Mt Barney - South ridge

A trip to the saddle and hut site via South ridge, observing the route and its features. Ascent and descent.
Winter 2021 # : South ridge to the rainforest saddle.
Walking conditions : Tracks, footpads and scrambles.
Walk length : Approximately 15 km. 800m elevation gain.
Weather : Partially cloudy and cool.
Notes : While it contains its own minor challenges, South ridge is a fairly gentle but longer route to the summit areas of Mt Barney. This ridge contains all the groundwork for the other ridges, which are harder, and is a good choice for a first attempt on the mountain. The route is long because we must first walk to the south side of the mountain from the east (4 km).South ridge is a good route for overnight packs, as the rainforest saddle at the top of the ridge is a camping area (Barney Saddle - Rum Jungle).
No summit is reached in this video, the closest vantage point is the peak of South ridge, passed at the shoulder section (1150m).
In descent, it is best to be off the actual mountain before nightfall, but the foothill tracks (4wd) can be easily walked with just a phone torch. There is no reception in the foothills, so use phones before then.
Mt Barney has had its share of misfortune in the past, so with the long distances over rugged terrain, and the huge elevations involved, it is best not to underestimate the mountain.
That said, Mt Barney is also a place of absolute magnificence, providing a
wonderful experience for many.

0:00 Beginning
0:33 Track head to the Rainforest gully
1:43 Gully to the lower ridge
2:11 Lower ridge to the first rocks
3:09 First rocks to slab and crack
4:00 Crack to awkward block
4:21 Block to The Staircase
5:24 Staircase to a knoll
5:50 Knoll to lower clearing
6:21 Lower clearing to higher clearing
7:49 Higher clearing to Perched rock
10:00 Perched rock to shoulder
10:55 Shoulder to Rum Jungle saddle
11:56 Saddle to hut site
12:41 Drone shots and stuff
14:10 Hut site to shoulder
14:34 Shoulder to perched rock
14:50 Perched rock to higher clearing
15 :20 Higher clearing to lower clearing
15:49 Lower clearing to lower ridge
17:56 Lower ridge to track head
18:11 Ending