Midnight Ascent 2014

Requirements: Must have been on two club trips in the past year. Prepared to hike all night with a heavy pack up a steep mountain.

Since I've been too busy/lazy to determine a theme the suggestion has been for it to be onesies and/or blacktie

The river and replacement bolders have been washed away so be prepared to either; get wet shoes, socks and pants, take shoes and socks off to cross (this is snow melt water), or heavy duty garbage bags over shoes for the crossing before Mt Annoying, the bridge before The Wall is still there.

For those who don't know Midnight ascent is an annual trip to the clubs hut on Mt Feathertop. Every (close to full moon in) August we hike up to the hut on Friday night starting around midnight. The Saturday can then be spent lazing around recovering, or building igloos, or taking a trip to the summit depending upon conditions. Saturday night is the big party with everyone cooking impressive meals, nothing pre-prepared is allowed. There will be a dress up requirment which will be detailed later. Sunday is spent tidying up and heading back to the cars then Melbourne.

Last year was cancelled due to a multitude of bad factors combining so this year needs to be bigger than ever. The Tom Kneen track is open again and in pretty good condition following repairs over summer, however the first bridge which was washed away has been replaced with stepping stones. This may mean wet boots to hike up into the snow with if the river is up.

The trip is open to all active club members, however you need to have a good level of fitness as this is a strenuous hike up a steep track that can take between 4 and 8 hours. The trip will be limited to 42 people, that's a reasonable number for the hut and also divisible by 6 for food groups.

Any questions send me an email. For sign up send me an email (please inculde if you have a car and if you have walked the Tom Kneen track before), there will be no other method of signing up for this trip as I will be inconsistently around the club leading up to the trip. THE TRIP MEETING THE TUESDAY BEFORE IS COMPLUSORY, if you are not able to attend the meeting please contact me prior so arrangments can be made, otherwise you will not be able to attend the trip. Bushwalk at mumc.org.au

Some of the Gear you require that the club doesn't have to supply;

- Worn in hiking boots, no sneakers or other shoes are acceptable for this hike

- Warm gear, thermals, down jacket, beanie, gloves etc.

- Spare warm socks, incase they get wet, thermal, woolen or synthetic

- No denim, no cotton

If you'd like a full suggestion of gear please ask/ I'll email one closer to the date