The 37km Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is known as one of Victoria's iconic multi-day walks, regarded for the spectacular mountain scenery, high country huts and ecologically significant vegetation types.
For the Year 11 VET Sport and Recreation class, the Falls to Hotham hike marks a significant milestone in their progression from participants to leaders. As a practical assessment task, students are responsible for demonstrating their skills and knowledge in communication and leadership, hazard identification, risk management and planning.
Beginning from Heathy Spur, the site the students travelled to on snowshoes last year, the hike starts with an appreciation of the seasonal changes in the alpine region. From here, the students work in leadership teams to navigate the group safely to along the Australian Alps Walking Track to the two campsites at Cope Hut and Dibbins Hut.
Along the way, the student leaders deliver well-planned education sessions on the area’s Indigenous and European history, environmental significance and current land use. The opportunity to spend significant time with their friends, experience the mountain top sunrises (pictured) and take on the responsibility of leadership was long awaited and appreciated by all.
