Mount Feathertop

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Mount Feathertop
Mount Feathertop as seen from the saddle to the South in early Spring
Elevation:	1,922 metres AHD (6,306 feet)
Coordinates:	36°54′S, 147°08′E
Location:	Victoria, Australia
Range:	Great Dividing Range
First ascent:	Unknown
Easiest route:	hike/ski

Mount Feathertop is the second-highest mountain in the Australian state of Victoria. It rises to 1,922 metres (6,306 feet) AHD. Snow remaining in the summit gullies in spring give the appearance of feathers - hence the name "Feathertop".

1 Vegetation
2 Access routes
- 2.1 Mountain huts
3 Notes

[edit] Vegetation

Mountain Ash forest predominantly covers the lower slopes, transitioning to snowgums above 1,000 metres. Above the treeline there is alpine grass and herbs.

[edit] Access routes

The main access routes are the Razorback, Bungalow Spur and the North-West Spur. The Razorback is a very popular walk in summer and it is a spectacular ski tour in winter. This track starts from Mount Hotham ski resort and is the shortest route. The proximity of the mountain to this ski resort has led to Mount Feathertop becoming a popular back country skiing destination. The North-West spur track starts near Harrietville. It starts at an elevation of only 480m and after the first few kilometres has steep switchbacks up most of the mountain.^[1]

[edit] Mountain huts

There are two huts on the mountain. Melbourne University Mountain Club (MUMC) hut is situated on the North-West spur close to the tree line.^[1] It has a unique dome shape, and has an upstairs sleeping area, in the top of the dome.^[2] Federation Hut is situation at the top of Bungalow Spur near Little Feathertop, and was rebuilt in 2005 after it was destroyed by the 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires.

From 1925 to 1939 Feathertop also boasted a ski lodge, the Feathertop Bungalow, where visitors in summer and winter could get a bed and a meal. ^[3]