Walkers: Diane, Helen, Karen, Linda, Marg and Michael
Photos:
Report:
Remarkably we walked in glorious weather for the six days we hiked on the Overland Track. Our Gore-Tex raincoats, overpants and gaiters remained neatly rolled up at the bottom of our packs.
It was well after 3pm when we reached the junction at Kitchen Hut to make the ascent of Cradle Mountain. We were rewarded by a magical panorama of the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair wilderness from the summit.
Although there were many other hikers on the trail, we generally had the tracks to ourselves and had company at the overnight huts. The tent sites were well used so often we were the only ones sleeping in the huts.
Barn Bluff was scaled with exhilaration by Karen, Michael and Diane.
On reaching the New Pelion Hut ―Oakleigh View‖, we marvelled at the changing mood of the landscape as the sun went down in a colourful blaze, to re-emerge in the mist under multicoloured pastel sky in the morning.
On Sunday we shared the track with athletes competing in the ―Cradle to Coast‖ marathon. As we admired the runners we were happy backpacking the track in our own style. That day Helen and Linda forged ahead, eager to enjoy the refreshing cascades at Kia Ora whilst Karen, Marg, Michael and Di Climbed Mt Ossa for yet another glorious spectacle. We picked out Lake St Clair and Frenchmans Cap (to namedrop a couple of features). On our descent, Di and Michael scampered ahead to to also climb Mt Pelion East.
At Narcissus Hut, Helen and Linda took the IdaClair launch to Cynthia Bay whilst the others continued on to Echo Point where we had the hut to ourselves by the tranquil shore of the lake. In the morning we were up before dawn to make sure that we would be at Cynthia Bay in time to catch the TassieLink bus to Hobart.
We had a marvellous Overland Walk which I will remember for the very good company, sunny weather to capture the beautiful landscape, and the joy of spending those days out there in the Tassie wilderness with my friends. Thank you!
Marg
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