Alpine Challenge 100miles (160km individual, team / relay course)

Stage 1
Bogong Village – Spione Kopje – Warby Corner (15.5km)
The event commences at 0430 starting outside the store in Bogong Village. From the Start at Bogong Village across the bridge and up Magazine Cable Track for approx 1km before coming to a 3 way junction, take the sign posted Spione Kopje Trail and follow this down to the ford at Rocky Valley Creek – cross with caution. Proceed up Spione Kopje Fire Track, past the aqueduct up to Warby Corner (navigation after the Grey Hills turnoff and before the final climb up to Warby Corner can be
difficult at night).
Stage 2
Warby Corner - Duane Spur – Big River -T Spur – Cleve Cole Hut - Mt Bogong – Quartz Ridge – Big River - Timms Spur – Warby Corner – Langford’s Gap Carpark (42km)
From Warby Corner proceed north along the numbered pole line past Ropers Hut (where the numbers run out) and on to Big River. Cross Big River with caution at the chain. Proceed up T-Spur and cross Camp Creek before proceeding to Cleve Cole Hut and on to the summit of Mount Bogong. From the Summit follow the unmaintained and poorly marked trail SSW and then South down Quartz Ridge, (beware of steep drops) to the tree line. The trail in this area becomes hard to find in some places, proceed with caution. Turn left (south) at the Big River Fire Track and ford the Big River before proceeding up Timms Spur to Warby Corner. Pass Mount Nelse, continue down the road to the Bogong High Plains Rd (sealed) and turn left. Proceed along the road (beware of traffic) and turn left into the Langford’s Gap carpark.
Support Crews can provide support to runners at Langfords Gap Carpark. It is also possible to walk into Warby Corner, a 5km walk in from the gate at the Watchbed Creek car parking area. Access is via Falls Creek past Rocky Valley Storage and turning left up the Big River Fire Track.
Stage 3
Langford Gap – SEC Hut – Pole 333 – Dibbin Hut – Swindlers Spur – Mt Loch Carpark (29km)
From Langford Gap follow the Alpine Walking Track – (numbered snow poles), to Pole 333, (this is the juncture of the 100 mile and 100km routes) down to Dibbin hut and up Swindlers Spur to Mt Loch Carpark. The area from SEC Hut to Pole 333 and beyond is deeply rutted single track and them over a wet plain. Watch out for Brumbies in this area.
Support Crews access Mt Loch carpark via the Alpine Road from Harrietville, the carpark is approx 2 km from before Hotham Village.
Stage 4
Mt Loch Carpark – The Razorback – Bon Accord Spur – Harrietville (16km)
From the carpark cross the road and head up to the summit of MT Hotham (firetower) before proceeding down the Alpine walking track (indistinct) to Diamintia Hut. Cross the road to pick up The Razorback and follow it for approx 1km up to the Bon Accord Spur turnoff, (do not take the track to the right along The Razorback or you will miss the turnoff). Proceed steeply down on loose rocks to the Washington Creek bridge and flattish running. At the end of the trail stick close to the river and follow it until it becomes a bitumn road that leads into Harrietville.
Support Crews return to Harrietville via the Alpine Road
Stage 5
Harrietville - Bungalow Spur - Mt Feathertop – Diamintina Spur – Westons Hut Site – Tawonga
Huts Approx 28km
At the Hotham Road, turn right and proceed through town, turn right down Feathertop Lane (after the general store). Cross the foot bridge and then right up the road towards Bungalow Spur. Bungalow Spur is a steady climb up a well benched track. Coming out of the tree line at Federation Hut the track continues up to the Cross where there is a signed turn off to the summit. After approximately 250 metres there is a signed junction to the Summit (right) and MUMC Hut (left). Water may be available at Federation Hut and at a spring approx 5 minutes down the track to the MUMC hut. Continue to the summit of Mt Feathertop before descending back to the Cross. Take the Razorback track
to the junction of Diamintina Spur. Descend the spur to logging track along the West Kiewa River.
(Diamintina Spur is steep in places with lots of loose shale and rocks – descend with care. NB this is an infrequently used trail, it is not well maintained and indistinct in places). At the base of Diamintina Spur turn right and proceed south along the road. Two options are available to access the track up to Westons Hut site. – Take the indistinct track down to Blairs Hut and ford the river or continue along the road over the bridge and take the track marked with pink tape up to Westons Hut site. (NB this is an area with a number of tracks – navigate with caution). Continue up the trail to pole 333, (shortcutting is not permitted) and then head NNW along the pole line to Tawonga Huts.
Support crews drive to Falls Creek, past Mount McKay and down to Pretty Vally Pondage, then proceed on foot for approximately 3 km over the causeway and up the Fainter Fire Track to Tawonga Huts.
Stage 6
Tawonga Huts – Bogong Jack Saddle – Bogong Village. Approx 18km
From Tawonga Huts proceed North along the Fainters walking track past the Fainters. This is initially a well defined trail however in sections it becomes indistinct, before merging into a fire trail. At Bogong Jack Saddle, pass the hut and cross the yards to pick up the Fainter Fire Trail, follow this down to The Springs Saddle and at the junction take the track south east to Bogong Village. Just before the village is a major hydro project. There is a foot trail on the left that leads down to the road. Cross the road with caution and head into the village turning right down River junction Road to the Finish outside the Store – be aware of vehicular traffic.
Alpine Challenge 100km (individual, team / relay course)
Stages 1 & 2 - As per the 100mile route (57km)
Stage 3
Langford Gap – SEC Hut – Pole 333 – Tawonga Huts (16.5km)
From Langford Gap follow the Alpine Walking Track – (numbered snow poles) to Pole 333,
and then head NNW along the pole line to Tawonga Huts.
Support crews drive to Falls Creek, past Mount McKay and down to Pretty Vally Pondage, then proceed on foot for approximately 3 km over the causeway and up the Fainter Fire Track to Tawonga Huts.
Stage 4
Tawonga Huts – Bogong Jack Saddle – Bogong Village. Approx 18km
From Tawonga Huts proceed North along the Fainters walking track past the Fainters. This is initially a well defined trail however in sections it becomes indistinct, before merging into a fire trail. At Bogong Jack Saddle, pass the hut and cross the yards to pick up the Fainter Fire Trail, follow this down to The Springs Saddle and at the junction take the track south east to Bogong Village. Just before the village is a major hydro project. There is a foot trail on the left that leads down to the road. Cross the road with caution and head into the village turning right down River junction Road to the Finish outside the Store – be aware of vehicular traffic.

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