Category: Travel

Thredbo in summer is a hive of activity, however it doesn’t take long to get off the beaten track and out into the “high alpine” plains, where the views stretch on, and on… Below in the relative shelter of the Thredbo River valley, wildflowers lined the trail.

Tormented by the guide book, we took to the trail on the final morning determined to cover the last 18km that separated us from hot chips and beer. A slight miscalculation that heaped all our trail mix in one bag, the absence of a spot for lunch and a bitingly cold wind driving up the pace in a bid to keep warm conspired to cause two hypos, and tarnish what was a beautiful day… Divine intervention came late that night in Hobart, in the form of a pizza delivery man…

Leaving Pine Valley hut and returning to the Overland proper the trail meanders out towards Lake St Clair. Those pressed for time take the boat from the top end of the lake, circumventing the final 18km of track… the guidebook cheerily stating “…opting for the boat, most walkers don’t finish the Overland Track…” 

From Pine Valley hut the path heads further into the remote wilderness, towards the ominously named Labyrinth, neatly spanning as many contour lines as is reasonable without ropes. The Labyrinth is designated “Remote Wilderness Area” and provides for an awe inspiring vista…

Snow! Not just on the ground either, day five started off with little cloud but as the day drew on the clouds came in. Then the snow began to fall as we left the comfort of the main trail and headed up into Pine Valley…

After 24 kilometers the previous day, the balcony of New Pelion Hut was an attractive proposition, especially given the view (above). There was however, a mountain to climb…

With the temperature plummeting overnight, day two began with a frosted boardwalk, taking us away from Waterfall Valley Hut and further into the Wilderness. Brilliant blue skies and crisp air and panoramic views made for a stunning morning…

Day one began with the gentle path steadily turning skywards, then disappearing altogether under a blanket of snow. Snow that was, in some places, thick enough to lose an entire left leg in. Camp was made at Waterfall Valley Hut, at which point a lack of cutlery was discovered, and a spoon procured from some young Queenslanders walking the opposite direction.

to be continued…

The National Pass Loop in the Blue Mountains is a little hilly, this coupled with flat light and dense forest left me wondering if I should have left my camera at home… One photo however, is all it takes to justify the weight.

 

The Coastal Track skirts the cliff tops overlooking the sea on the western edge of the Royal National Park. We walked the trail over two days, catching a ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena to begin the walk, then camping south of Garie beach overnight.