Mt Oakden(Version 2)

Sunday 9th November

Our three cars, each with four aboard, crossed the Oakden Canal and parked near a high, locked gate. Walking on green pastures and then along fences we got to a spur with a minimal track up through brittle, scratchy scrub. The vegetation became sparse with gravelly tussock and bare rock as we climbed. A welcome breeze cooled our efforts. At 1500m the terrain levels off and becomes a sandy “moonscape”, requiring a slight descent to connect with the spur that leads to the Big O. Nine of our group reached the 1633m top at various times, so some had an extended stay, admiring the view all around on this sunny Sunday afternoon.

All nine were ready to descend at 2:30pm. Small stretches of scree on the downward spur helped a little, but needed care, and wind-gusts were of the hat-removing kind. Our group were all down the spur by 4:10pm and back at the cars at about 4:40pm to reunite with the three that retreated earlier. The climb has been described as an unrelenting grunt, and deserves its reputation and its moderate-hard rating. I don’t think I’d do it in winter. Many thanks to Graeme for organising this rewarding day out. KM