Midnight Ascent: Where’s Wally?

Note: to be able to do Midnight Ascent you have to have done at least 2 club trips and have a leader vouch for your ability to safely complete the trip. This is an intermediate to advanced trip and requires walking (with pack and tent) through potentially thick snow up a very steep incline in the dark. In saying this, the rewards are definitely worth it! Chat to us if you are unsure if you have any concerns. Final trip limits will be confirmed closer to the time.

For new players- Midnight Ascent is the annual club trip to our snow-surrounded MUMC hut at Mt Feathertop, where the 4-7hr uphill walk begins at midnight on Friday and all sanity is left at the carpark. Think fancy dress in the snow, think three-course meal from scratch, think some classic adventuring with all your mates.

The full moon falls toward the end of August this year, and the trip will run on the 12-14 August. Note that the trip will only run if the weather provides safe conditions, if conditions are not safe then we have a backup weekend.

The rough order of proceedings is:

1. Friday afternoon/evening: Start heading towards the hike start (Trout/Salmon farm just before Harrietville).
2. Friday midnight: Start hiking up North West Spur Track (aka Tom Kneen memorial track)
3. Saturday early morning: Arrive at MUMC hut in time for the sunrise (hopefully)
4. Saturday morning: Set up tents and snooze the morning away
5. Saturday afternoon: Where's Wally dressup 
6. Saturday evening: 3 course meal creation
7. Sunday morning: packup camp and start making our way down the mountain (time depends on your group)

A few key requirements of participation:

- You must have a demonstrated ability to be prepared for, and hike in wet conditions and very cold temperatures (e.g. in the snow).

- You must have been on at least two club trips to sign up (so if you are a new member that is keen to come, make sure you get out on a couple of trips before then!).

- You must attend the pre trip meeting on the Tuesday.

- You must bring a costume that fits the theme of the event.

This year participants must be prepared to snow camp- the mezzanine of the hut needs a bit of maintenance, so we will be limited on numbers that can sleep in the hut. Please keep this in mind when signing up.

This year the dress up them is Where's Wally. Grab your red and white stripey jumpers, scarves and beanies! Or if you want to be an Odlaw grab your yellow and black stripes or you may even want to be the wizard or even the dog!