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Rock cairn near the summit of Mt Difficult

We are two very sore hikers after our trip to the Grampians on the weekend. All up it was a very successful trip although I am ill today with a tummy bug – possibly from a warm salami sandwich.

Here are the trip details

Gear
2 daypacks – V’s tended to be a little heavy, but mine was excellent, just the right size and I didn’t even notice it was there half the time.
Excellent pockets in both, very handy.
2 windproof soft shells (useful at the summits as it got very breezy and cold especially with perspiration)
Columbia hiking boots, from China (CJ) – excellent for the rocky terrain although I seemed to get blisters from the left foot only. ?? reason?
Keen hiking shoes (V) – well cushioned although we noted a hole already – after a few days of use!
Kathmandu merino lite hiker women’s – (CJ) – didn’t get sweaty, smelly or too warm – excellent socks – although I would probably use a sock liner next time to prevent blisters (and air my feet out at lunchtime as recommended by all the books)
Columbia hiking shirt, with collar – did a good job in wicking away sweat as promised, with no smell even after a good 6 hour hike in the sun
Columbia hiking pants – very light and breezy, easy to hike in in the warm weather
Camelbak 1.5L bladder – very useful though needed a refill after a couple of hours
Paddy Pallin underwear - as promised, did not smell even after a full sweaty day’s hiking!

Treks:
Day 1 – Mt Abrupt hike (476m) followed by lunch then Mt Sturgeon hike (343m)- both took about 3 hours round trip and were reasonably steep but not technically difficult. However, the 6 hrs of hiking took its toll - I passed out before 9pm that night!!

CJ on the Mt Abrupt trail

Day 2 – Mt Difficult hike (400+m) - Yes not a very steep ascent overall, but it was the most technically difficult hike I’d ever done! All up we spent seven hours on the mountain, and basic rock climbing skills were needed in some parts. Scrambling up an almost vertical cleft in the rock which was almost head height for me was memorable! There was lots of time spent picking your way around giant boulders and hopping from one to the other along a ridge that seemed to go on forever. The signposting is not great either - We almost continued on to another destination some 12 km away after we had reached the summit!

Serious rockclimbing skills needed!

We stayed at a great little backpackers called Tim’s place - www.timsplace.com.au. Its a steal at $75 for a self contained studio unit - very comfortable and we cooked our own dinner which saves a loooot of hassle - though the bathroom was outside (just around the corner) but it was our own private bathroom. Dorm beds are much cheaper.