Although I'm fairly new to the forum (posting anyway) I thought I would write up a trip report from my recent excursion through the southern half of the Cradle-Lake St Clair National Park. I took advantage of the last week of perfect weather in the west to essentially walk the southern half of the OT, with a few extras thrown in.
Day one saw me taking the Lee's Paddocks route into Pelion, and although a little longer, it is arguably a more atmospheric way to approach Pelion especially this time of the year - this day the showers were just starting to clear the area and I had some nice views of the lower peaks, including a nice rainbow off Twin Spires.
- Lee's Paddocks
I picked up the "venetian blind" track up through the rainforest to join the Arm River track at the logbook and arrived at Pelion hut a little late (owing to a slow start). It was very quiet - a total of three others in the hut (all locals in from Arm River). Not many Overlanders in the last week of May perhaps unsurprisingly with the fee period almost over.
Day two was the kind of day everyone dreams of the in the mountains - a little low fog burning off around the plains, perfect blue sky and no wind.
- Perfect morning at Pelion
My initial idea was to head through to Kia Ora on this day, climbing Pelion East en route, but with the perfect weather forecast I decided it was a great opportunity for an unmarked high camp. Not wanting to get there too early, I spent the morning pottering around the plains taking photos, before packing up and heading up to Pelion East around lunch time.
There was quite a bit of track work going on at the time - grating has been installed on the lower slopes of Doris and the verandah at Kia Ora has been extended and closed in. As such, there was a lot of helicopter activity this day, with two seperate helicopters dropping supplies off in the Kia Ora area - and at one time one of them passed quite low through the Gap, dwarfed by Ossa.
- Helicopter flying below Ossa
I returned to my pack at the Gap and started the long trek upward - I had deemed that although Pelion East was pretty icy, by the looks of it, my other option had enough hardened snow on the track that is would perhaps be a bit safer footing wise than would normally be the case. Climbing Pelion East beforehand possibly wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had, and by the time I reached the snow line I was pretty exhausted - making the traverse of the final slopes to the top a real ordeal. I arrived at the summit about 15 minutes before sunset and promptly went about melting some ice for my tea...
The views of course were worth it...
- Last rays of light on the Du Cane Range
- Views to Frenchmans
As you would expect it wasn't exactly a warm night - however with no wind and clear skies it was definitely a memorable experience. Unfortunately I have lost my remote shutter release so star trails weren't an option.
- Frost warning
The next morning justified the trip up the mountain and weather wise it was exactly what I was hoping for... whilst those in the huts woke to substantial fog, I got somewhat better conditions...
- Dawn 1
- Dawn 2
- Dawn 3
- Dawn 4
Obviously this moment of the trip would be hard to top (both literally and figuratively) so I spent all morning wandering around the summit plateau, taking plenty of photos and just enjoying the moment. Around 11am I departed for Kia Ora - thinking I've probably deserved a cruisy afternoon in the hut reading and eating chocolate.
End of Part I
(minor edits by site moderator)
