So I left Mole Creek at 1:30pm arriving at Dove Lake at 2:45pm.  Most would see that as a little late to start the climb but for me this was to be a speedy, push it all the way climb, drop dead…well almost…kind of climb.  Off I went following Dove Lake to the steep section to Marions Lookout.  To the sign post at Marions Lookout I made it in 27 mins and 45 seconds (that’s right, Dove Lake to Marions Lookout).  From there it was the Overland Track to Kitcheners Hut at the start of the Cradle Mtn summit track – for this section of track 19 mins and 15 seconds.  Finally the summit climb…Kitcheners Hut to the Cairn Stone at the summit of Cradle Mountain…29 mins and 35 seconds.  So from Dove Lake via Marions Lookout to the summit of Cradle Mountain it took a total of 1 hour 16 minutes and 25 seconds…I surprised myself…wow. 

On the way down it was easier and I moved somewhat faster.  I really wanted to beat the one hour mark so I was prepared to jog where necessary to get under the hour.  Soooo, going down Cradle Summit to Kitcheners Hut 21 mins and 15 seconds, Kitcheners Hut to Marions Lookout 16 mins and 20 seconds and Marions Lookout to Dove Lake car park 20 mins and 20 seconds.  Total time down was 57 mins and 55 seconds…under one hour…yeah I did it…awesome.

Yes, I am a nut, a little crazy and find enjoyment in doing these things others would call silly.  I just like pushing my body to its limit and seeing how far I can really push myself.  Getting out of your comfort zone and pushing through boundaries is what it is all about.  The same stays true no matter what you take on in life.  Unless you are operating outside your comfort zone do you really learn anything or move forward…for me no…get out there and give it a crack and see what you can achieve…the results will amaze you.  Lets face it, just over 11 weeks ago I was 10+ kgs heavier and a whole lot more unfit and to achieve what I did today proves you can do anything you put your mind to.

So that was what Bushman Bud does when he is not 4WDing, camping or looking for adventure somewhere.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Well we all made it up Cradle Mountain this time around.  Joey Jess (7) on her second run and Orangatang Amy (5) on her first attempt.  We followed the track from Dove Lake to the interection of the Overland Track and Dove Lake Track (about 300m from the carpark).  We turned left towards Dove Lake and followed the lake for 500m before turning right onto the Marion’s Lookout track (a steep track ascending the mountain almost directly up).  From the beautiful vista of Marions Lookout we joined up with the Overland Track and onto Kitcheners Hut and the intersection of the Overland Track, Face Track and Cradle Mtn summit track.  Onwards and upwards to the summit from there, including some great video blogs of the rock scramble showing some of the more difficult and steeper parts. 

After leaving the carpark about 11:45am we reached the summit of Cradle Mtn at 4:00pm.  The view was amazing with clear skies in every direction.  Unfortnately the metal disc at the summit showing all the other mountain peaks in the park was missing.  Was it stolen?  That would be my bet because it hardly needs maintenance!  It looked as though it had been souveniered similar to the Cape York sign at the northern tip of Australia.  What is happening to this great country of ours when these simple icons cannot be left alone to be enjoyed by all.

Anyhow, descending Cradle mountain we headed back to Marions Lookout and this time decided to follow the Overland Track back to Dove Lake car park.  This track is just as steep (if not steeper) leading down/or up from Marions (depending on which way you are going) so don’t be fooled that it may be the easier if the two tracks to Marion’s.  In fact my assessment is that it was the harder of the two tracks. 

The Overland Track is at least a couple of klms longer but does have the advantage of passing past a couple of beautiful inland lakes including the very quaint Wombat Pool.  We arrived at Wombat pool about 7:00pm and with the setting sun and Cradle Mtn and Marions Lookout in the back drop it was a very dreamy place indeed.

Back at the carpark about 7:40pm made for a long day.  The kids would have benefited taking the steep and shorter track back down from Marion’s Lookout, but hey, thats what happens walking in this great land of ours.

Cradle Mountain is an exciting climb and well worth the effort.  It is one of the places I relate to as a “place of breath taking beauty,” so get to Tassie and give it a go.  Apparently on a clear day the best views are early in the morning…so there is a parting hint.

Video blogs to follow.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

The weather has cleared and it is time to get the fitness level up to tackle Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak.  I have found a track into Mt Ossa away from the Overland Track which is a 36 klm round trip.  Far better than the trip up the Overland Track which is approx a 8o klm round trip.  I am planning to do the Mt Ossa trip in one day…so I need to be fit.

With all that said we are climbing Marions Peak and Cradle Mountain tommorrow.  Firstly because Lovely Lynda and Orangatang Amy didn’t make the climb the first time around due to sickness and secondly it will be a good fitness test for Bushman Bud and his Mt Ossa challenge.

The weather should be nice and clear up top with a sunny day forecast.  We will take off early and expect to make the climb within 7 hours.  Cradle Mtn is about 75 klms from camp, roughly about an hours drive from Mole Creek, so it will be a long day.

I must say though I am looking forward to getting up close and personal with Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain again…this part of Tasmania is spectacular.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Dove Lake & Cradle Mtn

G’day all, this was one sensational adventure. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJMmfSBbw-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adZAqCL7d4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52yvzWKpcmo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poAO1_JE6_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHqN39DD-04

We arrived at the Cradle Mtn-Lake St Clair National Park about 10:30am and it took half an hour to work out, firstly where we could drive in the park (for anyone who doesn’t know, you can’t just drive up to the car park, there are boom gates in the way to monitor traffic.  If the traffic is too heavy in the park, you need to get bus tickets to take you where you are going??  The trick is to drive up to the boom gates, if they open, great you are in! If not take a bus!) and secondly you would think you could find an information board which says “Cradle Mtn – that way!”  I suppose that’s why they encourage you to buy a map for $8.50 plus your National Pass – that is tourism for you, hey.

What you need to figure out is that there are several ways to get to Cradle Mtn summit.  Overland Track to Marions Lookout to Summit Track or Dove Lake Track to Face Track to Summit Track or Dove Lake Track to Marions Track to Overland Track to Summit Track.  That is just to get there!

We took the latter track and set off around Dove Lake which is just beautiful.  About 500m doen this track we turned on to Marions Lookout Track and started the steep ascent to about 1,000m.  This track is so steep that you need chains to assist you. 

At the top of Marions Lookout the vista is spectacular and you really have to just sit there for a while (how long that is, I don’t know – you make your mind up – it is just one of those delightful spots you just contemplate life for a while (or for those who know me – just Buddha).

Leaving Marions Lookout we headed up the Overland Track for another 2 klm before coming to the emergency weather hut – Kitcheners Hut.  The walk to Kitcheners Hut meanders up and down over gentle undulations with a great view over the National Park (NP) and you find yourself arriving at the summit track fairly quickly.

Up, up and then very, very steeply up the summit track you go.  There is nothing gentle about this track.  You start on a goat track, which quickly turns to small boulders which just as quickly turns into giant boulders and a real rock climb to the summit.  Once you hit the big boulders you really need your wits about you…place a foot or hand in the wrong place and the fall could be disasterous.  There are a couple of places up the climb and worse still on the way down that are very tricky to negotiate and really require care.  If you don’t like heights and the nervous pumping of the heart don’t do this one, you will be a bucket of nerves!!  You go straight up rock face of Cradle Mtn, down a small valley and then directly up again to the summit.  When on the climb…and it is a climb…you realise just how steep the climb is.  Breath taking in parts, sometimes because of the scenery and other times because you are scared stiff – especially with your 7 year old daughter in tow.  Just got to say how remarkable Joey Jess was to firstly give the climb a go and secondly to reach the summit – she’s a machine…that’s my girl!!

Climbing up Cradle Mtn you really get to appreciate the beauty of this monalith.  It has raw jagged edges and really looks as though someone got a giant bucket of great big boulders and dropped them out.  It is an awesome sight and one I will treasure for years to come.  A place of breath taking beauty is one way of describing it!

On the climb you get to appreciate the beauty of the NP as a whole from up above.  It is one of the prettiest and awe inspiring places I have visited and I am certainly looking forward to getting back there and doing more walks.  Everything about the park is amazing, a must see and do for any trip to Tassie. 

Making the summit was a challenge made all the more worth while by the awe inspiring vista.  There was some cloud around half of the surrounding countryside but the other half was blazing in clear blue skies.  At the summit there is also a bronze disc which marks the many other mountain peaks in the NP.  On the disc was Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest peak), some 30 klm off in the distance.  I look forward to meeting that mountain peak someday soon.

The descent is every bit as tricky as going up.  Real, and I mean real care needs to be taken here, it is very steep!!!!!!

Back at the bottom we turned right along the Face Track which follows Cradle Mtn in its hinterland.  You are still way up high and the vista is still very amazing.  This track is a little up and down, steep in places and really rough.  Watch out for falling rocks off Cradle Mtn here and soak up the great monalith and views doen to Dove Lake.  Once at the end of Cradle Mtn you can continue around the far side of Dove Lake up and over some lower mtn peaks or head straight down (literally) following the Face Track to Dove Lake.  We went down, again using chains due to the steepness and roughness of the track.  On the way down to Dove Lake we passed another lake (countless many of them) which was a pretty back drop with Cradle Mtn looming in the near distance.  You also pass a mtn creek flowing down from this lake to Dove Lake below.  Finally hitting Dove Lake we were happy to be walking on flat ground once more and some nice board walks.  I don’t remember too much of the walk around Dove Lake other than I kept thinking that I must come back and do the walk around the Lake again to appreciate it beauty.  Joey Jess and I were just too tired.

Half an hour later we were back at the car park.  Joey Jess had been telling me that she wanted to swim in the lake all day long.  Ok Jess off you go!  Somehow she managed to trick me into having a swim whilst only dangling her feet in the water – good on ya Jess, I guess you got me, huh.  The water was FREEZING, I kid you not, however I must say, extremely refreshing after a long days walk.  Enjoy the whole experience and brave the cold for a swim, it is refreshing and inspiring when you look back across the lake at Cradle Mtn and revisit your days achievement.

Awesome day, awesome climb, get into it.  We will visit the NP again and bring you more of the things to do and places to see.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

I have been wanting to have a crack at this mountain for ages and can’t wait to view the rest of the ranges from up above.  From what I hear the vista is spectacular.  It will also give me a chance to size up Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak.  That one will be a challenge…it is right in the middle of the Overland Track which is 80klm in length.  That means a 40 klm walk before you even start the climb.  That walk is plan B.  I have checked out my new maps and can see another track that comes in from the East.  I reckon the track to the summit of Mt Ossa is 18klm, making it a 36 klm return trip.  That is one long days walk!!  Anyhow I have been set a challenge and one way or another I will get up Mt Ossa.  At the moment Plan A seems like the go, early morning start, no kids, run and jog my way there…we will see, huh!

Catch tommorrows post on our Cradle Mountain expedition.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia