Mt Torbreck, Pyramid Hill and Sugarloaf Peak 2017

The Melbourne Cup, a hugely hyped horse race affords Melburnians with a three day long weekend, allowing yours truly, being disinterested in all things equestrian, a day in the Victorian mountains, my first activations for more than 3 months. Mt Torbreck VK3/VN-001 in the Rubicon Range just south of Eildon would start the day, followed by nearby Pyramid Hill and the peak in the Cathedral Ranges if time and energy allowed.  Leaving Melbourne suburbs early, I turned the ignition key at 6:10am and drove towards Eildon, then south down Snobs Creek Rd to Conns Gap Rd, parking at Barnewall Plains Track by 0812, 2 hours and 2 minutes drive time.  The temperature was 8.5C.  The gate was open and a proper 4WD would have ploughed up the first steep section, but I happily walked the kilometer or so to the camping area then up the track to the summit. Steep, but with rewarding scenery, although the summit was in mist and just under cloud.

Mt Mitchell (VK3/VN-012), Sugarloaf Peak (VN-011) and Mt Bullfight (VN-002)

My two-summit plan for the day was to drive to Buxton, activate Mt Mitchell (VK3/VN-012) first, then take a leisurely climb up Sugarloaf Peak (VK3/VN-011) in the Cathedral Ranges, and if conditions up there were good, loaf around on the summit.  As it worked out, Mt Mitchell was a drive-up summit, and without rushing anything at Sugarloaf Peak I had time left in the afternoon to drive on and tackle a bullfight.  Well more of a bush-fight than a bull-fight… more on that later.

Native ground orchid in Mount Bullfight Nature Conservation Reserve.