| After
an absence of a couple of years from our programme, the formal
dinner walk made a comeback last summer at the rebuilt Ropers
Hut. The nine kilometre walk in was far enough for a feeling
of getting away from it all, but easy enough to compensate for
the extra weight of food and drink being carried. |
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It took a few years to rebuild the hut after
its destruction in the 2003 bushfires, but the result is well worth
the effort; an attractive building in keeping with its original character,
but with a cleaner and better designed interior. Even without the
hut this is one of the most attractive camping areas on the Bogong
High Plains, set amidst an intact stand of snow gums that was able
to be saved from the fire. At 1600m it is above the winter snowline
but not the summer snakeline, as evidenced by a metre long tiger slithering
between the tents while everyone was sitting around having lunch.
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For anyone hoping for tips
by observing what food or clothing others take on an overnight
walk, the displays of fine food, wine and fashion on this walk
were (sadly) very atypical. |
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The same applied to those seeking
ideas on what to sleep in. You won't find this gracing the
display floor of Anaconda. Resident equipment connoisseur
Bruce Meincke was flabbergasted to find a brand of tent he'd
never owned before!
It's hoped that formal dinners will
resume as an annual event; anyone with ideas or willing to
organise next summer's is encouraged to contact the Walks
Secretary.
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