THE OVERLAND TRACK
So.
It's done. One of my dreams since I first came to Australia. To walk the overland track in Tasmania (one of the top 5 walks in the world). In total, we (my friends Beau, Amber and tom) hiked 80.5km over 6 days. The last 29km were all done during the last day. It may not seem too much but remember that the hike goes over Cradle Mountains and sometimes (especially the some of the sidetracks) would take over 2 hrs to complete although they were only 2km.
During the first day, the only think I could think was "o gosh". My pack, which I will burn in the Brazilian BBQ in our backyard for being so bad, weight initially 16 kg. All foods were dehydrated and packed in zip lock bags, so you'd only have to add water to it. Also had a lot of chocolate, musli and protein bars, dried fruit and carrots.
About 20 min into the hike on day 1. Offered a steep uphill and sunshine.
Learned so much by doing the hike though. Just from mistakes and by observing others (only a maximum of 30 people can start the track during the same day during high season). We did see other people in the huts, but generally, during the walks, it wasn't too bad. Sometimes, we would walk a whole day without meeting anyone else.
I could keep writing forever about this incredible trip, but that might be boring. So I'm just gonna do a short version and upload some pictures.
Distance: 80.5km
Time: 6days (walking time ............)
Highlights:
1. Mine and Tom's side trip to Mt Ossa (Tasmanias highest peak of 1617m). Almost decided to skip this sidetrip as it was windy and pissing down, but decided to give it a go. After a few 100 meters up, it was pure blue sky, and amazingly beautiful. Think something in style with Granma's garden. Perfectly shaped flower arrengements (by nature itself ofcourse), birds and butterflies. Me and Tom felt as if we were the main characters in the sound of music. Getting closer to the top, we had snowfall in the middle of the aussie summer.
2. The waterfalls (especially D'Altons and Fergussons)
3. Tea and miso soup in the evenings.
4. Sunset at 9.30pm.
5. My winter gloves as I spontaniously invested in just before the shuttle bus took us up in the mountains. They saved my fingers more than once!
6. Baby joey in mums pocket.
Me next to Crater lake, day 1. A bit of board walk on the track, and Fergusson's waterfall (day 4).
Joey <3
Me and Tom singing the hills are alive to the sound of music on our way up to Mt Ossa, Tom rolling a snowball at the top, the peak just behind us, and me finding snow in the aussie summer.
Spotted:
One echidna, two wombats, numerous of wallabees and joeys and two extremely rare eastern quoll (also called native cat).
One echidna, two wombats, numerous of wallabees and joeys and two extremely rare eastern quoll (also called native cat).
Downfalls:
1. The second day of our hike, it was so windy and the rain was falling as never before. Freezing cold and three ours of pure hell.
2. Constantly wet socks and boots.
Drying socks and mobile phones in front of the heater (back in Lake St Claire), Me and Beau at the edge of forth valley lookout (day 3), Tasmanian waranth, miso soup time in the hut.
Weather and temperature:
Went through everything. Mainly rain, but also a few rare occasions of sun, wind, mus, hail and snow. Generally the T shifted between 5-25 degrees. One night (inside the hut) the T was down on 7 and even after putting all clothes on, it was still freezing.
Went through everything. Mainly rain, but also a few rare occasions of sun, wind, mus, hail and snow. Generally the T shifted between 5-25 degrees. One night (inside the hut) the T was down on 7 and even after putting all clothes on, it was still freezing.
Undefined waterfalls.
Group shot at Fergussons waterfall, an exhausted me somewhere 12km from the end of the journey, Beau, Amber and Tom and me washing my feet for the first time on day 4 ;)
On the suspension bridge over Narcissus river, Tom being crazy, Tom practicing his yoga and me taking a look of the forld from another perspective.
For next time:
Dont pack a bikini when hiking in tasmania during summer, bring more soup and tea, bring condensed milk, your feet will always be wet but they warm up after 20 min of hiking, a walking stick is essential, bring cards and a book.
Dont pack a bikini when hiking in tasmania during summer, bring more soup and tea, bring condensed milk, your feet will always be wet but they warm up after 20 min of hiking, a walking stick is essential, bring cards and a book.
Me and Amber at Marioons lookout.
Me holding on to a rock on the way op to the peak of Cradle Mountain.
As you understand. I can just go nuts with the pictures, there are so many and the journey was incredible. It sets your mind free and you can just be...
Back to civilazation, and after the first shower in 7 days, me and Tom are celebrating our achivements with a Ginger beer at the local pub (while Beau and Amber were lazy enough to catch the ferry the last 20km of the walk).
What else can I say. If you ever get the chance....DO IT!
