Derrick Hut Hotham Heights, Victoria, Australia
By skullracing on 17-Mar-12. Waypoint GC3F3QP

The coordinates were spot on. My first geocache find on 2024 - that should be worth a souvenir. I found it while camping at Derrick Hut on my AAWT SOBO solo walk; I had a short walk today from Basalt Temple where I camped on a beautiful wee saddle last night.

Found whilst on a “snowshoe” tour to Derricks hut. Not much snow around today

here we took shelter

the mountain rains had come and soaked the slopes for a good few hours
we went into damage limitation: our boots are riddled with holes and our hiking pants soak up water like sponges
we took shelter at the hut

four others took refuge here too
two women from bogong
a couple hunkering down at the hut for the night

we spent the afternoon watching the rain come down
stories swapped amid the drizzle
no one could top the horrific overland track tale
we read the newspaper reports later that night

we took a break from the horror stories
and found a gap in the rain
to sneak off and sign

TFTC

Found this one on our last leg of our three day hike around feathertop and hotham. We got up from Dibbin's hut and started the walk up swindlers spur. It was nice to see the changing vegetation as we got higher and higher and soon we were up in the snowgums. Once we got the Derrik's hut we set the packs down and headed down to find the cache. Once at GZ, checked about 10 snowgums before I finally found the cache. Signed log and returned TFTC

Walked up from Dibbins camp, stopped at Derrick's to make a hot drink & get out of the cold wind.
To top it off, a nip down to get another good cache. A good day.

Found on a previous walk, a belated post

On a walk from Mt Loch car park to Dibbins Hut so thought I'd try and grab a couple of caches on the way. After a rest at Derrick's Hut, I set out to find this cache. After barking up the wrong 'you know what', I spotted this large cache. Log signed, cache replaced. Nice hide. TFTC

We are heading back from a return trip on bikes out to [Red Robin Mine](https://coord.info/GL10JW1TE) along the Machinery Spur from Loch Reservoir (Mount Hotham). From the Mt Loch lookout, I went ahead of the others to detour via Derrick Hut as I was keen for some more out this way! Once back at the Alps Tk junction MTH020, I continued on the bike about 3/4 of the way down (fun!) before dumping the treadly to complete the last few hundred metres on foot. Along that last section of trail, I met a hiker coming the other way who had come from Omeo. She has had a big day of hiking! Appears to be a lot of people using these trails in a big way. I arrived at the hut and met some more hikers resting there who were just about to move on. These guys were from Switzerland. Not sure where they had come from *today* but I reckon I saw them leaving the lookout at Mt Loch in the distance as I was arriving there earlier on. What a beautiful place it is here on this "little" hillside. It must be even better in the snow season. Went for a short walk with a view and found a cache nice and dry and away from any muggle eyes that's for sure. Coords were spot on even though I doubted them up until spotting the cache. From Mt Loch to CIH it took me exactly 30 mins.

Once everything was placed back as found, I began the uphill trek back along the Alps Track where I found my bike... and had to push THAT all the way up to the junction. BUT coasted my way back down the spur on the treadly (for the second time today! [See my log](https://coord.info/GL10JV0C3) for the other Derrick's cache, nearby lol) where I overtook the Swiss hikers and arrived at the reservoir within minutes of the lady hiker too. Actually I thought the Swiss folks made good time considering I rode a fair bit of this leg. I had run out of water as I was passing Derrick's Memorial so meeting up with the other novos at the car was a welcome sight. From re-hiding the cache to the COLD DRINK in the esky at the carpark was ~65 mins. We had an absolute ball on the Spur Track today. TFTC, skullracing. Another awesome cache.
#1102

Firstly, apologies for the lateness in logging.
A week in Bright had us venturing further and higher on a 40degree day.
Nice to see some snow about up here too.
Thanks for placing this one Lexxie.
You have no idea how many trees fit the clue, took a while

After camping overnight at Diamantina Hut I decided I had enough time in the morning to go for a run before my appointment at the Alpine School. But where to go?
Looking at the map I decided Derrick Hut and Mt Loch. The weather had already started to turn, lots of cloud and strong winds, plus the temperature was dropping as well. The total run distance added up to 10km and I found two caches for my troubles. The final couple of km back to the car the cloud got thick and visibility was very low! And the car was rocking thanks to the strong winds!

I was glad to get to the hut cause nature was calling! The loo with a view doesn’t disappoint!
Found the cache shortly after and I was back running the trail.

TFTC

Found with mrs mochila. Tftc

TFTC.
On our way to Dibbins. With Tony Toad.

A nice spot. But a bit overgrown and “snaky”

What a sad story about being so close yet so far.

This was a great place to stop for lunch. It even has a loo with a view.

Before tucking into refreshments, we wandered off to find the cache. It didn't take long and my geoniece had the can in hand. A big grin was on show as she pondered over what swag to swap. The deed was done and log signed.

Thanks for another fun hunt Lex.

Found at 11.00am. This is a lovely hut, I have stayed at many times during the snow season. I sat at gz taking in the views, the coming cold front, the last snow drifts, the scree slopes, thinking back on all the times I have skiied this area.Thanks for bringing me back again.
TNLN K&M

Beautiful area up here among the snow gums. Don’t think we would have got here this time last week but there’s been a fair bit of snow melt by the looks of it. Still plenty of deep drifts around too Thanks for bringing us here..

I was looking forward to this cache and tried to line it up for lunchtime. As I wandered back from the Red Robin Mine I took a left hand turn and followed a small track along to Derrick's Hut.

I was a bit hungry and from my backpack I produced a large t-bone steak, some mushrooms a number of in season vegetables and a small bottle of whisky and some herbs and spices.

Soon I was feasting on rare steak with a lovely whisky/mushroom sauce and a few vegetables. I served it all up on the finest crockery I could find.

Actually, I was being a bit delusional. A couple of muesli bars and some water was actually what my lunch consisted of. But you know what, in that setting, there in that hut on that mountain at that time with the wind blowing around that muesli bar may as well have been a rare t-bone.

A great little place and I loved the drop bear warnings.....it's always good to look after our overseas tourists!

Great walk out to the hut and rewarded with this cache.

It’s been awhile and the Hut is looking good with new cost of paint but a tad soggy camping out here with students from TAS - tomorrow it’s via Spargos to Biathlon. Wild flowers galore. TFTC - it’s in good nic

Found on the first day of an epic 4 day Easter hike, circuit, via Mt. Loch, Derricks, Dibbins and Young's Huts', Mt. Jim, Tawonga Huts, former Mt. Niggerheads, Fainters North and South, Tawonga Huts, Westons Hut, Red Robin Mine and back past Mt. Loch.

Did we tell you it was an epic hike with 5 of some of Victoria's Highest peaks climbed and 16 awesome caches found?
After failing to find Cool Runnings on our first pass (that's another story) and making hard work of getting 360 degrees on Loch, due to stupidly leaving our GPSr stashed with our overloaded packs and not on the peak, with us, we were really eager to find Derricks Hut without incident, so we could clamber down to Dibbins safely and make camp before it got too late.

The last time we were here we camped overnight on a return journey, to enable a quick exit the next day. It was so memorable because the wild dogs howled all night. No sign of them now, thank goodness.

We were so pleased to Navigate straight to GZ and sign the log. Had a quick break and moved onto Dibs on this cache.
TFTC
.

Nice little spot not far from the hut - a great, peaceful view from GZ. TFTC.

Last day of 5 days trekking from Falls Creek with Purrfect75 and two muggles..
Just love it..
Will come back next few months.
Found it with help from hint.
Stay for the night before heading back home.

Thanks skullracing for the hunting and cache.

Despite it being holidays it seems we've been rushing about a lot lately. This has meant a lot of caches passed by because they were just taking too long. After camping out at JB Plain last night, took the kids for a walk up to Mt Loch and then on to this hut. I'd visited in winter before, so nice to see it in summer. Determined to log a cache today so we went looking for this one. Bit of a wander from the hut but we got it. TFTC.

As we had to set up and man the check point at Derrick Hut on Sunday for the Bogong to Hotham Run we decided to go in Saturday and camp overnight. A massive effort by all 42 competitors that completed the 64km run with the race record being broken by an impressive 5 mins. TFTC

Found it! Continuing on from Mount Loch, we arrived at Derrick Hut and enjoyed lunch in the shade of a large snow gum. While the others were relaxing, I wandered down to GZ and found the cache. Great views from GZ. TFTC SL Now on to Spargo's Hut!!

Easyyy #mad

Windy but beautiful day

Found it on an overnight walk to Dibbin Hut with the family. Great walk to a beautiful location, surprised there are not more finds. The cache is in very good shape. TNLN, SL. TFTC.

Found whilst walking the track. Some great huts along the way. TFTC

had lunch here then the geowife found the cache. chatted to some fellow hikers. love this part of the country. thanks for the hides this w/end skullracing.

Day out to Mt Loch and via Derricks and back to Davenport village. a great day's walking ( not hiking as not carrying a full pack!!] Have to record as being here. I forgot to take the 'machine' so missed the opportunity for a decent search
TFTC and bringing me out here together with 9 muggles.

Day 1 of 3 days on AAWT.while the others brewed up I snuck off for a quick find.TNLNSL TFTF

This entry was edited by jonnosan on Tuesday, 30 December 2014 at 20:10:32 UTC.

Walking along the Australian Alpine Walking track with two muggle mates. We finish early in the day walking so I have plenty of time, but not much energy to find caches that are nearby to the track.

Found after hiking up from Dibbin's Hut during my 6 day hike around the area before camping here so I could get out to miss the early bus back to Bright. tnln...nice...

Found @11:53 #3938
Having found 360 on loch this was the next cache found as a detour on the hike back to the car. A very pleasant walk down to the hut this morning with the missus. While she was reading the hut's log book I headed over to GZ nearby. Got swooped again on approach by another magpie and for a moment wondered if it was the same crazy magpie which had chased us for over 700m near the Loch car park. This one gave up after the first swoop and then witnessing my awesome ribbon twirling skills in response. Now free from attack I was able to complete the find. Awesome another cache found above 1700m, today in fact it was apparently 1735m to be exact. Great spot. I'll return soon one day to do the other caches at the other nearby huts. Thanks to skullracing for placing this cache. A favorite.[^]

Plenty of walking today.
The bananas had never done anything like this. So preparations were made.
I told the "Day Party" the bananas were coming.
I took a water bottle.
I took a packet of snakes.
I wore runners.
And I took a hat.
About 30km.
Because I knew this could take all day.
The bananas travel light.
But it was good to be prepared.

[green] That moment again [/green]

Once again I had my Nurofen moment around here but I decided I should be fine without that stuff. I think I've taken enough medication over the last year - maybe I should start some serious training? Anyway - the ammo can (surprise!) was located in no time so we could move on to our final leg of the hike. I already thought that the last dip will be Schlampe at this stage but in the end it turned out far easier.

Thanks and cheers
Philipp

[url=http://fb.com/groups/geocachingmelbourne][navy]Geocaching Melbourne[/navy][/url]
[url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10205629284470418.1073741876.1202959017&type=1&l=2b60e020c9]Pictures of the weekend[/url]

Another great spot for a cache. Philipp, Rohan and I had set off to do the Mt Loch, Dibbins Hut circuit with a run out to Spargo Hut too. I haven't done a lot of hiking in the last few months and what I have done has been on relatively flat terrain so I wsn't sure how I would fair today. I was pleasantly surprised when I reached this cache and could confidently say that all body parts were fairing quite well. Thanks again skullracing for getting us all out and about!

Date: 22 November 2014
Time: 16:32
Find #4238

I had been looking forward to the Hotham Gamble Event weekend for some time, so had done quite a bit of planning the caches I wanted to find while here. My main focus was to qualify for The Victorian 1700m+ ASL Challenge, but make sure I had at least ten above 1800m, the way the challenge was originally intended .

After a good nights sleep under canvas at the Red Robin Heli pad, I made the trek up the hill via Cobungra Gap to mount Jim, then back towards Hotham Via Dibbins and Derrick huts.

It was about now I had accepted the fact I would miss the official part of the event (Thanks to Ron for entering me in the draw anyway) and I had also upon arriving at the hut run out of water. anyway, I was here now, so ventured from the hut to GZ where the cache was quickly located.

A favourite point for the High Country location.

Left pathtag

Thanks to skullracing for placing this cache.

21 day trip from hotham to thredbo! TFTC

I found whilst instructing a group from Chisholm Tafe Outdoor Leadership students, on a six day bushwalking/ navigation trip. Wet start to the trip today and a wild finish on Saturday night, with a five hour thunderstom, followed by another at 3:00 AM, Sunday. Pity i didn't get to do a few more of your caches during the week. Thanks skullracing for the cache. Cheers, BWbandit

16/01/14 11:15 Find #578
Whoops can't believe I found this cache over a year ago and still haven't logged it. Found just while doing the Mt Loch circuit during a camping trip to escape the heat wave in Melbourne, passing Red Robin battery and ascending Diamantina Spur. I distinctively remember the stroll down the hill while my mate kicked back at the hut. While it was nice and cool up on Mt Hotham, it was a bit stinking hot down in the valley and walking up the hill in the heat gave me a bit of a migraine. Fortunately the temperature dropped somewhere on the way up and the migraine eased. Before that at least there was some relief from some cool air flowing out of the mountain through a vent at the mine site.

I think I have had the pleasure of finding one of your caches before. Very well constructed! Thanks for the cache.

After recent bushfires took a walk to check on this cache.

Completed as part of the Ramblers Reward Challenge.

A beautiful place for a lovely new cache. Found by team of junior gcers and their gc mums. Smallest gc was 6 who did his longest bush walk today.

Nice find! Good trinkets! Swapped for a little dinosaur we picked up 6 days ago on the summit of mount Bogong!

Nice find! Good trinkets! Swapped for a little dinosaur we picked up 6 days ago on the summit of mount Bogong!

Found with geo-twin out hiking! Fabulous setting and great, dry cache. It was sunny so had no need for refuge in the hut. TFTC

Found while out on a day hike with BIngami - great weather, although remnants of snow on the south side of the hut. What a magic spot. TFTC

Travelling counter-clockwise through skullracing's series, visited Derrick's after a short walk up from Spargo's. I've spent a lot of time here on telemark skis in the winter (obviously) and so knew I could cut through in a straighter line. Great autumn weather, but rain overnight left the grass wet, so my shorts and shoes were sopping. No matter. Found the hide without difficulty, and had learned from Spargo's not to expect it in the immediate vicinity. Again a great big double-box with lots of goodies inside. But TNLF again. Onward to the next in the series....

Day Two of a five day hike. On our way to Dibbin's Hut tonight (which was the plan, but had to keep going due to the Hut already being full with three groups of campers). Quick stop at Derrick's Hut for a drink, snack and toilet stop. Nice easy find. What an amazing Cache.
Thanks Skullracing. Was happy to find this one, as I didnt find your Derrick's memorial. I think I put in the wrong coordinates.
TNLN. TFTC.
#122

FTF GoneSki..!
After having success at the only multi in the series "Cool Runnings" i was heading off on the trek to "Derrick Hut".
The walk alone was just fantastic, every step of the way was terrific, with the sound of the early season snow crumbling under my footsteps, with the sun rising, and the serenity this walk is up there with my favorites.
I was making good time and i was at the hut sooner than i thought i would be.
These huts up here are just sensational, would be such a god send if required to use in an emergency.
I left my back pack in the hut and started the search, and soon enough, again, after shifting the snow the container was in hand and another very well stocked cache was found.
The log book was signed and the container was replaced as found, even with the snow.
I walked back to the hut and was thinking how easily someone could get lost up here,(before GPSr that is), and if no one new where you were heading it could take weeks to be found.
Many thanks again to Skullracing, this is an area i will never forget, i will make sure i come back here.
This has got a BIG FAT favorite point from me.

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