Mount Buffalo offers plenty of interesting walking tracks with the added bonus of the occasional waterfall or stream where you can cool off with a quick dip or soak your feet in some delicious, cold mountain water.

The iconic Razorback Walk, accessed from the Diamantina Hut just below Mount Hotham, provides some scenic ridge walking with awesome views of the ranges. On a clear day, you can often see the Main Range of Kosciusko NP from the summit of Mount Feathertop.

Beyond Falls Creek there are numerous easy day walks that will take you across the High Plains where you can visit historical cattleman’s huts and maybe catch sight of the brumbies that frequent the area.

Border Bushwalking Club members take a few extra precautions when hiking during the summer months to ensure their safety and comfort. A check of the weather forecast is always first on the list. If extreme weather conditions are forecast or a total fire ban has been declared the planned walk is moved to another location or abandoned.

Our members always pack extra water on hot days to make sure they are well hydrated. An extra water bottle or a full water bladder is included when packing for a hike and some of us carry hydration tablets or powder to add to our water so that we replace the electrolytes we sweat out.

Even at higher elevations, the risk of sun damage is always present, so slather on plenty of sunscreen before heading bush, plonk on a broad-brimmed hat and opt for a light-weight long sleeved shirt.

The warmer weather means snakes are active and for extra protection, many of us wear full-length gaiters just in case we encounter a ‘moving stick’. If you do happen to meet a snake on the track do not attempt to kill it, just back off slowly. All snakes I have had the pleasure to meet usually prove to be anti-social creatures and beat a hasty retreat into the bush. Gaiters are also useful if walking through long grass or heavy underbrush to avoid boots full of grass seeds or a mess of prickles stuck to your hike socks.

Our members also ensure they have a snake bandage in their first aid kits. These are a special compression bandage and are available from outdoor stores and a number of pharmacies. The better ones are designed with markings on them indicating how tightly they should be applied to a limb.

Also on our ‘To Do’ list is making sure we let someone know where we are going and when we expect to return. This may sound pretty basic but it saves a lot of stress and worry if you happen to turn left instead of right. (Mobile phone coverage is not always reliable).

So, don’t let the heat hold you hostage this summer. Take a hike and enjoy the cool mountain scenery that abounds on our doorstep!