Day 11: 19 April 2019
Our initial Island Traverse route was to take us along the Overland Track including summiting Mount Ossa. This involved paying the full Overland Track fees. After Tim’s cardiac arrest we were able to get refunds on our bookings, and it now seemed rather excessive to pay the full fee if we were going to walk just a short distance. So we started looking for alternative routes.
After returning from a Good Friday combined churches service we decided to commit to the next section – now. We left home at 12:30 pm and rather underestimated how long our car shuffle would take (especially as one of us is rather less confident and much slower driving on dirt roads). It was 2:30 pm before we arrived at the Arm River carpark to begin our next stage. I was rather hesitant to head out so late, but we decided to review our plans at 4:30 pm and turn back if we had not progressed adequately.
We were pleasantly surprised. The old forestry tracks made walking easy, and we strode out faster than we had been walking. Special moments included slipping off the track to enjoy rainforest alongside a gushing creek, and our glimpses of Clumner Bluff.
Tim had checked the maps and predicted that it would be possible to scrub bash between two old tracks west of Lake Rowallan, and it was. In beautiful afternoon light, we walked beside the lake, skirting large puddles on the now disused track. Tim pointed out the spot where 30 years ago, he and a friend Andrew were badly bogged and had to dig out our old Subaru!
We made good progress, only needing headlights for the last couple of kilometres up the road from the Lees Paddock to Moses Creek carpark. A two-hour car shuffle again, under the Easter moon, a quick stop at our local supermarket to grab something for dinner – then we relaxed with an episode of our favourite television series, Call the Midwife.
I (Merran) have found a highlight of our trip so far to catch the many mountain peaks from different angles. It is a mark of time and of the value of each short section in getting us towards our destination. It is also fascinating to see them change, as we approach them one day, walk under them another, then lose sight of them as yet another shields our view. While Tim is nicknamed Mr GPS due to his inherent navigational ability, I struggle to understand the relationships between different places I have visited on separate occasions. Driving into and out of the wilderness gateways then walking through, is starting to give me a deeper understanding of this area, so close to home, yet so remote. I will never look at each place the same again.
As we sat back and reflected on our day, we both commented that we have no desire to travel overseas at the moment. The exploration of our home state on foot, is providing us with a great sense of joy and wonder. We look forward to sharing with you the next stage of our traverse.
