MELB WEST / GEELONG - MC - You Yangs - East West Loop

MELB WEST - MC - You Yangs - East West walk

Come and join me on my favourite walk of the You Yangs where we will enjoy panoramic views of the landscape from Geelong to Melbourne! This walk circumnavigates Flinders Peak, the highest point of the You Yangs, so we will get to enjoy great views in every direction. 

The track is fairly steep in parts and uphill at the start, but it gets easier as we get further along. There is also a bit of rock scrambling along the way, but as always we'll take it slow and help each other along the way!

**NOTE** This is listed as a More Challenging hike due to the terrain which has hills and rock scrambling. As always, we will take our time, stopping for water breaks and photos as needed, and we will ensure nobody gets left behind - there will always be a Leader at the end of the group. The loop takes approximately 2.5 hours, and we will walk at the pace of the slowest person. This is a great hike to try if you feel that you're ready to attempt a More Challenging hike - please feel free to contact me with any specific questions about your suitability of doing this hike.

Escaping Your Comfort Zone is Body Positive Adventures for women and non-binary crew. The outdoors doesn't care about your size, your speed or your fitness, and neither do we! 100% body positive, no focus on weight loss. Just having fun in the outdoors, because we can! 

Hike Leader: Ellie - I drive a red Mazda 2 sedan and will wait by the information board in my EYCZ T-shirt and leader lanyard.

Important COVID Information - please review the latest COVID information that applies to this hike

Hike Rating: More Challenging (refer to Hike Ratings for details)

• This hike is on wide, well-formed, marked trails, 450 stairs and is quite steep. There is approximately 200 metres of incline/decline over a short distance.
• The trail is mostly compacted gravel, sand or dirt, with few small obstacles and lots of stairs
• We will walk for 2.5-3hrs in total, with tons of drink and breather stops.
• Some hiking experience is recommended due to the incline. The hike will always paced at the slowest in the group, to ensure no one is left behind.

Please contact me if you have any specific questions or concerns! 0425858212

Kids: This walk is suitable for kids who can comfortably walk at adult pace for 1.5-2hrs at an incline with little complaint

Dogs: Well behaved dogs are welcome, if they are fit enough, and must be kept on a short lead at all times, with poo picked up if required.  You must carry poo bags and a way for doggo to access water. This walk does warm up if it’s sunny so if you have any doubts of pooch’s ability, probably better to leave that good boi or girl at home.

Accessibility: This hike is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams

What to bring

• Hand sanitiser
• Water - at least 1 Litre More if its hot.
• Wear comfortable exercise clothing, and layers are great as you can add and remove as you get hot or cold. Any comfortable shoes with laces will be fine.
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Bring a light, waterproof raincoat if you have one and rain is forecast.
• First aid kit, including any medications you might need, such as asthma puffers and antihistamines. Your health is your responsibility. Please alert the leader to the location of your medication (if you are carrying any).
• Emergency Contact/Medical Details form  Please print out and fill in a copy of this form before your attend any EYCZ event, and leave it in your pack.  If you can't access a printer, please simply write the details on a plain piece of paper, and put it in a ziplock bag in the top of your pack.  Any medications you are carrying should be stored in the same section of your pack.
• Poles are not required but they are recommended if you have them as the walk down at the end can be harsh on the knees.

Other key information:

• For safety reasons, we ask all participants to reverse park where possible, for easy exit in case of an emergency (and easy access in the event of a flat battery)
• There are drop toilets at the start/end of hike, or if you arrive early enough there’s flush toilets at Big Rock if you pull into that car park before continuing up to the meeting point.

I look forward to seeing you join us!

Cheers

Ellie (0425858212)