BTAC AAWT Low Saddle to Mt MacDonald 17-19 May 2024
The clearing of the AAWT from Low Saddle Road to the upper heights of Mt McDonald was high on the priority list of the Vic Parks Rangers based in Mansfield. Sixteen volunteers, including three for the first time, met at the Low Saddle campsite late on the Friday afternoon and thanks to the efforts of an enthusiastic advance party, found the site prepared and ready for occupation.
On the Saturday despite overnight rain, and the temperature just above freezing, our volunteers were all set to undertake safety inductions at 8:00am. On the way to work light snow started to fall and there was some initial concern regarding how this would hinder our work plans. Fortunately the snow shower did not last long.
Despite the bitter temperature and a lazy wind, the volunteers made very good progress, so much so that the fallen trees impacting the track alignment were all cleared along the spur on the first day. Saturday evening the volunteers participated in a BBQ cooked by Rangers Jim and Alex and the opportunity to sit around the campfire and have a long chat. It was agreed by the volunteers that Jim and Alex had set a new benchmark for BBQs.
On the Sunday, despite very low temperatures, the volunteers completed outstanding clearing by noon and after lunch returned to camp to prepare for the trip home. A total of 4.6km was cleared over an elevation ascent of 430 metres. The volunteers contributed over 250 hours of work and spent some 200 hours in travel, preparation and administration.
Overall, the event was considered excellent as the clearing objectives were met, the track alignment was improved in a number of places and three first time volunteers were successfully inducted into the BTAC team.
The high standard of leadership and participation by Rangers Jim and Alex was very much appreciated by all the volunteers.
Bob Edwards
BTAC Activity Leader