Strollers Scout Lodge walk

[Taurë-rana]

After missing the deadline for a lift on Friday night with sthuges and co, I packed ready for an early start on Saturday morning. At 5.30am the alarm went off and I didn't jump out of bed, just listened to the thunder and torrential rain then went back to sleep. Determined not to be put off however, after putting the effort in to get packed, I tried again later in the morning when the weather didn't seem quite so bad and managed to get myself on the way. I drove up to Cradle in the pouring rain, then walked up to the Hut, still in pouring rain. What a relief to get inside to a friendly greeting from corvus who had (wisely in my opinion) elected not to go up to Crater Peak to look at the beautiful view of the fog that everyone else got.
Lunch over, most people decided to walk down to the Visitor centre and have a coffee but having just walked up that hill, I was in no hurry to go back down it so I set my sights on a trip up Cradle. The weather seemed to be clearing, and sthughes looked at his phone and said that the rain had gone so I set off in hope - in the rain again, but it passed and the clouds started lifting. By the time I reached the top of Marigold Valley, Barn Bluff was poking its head out of the clouds, and Cradle was clear. By Kitchen Hut, Barn Bluff had retreated behind the fog again, and the clouds were building up. With many prayers to Huey to just hold the clouds back long enough for me to get to the summit, I set off as fast as I could up the rather a lot steeper than I remembered climb. Going through the saddle 10 min from the top I was rewarded with lovely views behind Cradle, but still entreating Huey I pushed on towards the summit which was clear when I reached it. Down below, however, was dense cloud which raced up the cliff as I watched, to hide the view and start weaving itself around the rocks. I moved away to have a brief rest looking at the view over the back but soon decided that discretion was the better part of valour and started my retreat before the mist became thick fog. I arrived back at the Hut at the same time as the coffee drinkers.
Although corvus had fired up the Barby, the group had other ideas with various drinks and nibblies being brought out and people settling in for some serious relaxing. At this point seakar, strewth and a friend turned up, (apparently after following a long route from the Tamar Valley which included the Hellyer Gorge), and added to the alcohol and snacks and general frivolity. Eventually we had our BBQ and the evening continued with much talk, laughter and song. The singing may have gone better if anyone could have remembered the words to any of the songs so it was suggested by a few that we take songbooks next time. There were some good singers among the group who made up for the rest of us.
The night was fairly uneventful other than someone falling out of bed which he obviously found very entertaining, and most of us were not up very early in the morning other than Dafna who left to go on the Overland Track.
After packing up and cleaning the hut, seakar, strewth, strewth's friend and I decided to go the long way back to the carpark and had a pleasant day in clear weather going up the Horse Track, along the Face Track, down past Lake Wilks and along the Dove Lake Circuit track. Arriving back at the carpark we decided to have a coffee before we went home so went to Cradle Mountain Lodge where the coffee progressed to dinner which was a perfect way to end the weekend.
Thanks to everyone who went for making it a great weekend.

[geoskid]

Good stuff, sounds like a typical fun Strollers gathering. Also typical - shame about the weather, hope it did'nt dampen the spirits (or wine) too much.

[corvus]

Good stuff, sounds like a typical fun Strollers gathering. Also typical - shame about the weather, hope it did'nt dampen the spirits (or wine) too much.

It was your type of weekend geoskid next time eh!. I have locked into my brain now not to use the bunk that has a 150mm mattress overhang ,not quite enough to retain my weight as I turned around so it folded and I slid out ,stupid thing is it happened to me once before .
I will look at the Lodge bookings for next year and see what we can come up with ( a Winter trip perhaps) if anyone is intersrested.
corvus

[Taurë-rana]

I have locked into my brain now not to use the bunk that has a 150mm mattress overhang ,not quite enough to retain my weight as I turned around so it folded and I slid out ,stupid thing is it happened to me once before . corvus

You obviously didn't spend the night worrying about falling out of bed, at least not before it happened! I like sleeping on top bunks, but these ones are a wee bit narrow, even for me.

I will look at the Lodge bookings for next year and see what we can come up with ( a Winter trip perhaps) if anyone is intersrested.
corvus

Sounds good to me.

[Ent]

Hi All and sundry Strollers and other.

Great weekend to check out a top hut and special thanks to Corvus for the organisational drive. Looking forward to the next one. The weather put a dampener on much walking but good to test out wet weather gear and see that Pomysi is human and not a fan of standard safety wet weather gear for walking up mountains. As usual for a Stroller event carried to much, ate more than I should and lets not forget the wine.

It was good fun to do a night walk up from Ronnie Creek and shows a decent head lamp is a thing of joy proving not to foggy and you have an idea where you are going plus good signage. Having the destination lit up like a Christmas tree helps.

We definitely need a music instrument and lyrics plus maybe a list of generational open songs. As for singing voices things have not changed since grade seven when my music teacher recommended "Sound of Silence" best suited for my voice.

Anyway here are a few pictures and I will post the remainder later when I have completed brawling with Picasso. Thanks for the company to all those attended, especially the more than for one night group.

Cheers Brett

Attachments

Just have to admire the view.

Oh to be as fit and cheerful

Ronnie Creek and coffee to come

[geoskid]

Good stuff, sounds like a typical fun Strollers gathering. Also typical - shame about the weather, hope it did'nt dampen the spirits (or wine) too much.

It was your type of weekend geoskid next time eh!. I have locked into my brain now not to use the bunk that has a 150mm mattress overhang ,not quite enough to retain my weight as I turned around so it folded and I slid out ,stupid thing is it happened to me once before .
I will look at the Lodge bookings for next year and see what we can come up with ( a Winter trip perhaps) if anyone is intersrested.
corvus

Haha - I was wondering who it was that fell out of bed, damn, I should have put money on it! Hope you bounced OK
Next year sounds good

[geoskid]

Was wondering who the Newbie in fluoro orange was - then realised it was Pomysi being the perfect gentleman that he is

[corvus]

Good stuff, sounds like a typical fun Strollers gathering. Also typical - shame about the weather, hope it did'nt dampen the spirits (or wine) too much.

It was your type of weekend geoskid next time eh!. I have locked into my brain now not to use the bunk that has a 150mm mattress overhang ,not quite enough to retain my weight as I turned around so it folded and I slid out ,stupid thing is it happened to me once before .
I will look at the Lodge bookings for next year and see what we can come up with ( a Winter trip perhaps) if anyone is intersrested.
corvus

Haha - I was wondering who it was that fell out of bed, damn, I should have put money on it! Hope you bounced OK
Next year sounds good

Twas only a small roll

[lyndoor]

Sounds like you all had a lot of fun. What happened to Penguin? It has been my experience that he is a font of musical & lyrical wisdom!!! Thoroughly enjoyed his assistance at Scott-Kilvert!

I was at the other end of the State trying to unsuccessfully make attempts at the circuit at Freycinet. Bad choice. Rained cats & bl%#dy dogs the whole weekend!

Look forward to our next adventure...

lyndoor

[dafnuna]

Hi guys,

I enjoyed both the hike to Van Dyke (well, even though it was raining... it was an interesting adventure) and the nights at Scout Lodge! It was great meeting you all - you made me buy expensive things and carry too much stuff (probably picked that from Brett...)

I finished the Overland today - 5 days without rain (!) and even had 3 sunny days (!!!).
And I did walk to Pelion Hut on the first day, and had time to stop and look at the view! Climbed Mt Okland and Ossa, went to Labyrinth with lots of energy until the 4 day - found out I was sick

But safe and lucky, though not very healthy - finished the walk and reached Hobart quickly! Getting well for the next adventures...!

Hope to join you more in the future (maybe I'll move to NZ! That will make things easier...)
Dafna

[Ent]

any photos?? =D

You will notice the absence of panoramic views due to Stroller weather But here is my set.

http://picasaweb.google.com/brussell237/ScottHut#

http://picasaweb.google.com/brussell237/ScottHut02#

Cheers Brett

[Taurë-rana]

Some nice photos there Brett. It's a pity I don't have a camera so couldn't take photos to show you what the view is actually like from Crater Peak You must have taken the Strollers' weather to the coffee shop with you.
The wildflowers were certainly spectacular throughout the area.

[sthughes]

Yeah thanks for a nice weekend guys. My pictures are here: http://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/simonthughes/Scout%20Hut%20November%202009/?albumview=slideshow

[Ent]

Hi Simon

Top image quality. Does the new camera take "raw" format or only JPEG. Now where is the number for Jenny Craig again

Cheers Brett

[Julafreak]

It was great meeting you all - you made me buy expensive things and carry too much stuff (probably picked that from Brett...) :wink

mmmmm... I wonder why my moolahs disappear faster than usual ever since I started walking. Hey Brett, before I left Tassie, I manage to get my hands on one of those stove. I think its the same as yours.. Kovea titanium?

I will look at the Lodge bookings for next year and see what we can come up with ( a Winter trip perhaps) if anyone is intersrested.

You can count me in already.. all the fun I missed out, I'll be damned if I go home again during the winter break.

[Ent]

Hey Brett, before I left Tassie, I manage to get my hands on one of those stove. I think its he same as yours.. Kovea titanium?

Yeap that be the same as mine. Great little gas stoves so with proper care should serve you a long time. Yes be great to do Scout Hut in winter, arh a hut in snow, something to be treasured

Cheers Brett

[flyfisher]

arh a hut in snow, something to be treasured

Thats's for sure Brett, wifey and I had a shack at Great Lake for over 20 years.(alas gone now due to an illness) and we just loved it up there in the snow, with the wood heater purring, and some good food and beverages.

ff

[strewth]

hey guys, sorry i have been a bit quiet recently, been having fun with a certain seakar - !
next time we come on a walk it wont be such a detour, he has relocated his floating gin palace to the Tamar River, handy eh? have boat will travel!

until the next time.....

love the strewth xx

[Ent]

Great to hear from you Strewth. Now what about a Stollers' sail, hint, hint, hint

Cheers Brett

[Taurë-rana]

Great to hear from you Strewth. Now what about a Stollers' sail, hint, hint, hint

Cheers Brett

I second that idea, just the thing for summer. I'm glad you two are getting along well Strewth, just goes to show that you never know what (or who) is round the corner.

Did anyone find a stray pair of grey overgloves in their pack after the Scout Lodge weekend? Mine definitely went missing.

Cheers TR

[sthughes]

No, but I'm missing a brand new pair of black Seal Skinz gloves if anyone has seen them. Strange thing is I can't even recall them leaving the house!

New name DA/TR/R? How do you pronounce that!

[Son of a Beach]

New name DA/TR/R? How do you pronounce that!

There's a few suggestions here.

[Taurë-rana]

Taurë-rana - Towray rarna (as near as I can work out anyway, never actually heard it spoken) ILUVSWTAS pronounces it Elf-lady
I haven't seen your gloves.

[sthughes]

New name DA/TR/R? How do you pronounce that!

There's a few suggestions here.

Ahh I had totally missed that topic! Bullfrog sounds good to me

[Taurë-rana]

[corvus]

Sorry cannot help with the gloves and I did double check the Lodge before leaving and dont recall seeing any.
corvus

[Taurë-rana]

Thanks corvus, very strange! I definitely had them up there, unlike sthughes who can't remember his leaving the house! I wore them up there on the Saturday morning so I don't know if they fell out somewhere when I climbed Cradle in the afternoon, but I don't think so.