The Southern Ranges were out other big trip planned for this summer. We had a rough start; being yelled at by another walker who wasn't interested in talking at Pigsty Ponds, followed by some average weather and some very nasty gastro for my partner. Thankfully our enforced rest meant that the weather cleared, and we had an absolute ball for the rest of the week. Walking Prion crossing to South Cape Rivulet on Christmas day was tough, but worth it when we got out in time for lunch in Hobart the following day! A couple of beautiful sunsets along the range, including one from the calmest night I have ever had in a tent, at high camp on PB of all places! Magic.
Started with a family trip to Mystery Creek Cave
Evidence of the recent fire on the way up Moonlight Ridge
Beautiful open walking along past hills 1-4
Descending to Pigsty Ponds
Descending La Perouse. We climbed this from Reservoir Lakes on our second day. It took us about 5 hours return, with my partner having to make "rest" stops every 20-30 mins. Still not sure what gave her the gastro. I also got it, but in a much more mild form. Neither of us ate much this day.
South coast including Prion Beach from Pindars
Sunset from Wylly Plateau. Another beautiful, settled night.
Morning light on Mt Victoria Cross the following day.
PB and Kameruka Moraine. The track really wasn't as scrubby as we had thought it would be. Well, let me re-phrase that - it was scrubby as all get out, but there was a great pad/track underneath at all times, making progress fairly simple. Without the pad, it would have been some seriously hard going. Hats off to those who did it without the pad. Kameruka was just irritating at times as there was a lot of crossing and re-crossing the ridge, but it was made up for by the feeling of PB becoming palpably closer.
Treated to one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life up on top of PB. Sea fog rolled in up all the valleys, some nice cloud in the sky and a grandstand view of the SW. Not bad.
Still a few more I haven't gotten to yet from the wade down the lagoon (ankle deep, for the most part) and the trip out the SCT (not too muddy), so I may add a few to this thread as I get around to them. Tried to use bigger photos this time too. Thanks for looking!