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| Anne & Rob at Dove Lake |
We arrive at Cradle Mountain with driving rain and the temperature was 4° with a wind chill of 10 so it felt like -6° ! Visibility minimal. Rob's turn to have a whinge - I wasn't having any of it so he rang a trusted friend to have a bit of de-brief. I was determined to do the Summit and was prepared to stay in the area until we got a good day to do so. It was freezing though and a down side to our set up is that unless you are in bed then you are out in the weather. Thank goodness for the wonderful fire place and camp kitchen at our camp spot which made it so much more comfortable.
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| Dove Lake |
Next morning the sun is shining ("How 'tin-arse' can this girl be"? - Rob's comment) absolutely beautiful day no wind - the best day they've had for months according to staff at the visitors centre. We got away early with our packed lunch and water supply and headed for Cradle Mountain summit (1545m). We started our hike from beautiful Dove Lake
beneath the towering spires of Cradle Mountain and head for Marions Lookout a steep climb but the views were worth it!
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| Marions Lookout |
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| Anne nearing the summit |
Now for the summit climb; and what a climb! I was wishing I had a few more inches as I dangled looking for foot holds as we pulled ourselves up over the rock face. Now I know why rock climbers have those knee pads sewn in their trousers (my poor old knees and elbows had a few nice bruises by the end of the day). I don't like to skite (ohh OK maybe I do), it felt pretty good to be able to make the climb especially as so many turned back down the track. A fellow climber who is into his rock climbing classed the climb as a grade 10 - I'm not sure what that means but you know you have worked believe me!
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| Made it! (Barn Bluff behind) |
The views were majestic and the country beautiful. It's hard to believe but even at this altitude you look around and see glorious alpine plants poking through the granite boulders.
After some lunch at the top we decide to make the most of this perfect windless day and track back along the cliff face incorporate a couple of other walks on the way back - the Face Track and Lake Rodway via Hansons peak and the artist pools a bit tricky in parts, especially towards the end of the day as we were pretty tired but well worth it!
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| Alpine Daisies |
We passed by alpine lakes, cushion plants, alpine daisies, open forests, myrtle rainforests dripping with life and historic huts along the way.
Arrived back exhausted had a late dinner and crashed.....
Next day we were both a little sore and decided to do some of the shorter walks Lake Lilla, Weindorfers Forest, Enchanted walk, and King Billy pine walk. By mid afternoon the wind had started and the clouds were starting to roll in so we decided to move on thrilled that we were fortunate enough to get such perfect days.....
Below are some of our favourite pics from our walks:
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| Historic Hut |
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| Coral fern |
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| Button Grass |
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| Paper Daisy |
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| Cradle Plateau |
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| Flowering cushion plant |
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| View from summit |
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