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
