Day 79 Mt.Cradle to Lake St.Clair National Park.2 (2008.02.01)

We start to walk along the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain (800m above sea level). It is high and steep and we have to climb up to 1200m above sea level. I carry about 18kg backpack, the equipments are quite heavy. It's bec we have to prepare for all climate - 25c at daytime, 5c at night, sometimes raining, thunderstorming and snowing at the top of mountain even in summer.

From my observation, the overland track is the easiest way and the valley between the steep and high mountain crests. Actually not so easy as we think.
The distance and the time of the walk for each day was designed, normally is 10-25km per day. It depends on the difficulty for that part of the track. There is some camping sites and the huts constructed on each end point. Also, there is a lot of side track provided for professional walkers. The side tracks are usually attractive bec. it's challenging and we can see a beautiful scenic view on the top of crest.

Day 1

Ronny Creek - Waterfall Valley
Mt. Cradle Summit (side track)

The 1st day hiking is most difficult part bec. our backpack are most heavy and the steep slope is aweful. We walk to the mountain and feel little exhausted. Put off my backpack at the starting point of Mt. Cradle Summit(1545m). It's steep climb over scree. If we climb up to top of the summit, we can see the full view of Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake,...etc. But acutally it's very cloudy and cold whcih cannot the direction pole at the place 100m below the crest. Thus, we eventually give up. Take a short break, take some pictures and then return.

There is beautiful scenic view, soft glassland in Waterfall Valley camping site and windy climate.

Ronny Creek

Dove Lake

Mt. Cradle Summit

(like the situation after aircrash !!)

Mt. Cradle Summit

Elton, Vicky & Daman(Leader)

Mt.Emmett (outside camping site)

Mt.Emmett (sunset)