Imagine spending a long weekend in the Victorian alpine region pushing your body, overcoming physical challenge, taking in the spectacular sights and breathing in the fresh air. Imagine that huge sense of accomplishment you will experience once you reach the summit of Victoria’s highest mountain.

• Set an exciting fitness goal – 2-day hike up Mount Bogong
• Receive 1on1 health and fitness assessment and custom training & nutrition program
• Be supported over an 6-week build-up training period, including training hikes and group classes
• Improve your health & fitness while working towards a meaningful goal
• Summit one of Australia’s most spectacular peaks
• Make friends, learn a new skill and power up your health and fitness to the next level

Over the labour day weekend in March (7^th – 9^th) a well-trained and mentally prepared group will take off on a two day hiking/camping trip to the summit of Mt. Bogong.

Mt. Bogong is a majestic and tall 1986m mountain located in the Victorian alpine region near Mount Beauty. It’s the highest mountain in Victoria. Departing Melbourne Saturday morning, we travel in organised transportation to the base of Bogong, where we gear-up and begin our hike, following the 9km staircase route to the summit.

Each person carries their own equipment, clothing, food and water – 15-18kg in total. Roughly half way up we reach a hut and campsite where we set up camp, eat a cooked meal and sleep the night. Before dawn the next morning we continue the push up the steep track to the summit, dressed for the chilly fresh air. Not long after sunrise we will reach the highest point in Victoria, enjoying not only the spectacular views but also the huge sense of achievement to reach the top.

Our route off the mountain follows the 10.5km Eskdale Spur, winding it’s way north-east. A slightly less steep track, Eskdale Spur will lead us to a 4wd track and then the carpark. By Sunday evening we will be checked in to accommodation in the nearby town of Mount Beauty. Delicious organic meals, recovery activities and relaxation are in order, until we depart for Melbourne midday Monday. Returning to Port Melbourne no later than 5pm Monday night.

Training Start Date: 28 January 2020

Training Finish Date: 6 March 2020

Mount Bogong Hike: Saturday 7 – Monday 9 March 2020 (departure from Port Melbourne Saturday morning 6.30am, return to Port Melbourne no later than 5pm Monday)

Training Program:

• Initial fitness, health & diet assessment & goal setting session (1on1 with a health & movement specialist)
• Custom training and nutrition program for you to follow for the 6 weeks
• Unlimited outdoor group training classes per week at Edwards Park, Port Melbourne
• 3 x half day hikes on 2 Feb, 16 Feb & 1 Mar
• Nutrition and mountaineering training night on 4 March
• ‘Iceman’ cold climate conditioning and immune support program

Departing Port Melbourne on organised transport 6.30am Monday morning, you will arrive at the base of Mount Bogong by midday. It’s now time to gear-up, put you brave face on and tackle this exciting challenge. This afternoon will be spent putting a good dent in ‘the staircase’ route, which is the most direct approach to the summit. By nightfall we will reach a rescue hut and campsite, where we will set up our tents and enjoy a cooked meal, before bunkering down for a solid night’s sleep. Sunday morning is when things get really exciting. We’re up well before dawn, packing up camp and embarking on the second half of the staircase – by the time we reach the summit shortly after sunrise we will have ascended almost 1400m. The views from Bogong summit – Victoria’s highest peak at 1986m – are breath-taking.

Reaching the summit of Mount Bogong is not an easy feat. Each participant carries their weight to support themselves and the group. Trekking packs will weight 15-18kg – loaded up with tent, sleeping bag, cold weather clothing, food, water and other hiking equipment. The staircase route from the carpark to the summit is only 9km long, however, don’t let the distance mislead you – this route is a real challenge.

The return hike follows a different track. We will travel north-east along Eskdale Spur, a slightly longer route, however less steep. The 10.5km hike winds its way along a ridge, then drops down until reaching the tree line. Once we pass another refuge hut the track then narrows, and we push our way through bush and trees until we arrive at a 4wd track. The hard work is mostly done, and the hike back to the carpark is now relatively flat and fast going. By 5pm we will be checking in to our accommodation in nearby Mount Beauty and enjoying a hot shower and hearty organic meal.

Celebrating after the hike and basking in the bliss of a hard challenge completed can be almost as good as the summit moment itself. A good night sleep in a bed after braving the mountain is going to re-define your idea of heaven.

Monday morning greets you with organic breakfast, a recovery session and lots of relaxing. We depart for Melbourne by 12pm, stopping off for lunch on route. Arrival in Port Melbourne will be no later than 5pm Monday night.

On the hike we will be carrying 15-18kg each in our packs – completely self-sufficient with our own tent, sleeping gear, clothing, hiking equipment, food and water. Most meals are provided on the hike. More details on that below.

A Physical and Mental Challenge - An Opportunity to Learn & Grow

This hike is designed to be a mental and physical challenge, testing your body and demanding proper training and preparation in order to make it through. To be selected to join the group of up to 12 people who will be trained and guided on this adventure you will need to show a willingness to work as a team player, help others and push your personal limits. We will support you throughout your build-up training and on the hike itself, however, ultimately it will be up to you to commit 100%, have a positive attitude, and challenge your own limits.

Hiking Equipment Required (a more detailed list will be provided to participants):

• Hiking boots
• Hiking pants
• Warm jumper, thermal underwear, t-shirts (merino or warm synthetic materials – cotton not recommended)
• 75lt trekking pack (FREE TO HIRE)
• Water-proof jacket (FREE TO HIRE)
• Sleeping bag, inflatable ground mat and alpine 3-seasons tent (FREE TO HIRE)

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

This program is for people who want to improve their health & fitness while working towards a fun and rewarding goal. It’s for those who want to work hard and see significant improvements in lean muscle, body fat, strength and endurance. It’s for those who enjoy being in nature, exploring and want to learn about hiking, camping and alpine expeditions.

AFTER THE HIKE

In the week after the hike you will receive another 1on1 consultation with a health and movement specialist to assess your progress over the 8 weeks and help you with goal setting and a strategy going forward to ensure you keep achieving your health and fitness aspirations.

We will also have a post-summit dinner to celebrate everything you have achieved in the program.

Premium Package $1,595.00

Suited for people who live or work close to Port Melbourne and require full support to prepare them physically and mentally, and arm themselves with the necessary skills for the hike. This is a complete package that will support you through all aspects of your training, nutrition and preparation for the hike, as well as helping you achieve other personal health and fitness goals you may have. All build-up training services as well as the hike itself are included in the price of this package, with the exception of some hiking clothing and meals.

Package includes:

• 1on1 fitness assessment
• 6-week custom training and nutrition program
• Unlimited group training classes each week in Port Melbourne
• 3 x half-day training hikes
• Nutrition and mountaineering training night
• ‘Iceman’ cold climate conditioning and immune support program
• 1-night accommodation in Mount Beauty
• Transportation for the Bogong hike (from/to Port Melbourne)
• Organic meals and snacks for the Bogong hike weekend (except lunch on Saturday and Monday)
• Most hiking equipment – tent, trekking pack, sleeping bag, rain jacket (boots, hiking clothing and other small hiking items aren’t included – eg. head torch, gloves, etc.)

Warrior Package $1,095.00

This package is for those who are already at a good level of fitness, and therefore do not require a custom training program or the group training classes. Participants on this package are still required to take part in the training hikes and the nutrition and mountaineering training night. These activities will ensure you're physically ready, and armed with the necessary skills required for the hike. Some hiking clothes and meals are not included in the package cost. Applicants wanting to purchase this package must be able to prove sufficient levels of fitness and experience.

Package includes:

• 3 x half-day training hikes
• Nutrition and mountaineering training night
• ‘Iceman’ cold climate conditioning and immune support program
• 1-night accommodation in Mount Beauty
• Transportation for the Bogong hike (from/to Port Melbourne)
• Organic meals and snacks for the Bogong hike weekend (except lunch on Saturday and Monday)
• Most hiking equipment – tent, trekking pack, sleeping bag, rain jacket (boots, hiking clothing and other small hiking items aren’t included – eg. head torch, gloves, etc.)

Remote Package $1,395.00

This package will suit those who require build-up training, skills development and support to prepare them for the hike, however, are unable to attend the group training classes each week in Port Melbourne. This package includes everything listed in the program structure, minus the group training classes at Edwards Park. You will still be supported through the program to help prepare you for the hike, as well as helping you achieve other personal health and fitness goals you may have. Some hiking clothes and meals are not included in the package cost.

Package includes:

• 1on1 fitness assessment
• 6-week custom training and nutrition program
• 3 x half-day training hikes
• Nutrition and mountaineering training night
• ‘Iceman’ cold climate conditioning and immune support program
• 1-night accommodation in Mount Beauty
• Transportation for the Bogong hike (from/to Port Melbourne)
• Organic meals and snacks for the Bogong hike weekend (except lunch on Saturday and Monday)
• Most hiking equipment – tent, trekking pack, sleeping bag, rain jacket (boots, hiking clothing and other small hiking items aren’t included – eg. head torch, gloves, etc.)

Ross De Vincentiis

Ross is the founder of Rossfit Personal Training. He loves the great outdoors and revels in challenging his body and mind in extreme conditions. As a soldier in the Australian Army for ten years, deploying to East Timor and the Middle East, Ross certainly got a good dose of adversity.

Returning to civilian life, Ross studied nutrition, holistic health and human movement and has been working as a health and movement coach for the last 10 years. When he’s not at work, he can be found on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu mats or climbing a mountain. He has summited numerous mountains in South America, the Himalayas and Australia, including multiple 6000m+ peaks.

Ruby Fraser

Ruby is an experienced movement specialist with a Bachelor of Sports Science. She’s a keen hiker who has guided her clients up mountains in Australia and the Himalayas. Her knowledge in human movement is beyond most coaches, so not only will you be supported by her as a guide, you’ll be in safe hands through your build-up training too.