line. Smiles, tears and relief is everywhere. These people, the trail running community are such a positive group, it is a pleasure to be around them.
The sweeps made their way in. 
