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Showing posts from October, 2017

Shadow Lake 2016

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12-14 April 2016 We had a few days kept free for a walk and, as it was the first one for Sue since her eye troubles, we decided not to overdo the April  pack carrying by choosing Shadow lake as the camping location. It was most satisfying that the weather was predicted to be really good giving us encouragement to go. On the drive to Lake St Clair we made a few geocaching diversions and then set off after lunch for Shadow Lake. The weather went as predicted and our middle day was just superb as was the scenery during a circuit walk of Mount Rufus. The valley from Shadow Lake to the Hugely Rufus saddle is wonderful and made all the more so in sunny calm conditions. The circuit took 6:30 hours for the 13.7k and we did think that the trees grown since the devastating fires of the 1960’s were now big enough to hide a lot of the dead stuff of which some trunks would also now have fallen. The walk through the forest on the connecting track brought us past a huge and impressive eucalypt.

Lake Skinner

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Friday 27 October 2017 Lake Skinner This trip was the first time on the upgraded track to Lake Skinner and the wet and muddy spots now have timber to cross over them.  It is a mixture of long vertical split logs and short split log cording put down sideways; a traditional method used by Environment Tasmania when the organisation did the upgrade in 2015. Despite now being able to avoid the mud, we took longer than before get to lake Skinner.  However, the day was pleasantly warm and sunny very little wind and the forest was delightful. Lake Skinner consequently was about as nice as it gets. One irritant was a party of young people who brought a dog with them, which of course is not permitted. As we departed the dog must have seen us and barked loudly, giving both of us quite a startle. Lake Skinner shoreline Time in 2h Time out 1:45   Distance 3.5k each way  total 7k More Photos here

Pinestone Valley 2017

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15 - 18 October 2017 It now takes a bit longer to get to Pinestone Valley than once and I feel sure it that is somewhat more tiring as well.  Nevertheless, the destination was reached. The track up from arm River now winds its way up via a series of zig zags, making for a much less steep ascent.  The track into the valley under Mount Pillinger was used and we climbed the mountain on the way through to a camp at Wurragarra Creek. It was calm and sunny and there was an added privilege to see an eagle at close range.  The route up was different from my memory as it goes up to a plateau on the eastern side and I had walked across it from Lake McCoy in 2013 and wondered why we came upon a pad and a sawn log; not realising it was the actual Pillinger track. Mount Pillinger In fine weather we left Wurragarra soon after 8AM and made it down to Pelion hut, disturbing two Tiger Snakes on the way; our third for trip so far.  However, we were all found it an effort getting to Peli

The Day I Lost Sue and Christine

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Heathy Hills Tuesday 10 October 2017 This was my third trip to Heathy Hills and after visiting the arch the plan was to work a way to the top of the ridge on the south side of the cliff and cave lined valley. Caves southern side of gully Crossing the Jordan River wasn’t expected to be a problem, but on arrival on the banks, I was reminded that I hadn’t told people they had to make a river crossing. Sue and Christine found the best way over whilst Neville decided to go over bare foot. All went to plan until just before reaching the arch, at which point Neville and I headed directly up whilst Dave followed some markers leading to the other side of the arch area. Sue and Christine decided to follow Dave, then decided the way we went did look better.  But I didn’t look back and was unaware of this, at the time I turned sharply to the right to arrive at the arch a few minutes later. It was soon after Dave arrived that we realized that Sue and Christine were nowhere in sig

Caves Hill Oct 2017

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Sunday 1 October 2017 This is a half day walk and we varied it from the previous visit.  Still up the reasonably new contouring ascent track, which still ends at a steep 4wd below Caves Hill.  Instead of climbing from Seager Saddle we followed the rough vehicle track to the saddle on the east side followed by the short ascent to the top from there. After a wander about the cliffs it was down the eroding track on the south side to join Faggs Gully and on to complete the loop. Sandstone overhang Rocky Tom Caves Hill Boronia anemonifolia Rocky top of the cliffs Silver Wattles Acacia dealbata Pompodaris and wattles behind Distance:  7.07 km     Average speed: 2.93 km/h     Avg. moving speed:   3.13 km/h Total ascent:   307 m             Total descent: 316 m              Total time:      2:24:49.0         Moving time:  2:14:37.0