Mount Feathertop
| Mount Feathertop | |
|---|---|
 Mount Feathertop as seen from the saddle to the South in early spring. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,922 m (6,306 ft)AHD |
| Coordinates | 36°54′S 147°08′E / 36.900°S 147.133°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Victoria, Australia |
| Parent range | Great Dividing Range |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike/ski |
Mount Feathertop is the second-highest mountain in the Australian state of Victoria. It rises to 1,922 metres (6,306 feet) AHD. Snow remaining in the summit gullies in spring give the appearance of feathers - hence the name "Feathertop".
Vegetation
Mountain Ash forest predominantly covers the lower slopes, transitioning to snowgums above 1,000 metres. Above the treeline there is alpine grass and herbs.
Access routes
The main access routes are the Razorback, Bungalow Spur and the North-West Spur. The Razorback is a very popular walk in summer and it is a spectacular ski tour in winter. The Razorback starts near the Mount Hotham ski resort and is the shortest route. The proximity of the mountain to this ski resort has led to Mount Feathertop becoming a popular Backcountry skiing destination. The Bungalow Spur track starts near Harrietville. It starts at an elevation of only 480m and after the first few kilometres has steep switchbacks up most of the mountain.
Winter on Mount Feathertop
Winter can be cold on Mount Feathertop with below freezing alpine conditions and snow coverage between June and September. The easy access from Harrietville and Mount Hotham makes the mountain a popular ski touring destination in winter. A sizable cornice usually forms along the summit ridge in winter, the collapse of which has claimed the life of a number of unwary people who stood on it.
Mountain huts
There are two huts on the mountain. Melbourne University Mountain Club (MUMC) hut is situated on the North-West Spur close to the tree line.[1] It has a unique dome shape, and has an upstairs sleeping area.[2] Federation Hut is situated at the top of Bungalow Spur near Little Feathertop, and was rebuilt in 2005 after it was destroyed by the 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires.
From 1925 to 1939 Feathertop also boasted a ski lodge, the Feathertop Bungalow, where visitors in summer and winter could get a bed and a meal.[3]
Tim Holding's disappearance
Victorian Minister Tim Holding disappeared at the mountain on August 31, 2009 when he failed to return from his solo hiking journey.[4] Sixty searchers were deployed in the field by Monday evening, August 31, 2009, including Victorian Police Search and Rescue, Bush Search and Rescue and the State Emergency Service.[5] He was found during the morning on Tuesday 1 September, one day after searchers were deployed on Monday. It has been claimed he was found by a Channel 7 media helicopter during the morning, but police have said they located Holding during the prior night and returned there the next day.
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Mount Feathertop and Razorback in spring.
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Easterly view from the peak in late spring.
Notes
- ^ North West Spur, remote tech's bushwalking site, Accessed 2/1/08
- ^ MUMC Hut,remotetech's bushwalking site, Accessed 2/1/08
- ^ Feathertop Bungalow
- ^ Schulz, Matthew (31 August 2009). "Tim Holding missing on Mt Feathertop after failing to return from hike". The Herald Sun. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Search at Mount Feathertop on Monday 31 August 2009, Bush Search and Rescue Victoria, August 31, 2009
External links
- "Mount Feathertop". Australia Total Travel Guide. Retrieved 2010-09-03.