In the shadows of Mt Buffalo

With February here, and only just over a month till the Alpine Challenge 100km, I am using every bit of free time to head to our Australian peaks and get as much training, playing, hiking, and exploring into my legs as possible. 

This past weekend I headed down south again on what is becoming a very familiar 700km drive from Sydney to Bright. I had 3 days off so the plan was to get in some quality hills and then race the Mt Buller Skyrun on the Sunday. 

Friday - Mt Buffalo 

The climb up to Mt Buffalo across large granite slabs, and up on the alpine plateau is fast becoming one of my favorite places to be. The colors, spectacular view points, unique vegetation, and meandering trails keep you wanting to run and explore well past sunset. Recommended is either starting at the Eurobin picnic ground and taking the Big Walk trail up to the plateau, or driving up higher to either Mackey's Lookout, or onto the plateau and accessing the trails from the Chalet carpark.  

The start of my hike, on the Big Walk Trail just beyond Mackey's Lookout:

View across the granite to the Australian Alps in the distance:

The Big Walk trail:

 

A lone snow gum trying to survive the harsh alpine climate:

 

Views towards the Australian Alps, Mt Bogong with its summit in the clouds:

 

View down into the valley from the Gorge

The Mt Buffalo Chalet, now closed and waiting for a new owner:

Boardwalk trail meandering through a little glen of sphagnum moss:

Lake Catani, a great place to finish a run and soak the legs and body:

On the Caldwell Galleries trail that takes you through a labyrinth of granite:

The ever changing mountain weather fast closing in, ghostly snow gum skeletons in the foreground:

The Mt Buffalo plateau:

The view of Lake Catani from The Monolith:

 

Saturday - Clear Spot, Bright

Saturday called for hills. Lots of them. A friend living in the beautiful little town of Bright recommended the hike up to Clear Spot (~1000m high). The trail is a fire break running straight up a ridge through commercial foresting areas. It is exposed, steep, rocky and perfect for training. Access is from Hargraves St in Bright, although there are other trails (of varying gradient) leading up to the top.

Last climb for the day done:

Nothing beats doing a little power yoga when you are at the top of the climb:

With training done, I could enjoy the blackberries on the way down:

Sunday - Mt Buller Skyrun

Read about the race here.

Starting the year with a mountain smorgasbord

Sunrise over Mt. Bogong (tallest peak in Victoria):

 

Saluting the sun on Mt. Feathertop summit:

 

Sunrise on Mt Buffalo:

 

The peaks of The Hump and The Cathedral emerging in the light:

 

 

The Horn, the tallest point on Mt Buffalo:

 

Scrambling on the granite boulders of The Cathedral:

 

An alpine paradise on the Mt Buffalo plateau:

 

  Getting some views on The Hump:

 

 

2013: I hope there are plenty more peaks to come!

Ultra Made Training Camp - Australian Alps

Over the weekend I joined a great group of runners from all over the country at Matt Cooper's Ultra Made Training Camps, held amongst some of Australia's highest peaks.

The time in the mountains was incredible. The runners spent 3 days dancing across trails in all sorts of weather, practicing lightness and presence when running, learning about nutrition and eating lots of good wholesome meals, resting and relaxing, sleeping, doing yoga and stretching, and drinking quality coffee.

Despite being at the camp to help out, I still left feeling as if I had learnt so much. My achilles injury had lessened with each hill and soak in the icy mountain streams, and my body felt invigorated with the sensation of running again. Mostly though, it was good to be reminded of how important it is to run with our feelings, or instincts, and not to overthink each step:

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. 

The mind is everything. What we think we become."

- Buddha

(click on the photos to view in detail)

Our first group run together; a silent, mindful session at night to focus on breathing and the lightness of our step:

Alpine flowers on Heathy Spur Trail (Close to Falls Creek):

Mel and I enjoying the colder conditions, the mist, the hail and sleet, the lightning and thunder!:

Thunder brewing in the high plains: 

Alpine flowers:

Alpine Daisies:

A runner emerging from the mist on Heathy Spur:

Group shot!:

Last day of running, about to climb up to the summit of Mt Bogong (1926m): 

First morning light through the majestic gum trees:

Alpine joy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group shot on the summit of Mt Bogong:

The Mountainman Documentary

This is a great mini-documentary about an Alpine trail running challenge held in Switzerland that I competed in this past August. The Mountainman is a one-day-race for extreme and endurance sports people whom are strong enough to run on single trails around the BergArena of Unterwalden. The unique route starts at the Mt. Titlis and passes on its length of 80.3 kilometers and 5000 meters of ascent deep blue mountain lakes, wild rock faces and breath-taking views into the high peaks of the Berner Alpen and the beautiful valleys beneath before it ends at the peak of Mt. Pilatus. Check for more info here.

The Mountainman from frank dewaele on Vimeo.
Music: Ludovico Einaudi - Fly