Nele & Andrew Around Oz: December 2011

Day 304 – 17^th December 2011

New Pelion Hut, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS

Day 3 of 8 – Overland Track

Windermere to Pelion Plains (17km, 150m ascent, 240m descent)

Today we walked a long 17km with many muddy sections! It was a foggy start to the day but it soon cleared up offering nice views along the walk. First quick stop was at Forth Valley Lookout before reaching Pine Forest Moor. We had lunch at Frog Flats from where it was another 1h 45min walking to New Pelion Hut. We were happy to reach our destination and sit down. According to Andrew Nele walked like a maimed turtle today. After a relaxing break at the hut we went for a short walk to the Old Pelion Hut and nearby waterhole where Andrew went for a dip and we were able to give our shoes and gaiters a bit of a clean. Back at the hut we had dinner (Beef Teriyaki) and later met the ranger who told us the weather forecast for tomorrow is rain! Not exactly what we wanted to hear as tomorrow’s walk has the climb up Mt Ossa on the itinerary and this is not advised in rainy or cloudy conditions.

Pandemelon

0ff we go

It's a little misty this morning...

... but weather is clearing
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

We love boardwalks!
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Lake Curran
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Walking towards New Pelion Hut

A few up & down sections
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Mt Pelion West
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Resting the back
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

....more ups & downs
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Frog Flats
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Lunch at Frog Flats

Walking towards New Pelion Hut

....more mud
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Andrew might need to clean his boots :-)

Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Turn off to Old Pelion Hut
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Nearly there! Keep going!
Walking towards New Pelion Hut

Yeah, New Pelion Hut in sight

Old Pelion Hut

Creek at Old Pelion Hut

Get in Andrew, stop procrastinating

....see it's not that bad...... a refreshing swim

Mt Oakleigh
Views from New Pelion Hut

Day 303 – 16^th December 2011

Windermere Hut, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS

Day 2 of 8 – Overland Track

Waterfall Valley to Windermere (8km, 80m ascent, 100m descent)

Side Trip: Barn Bluff (8km return, 360m ascent/descent)

Lake Will (3km return, 50m ascent/descent)

This morning we slightly backtracked on the Overland Track to climb Barn Bluff (1559m ASL). An easy start to the climb but soon we were amongst the boulders again (still not Nele’s favourite part). At the top we enjoyed wonderful views back to Cradle Mountain and ahead to Lake Will. Back at Waterfall Valley Hut we decided to move on to the next hut to give us a better chance to have good weather for climbing Mt Ossa in 2 days. So we quickly packed our bags and had lunch. We walked for 1.5h before reaching Lake Holmes where a side tack veers off to Lake Will. We continued further along the lake via a very muddy track to Innes Falls. Back at the main track it started raining slightly so we put on our rainjackets and covers over the backpacks. We continued walking and were glad to arrive at Lake Windermere, indicating the hut wasn’t too far off. We enjoyed a Thai Green Chicken Curry freeze-dry meal for dinner and afterwards went for a walk back to the lake in the hope to spot some wildlife (not much luck). Soon after we hit the sack as we were pretty tired.