Nice video Michael and really excellent pictures. Good you placed that icon at the beginning of the video about crampons. Actually ( in my humble opinion) it should be an ice axe and instep crampons. If you have a choice , take the ice axe, but the caveat is that one should know how to cut steps in ice walking uphill and downhill with a pack on. This is actually no easy feat on the upper reaches of the Staircase spur, bending over double on the decent with 25-30 kg on one's back hacking at the ice, and needs to be practised beforehand. Plus the other basic skill is a confident ability to self arrest with an ice axe. Instep crampons do the job well but need to combined with an ice axe. The steep slopes of the Victorian Alps are deceptively hazardous in a freeze combined with winds and zero visibility. Someone walking up with only snowshoes but no ability to descend safely in a freeze (cutting steps for example) is asking for trouble. These were the circumstances in which Cleve Cole died in 1936 as part of a party of experienced walkers who could not get off the mountaain in a winter blizzard freeze. Of course it is his name that is on the hut situated on the southern slopes of Bogong. I've actually slipped on the upper slopes of Feathertop in the past and self arrested with an ice axe: wearing snowshoes. The other thing I would suggest if solo hiking on Bogong is a safety line attaching your pack to you ( I have had a pack roll downhill, luckily it was clear and I could follow its route down to the gully between the Staircase and Eskdale Spurs). This can be a simple nylon cord, nothing fancy. But a length of 9 mm Kernmantle rope would be ideal. I'm probably telling you to suck eggs here Micheal, but leave this post for other folk who will navigate to your wonderful video and who may not be as experienced. Thanks again!
Good advice. An ice axe would be handy in places. I found myself kicking in steps approaching the summit ridgeline, very slow going. Coming back down that section was dodgy. Fortunately my snowshoes have excellent crampons, and with the trekking poles it felt safe for me on that particular day, but agreed, an axe would have been better. Being on belay with a partner would be even better, but I no longer know anyone silly enough for such endeavors. I've about 35 years of hiking and rock climbing experience including some ice climbing and have trained for self arrest with an axe. Had to do so once many years ago on another mad solo adventure. No axe, but all my weight on a tripod saved the day, wasn't fun and destroyed the tripod head. So yeah, safer the better, don't do what I do. Coming down is often harder than going up. A fall from the summit ridge of Bogong under snow, could easily send you all the way the trees below.
Cheers Michael, thanks for taking my post in the spirit it was written, much appreciated! OK...so you had the snow shoes with the built in teeth: good call! Best wishes RT@@michaelboniwell5389
Bogong is Victoria's highest peak. Walking at night often allows for being on location at dawn when the light can be great for landscape photos. It can also mean carrying less gear, if you plan to be in and out in a single day. During hotter months it has the benefit of keeping you out of the sun longer. I actually like hiking at night and find it peaceful.
Love your channel. Good to see videos that are about the place and getting there not just about photography or photographer.
Well done Michael. Thanks for posting this. I think I'll wait for Spring or summer. Thanks again mate.
great video man - a lot of dedication to do that - respect!
Thank you Michael for the enjoyable video. Better you than me up ther though.
Nice video Michael and really excellent pictures. Good you placed that icon at the beginning of the video about crampons. Actually ( in my humble opinion) it should be an ice axe and instep crampons. If you have a choice , take the ice axe, but the caveat is that one should know how to cut steps in ice walking uphill and downhill with a pack on. This is actually no easy feat on the upper reaches of the Staircase spur, bending over double on the decent with 25-30 kg on one's back hacking at the ice, and needs to be practised beforehand. Plus the other basic skill is a confident ability to self arrest with an ice axe. Instep crampons do the job well but need to combined with an ice axe. The steep slopes of the Victorian Alps are deceptively hazardous in a freeze combined with winds and zero visibility. Someone walking up with only snowshoes but no ability to descend safely in a freeze (cutting steps for example) is asking for trouble. These were the circumstances in which Cleve Cole died in 1936 as part of a party of experienced walkers who could not get off the mountaain in a winter blizzard freeze. Of course it is his name that is on the hut situated on the southern slopes of Bogong. I've actually slipped on the upper slopes of Feathertop in the past and self arrested with an ice axe: wearing snowshoes. The other thing I would suggest if solo hiking on Bogong is a safety line attaching your pack to you ( I have had a pack roll downhill, luckily it was clear and I could follow its route down to the gully between the Staircase and Eskdale Spurs). This can be a simple nylon cord, nothing fancy. But a length of 9 mm Kernmantle rope would be ideal.
I'm probably telling you to suck eggs here Micheal, but leave this post for other folk who will navigate to your wonderful video and who may not be as experienced. Thanks again!
Good advice. An ice axe would be handy in places. I found myself kicking in steps approaching the summit ridgeline, very slow going. Coming back down that section was dodgy. Fortunately my snowshoes have excellent crampons, and with the trekking poles it felt safe for me on that particular day, but agreed, an axe would have been better. Being on belay with a partner would be even better, but I no longer know anyone silly enough for such endeavors.
I've about 35 years of hiking and rock climbing experience including some ice climbing and have trained for self arrest with an axe. Had to do so once many years ago on another mad solo adventure. No axe, but all my weight on a tripod saved the day, wasn't fun and destroyed the tripod head. So yeah, safer the better, don't do what I do. Coming down is often harder than going up. A fall from the summit ridge of Bogong under snow, could easily send you all the way the trees below.
Cheers Michael, thanks for taking my post in the spirit it was written, much appreciated! OK...so you had the snow shoes with the built in teeth: good call! Best wishes RT@@michaelboniwell5389
Love your videos mate. Do you have a Insta for your work.
I've shied away from social media, but my website has all my work www.chockstonephotos.com
@@michaelboniwell5389Thanks mate. Love your adverntures. Do you take people along your adventures?
@@PraveenShankam Usually it's just our lad and I, or I'm by myself. (I might do one-to-one workshops one day).
I didn’t know mt bogong was higher than Hotham. Just curious why you walk at night? Isn’t that dangerous?
Bogong is Victoria's highest peak. Walking at night often allows for being on location at dawn when the light can be great for landscape photos. It can also mean carrying less gear, if you plan to be in and out in a single day. During hotter months it has the benefit of keeping you out of the sun longer. I actually like hiking at night and find it peaceful.
@@michaelboniwell5389 night hiking is thebest....beautiful sunrise si waiting for you, especially in summer time