The February Plain was traditionally a sheep & cattle run first leased by the Field family in 1860. Around the 1950s Bill Steers & his son, Basil took on the Februaries as a snaring run. In the 1960s Basil began taking cattle to graze on the plain in summer. He built the ‘Stump Hut’ in 1968 and then the larger February Plains No 3 Hut in 1974. #
Led by experienced high country enthusiast, Michael Plumbridge of Deloraine, & Jessica Whatley & her young daughter Elsie a group of 11of us trekked into the two February Plains Huts. While thick fog blanketed Deloraine & Westbury on the Saturday morning, beautiful sunshine followed the icey frost at the Februaries allowing beautiful views. Care had to be taken on the walk as the puddles & creeks were iced over. We took one hour to walk to the ‘Stump Hut’; another hour to the February Plains No 3 Hut where we had lunch and then a further hour back to the cars.
Some spent two nights at the Arm River Camp; some just the Saturday night while others came just for the day. Karen Bird spoilt us by providing a most welcome pumpkin soup on our return from the walk & then a delicious evening meal. Stories & poems kept us entertained.
Sunday morning was spent exploring the Arm River. We were treated with scenes from fairyland with the frost on the ferns & amazing ice formations in the river. Columns of ice hung like stalactites from logs while river rocks had necklaces of ice beads.
Thank you to Jessica for the time she spent in booking, planning & researching the walk in preparation for the weekend, Also to Karen for her wonderful catering.
We plan to revisit the Arm River Camp in March next year & walk into the plane wreck that is above Lees Paddocks.
# ‘A High Country Heritage.’ Simon Cubit, Des Murray
Judy Kilby
