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The long road to the deep south

Scotts Peak Dam Road

Day 21: 1 December 2019

Our initial plan was to take the last 2 days of our Maydena trip to walk Scott’s Peak Dam Road to Huon Campsite, the start of the Port Davey Track.  We decided, however, to aim for the full 37 km in one day – not so much because we love the walking, but to save driving our cars for a second long car shuffle.  (And also the chance to sleep in tomorrow). We had already clocked up over 80 km in 3 days so a big day today would make a total of about 117 km in the 4 days – great preparation for the final 2 weeks of our pilgrimage traverse of the island.

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Adamsfield and the Sawback Track

Day 20: 29 November 2019

We have looked forward to this stage since scouting it out last year.  Some serious off-track navigation was required through the rugged southwest of the state.  And it did not disappoint.  A 26.7 km day covering a multitude of environments – spectacular deep rainforest, tea tree and wildflower-covered mountain slopes, button grass, the occasional swamp, some challenging river crossings, and patches of the ever-familiar dry sclerophyll forest.  Even the weather shared the variety; a cold start at 3 degrees (gloves and beanies), sunny and warm at times (off with the jackets), and two or three rain showers with the requisite sou’westerly cold wind (back on with our waterproofs).  All in all, a great day and one to remember.

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Staying Alive Party

24 November 2019

Today marked a year since Tim’s cardiac arrest on the side of Mount Roland. Tim decided he wanted to celebrate the day by firing up the pizza oven and inviting the people who saved his life – the French family, ambulance officers, and SES personnel. Family and close friends joined us.

Unbeknownst to Tim, Barbie arranged for a presentation of a certificate and pin commemorating twelve months’ survival following an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

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Down the lake

The Lake St Clair Track

Day 14: 29 September 2019

We began the morning in fairly heavy rain at Bert Nicholls Hut (Windy Ridge). This meant a very wet tent and all our rain gear on. Only a km or so down the track the rain eased to light intermittent showers which continued the rest of the day. Most other groups were heading for the ferry due at 1.00 pm at Narcissus so had headed off a little earlier than us. We soon caught up with a group of three families from Canberra who had initially welcomed us at Kia Ora. We enjoyed walking with them through to Narcissus.

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Through the Paddocks

Day 12: 27 September 2019

I (Tim) have been to Lee’s Paddocks many times over the years so there was a lot to reminisce about as we walked the 10 kilometres alongside the Mersey River to the string of private property titles nested inside the Cradle Mountain National Park.  We had ended our last walk at the new suspension bridge and had not walked much over the winter (for a variety of reasons).  Now in Spring, and 5 months later, it was great to be back on the track putting another few stages down.  This was the first multi-day walk carrying a full pack since my second round of surgery in June.  I was really looking forward to it.  Even with a rather challenging route planned. 

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