What a way to kick off an awesome weekend.  We had contacted the Trekka 4WD Club a few weeks ago and they were good enough to allow us to come along on the night run up and over Jeffery’s Track to Huonville, have dinner and head back over the hill again.  It is always good doing a trip with a little bit of a difference, especially where a beer and good company is involved.

Meeting at New Norfolk we headed off at about 5:30pm towards Jeffery’s Track.  This track is relatively easy but is good for a little fun with some slushy mud parts, a few muddy holes and a steep ascent or descent depending on which way you are heading.

Its funny how night time makes things look a little more challenging, the mud looks deeper, the hills steeper, the rocks bigger, etc…saying that though all vehicles made it up and over the track without too many surprises.  The biggest surprise for me was the fact we had been 4WDing with only the rear wheels for some time.  I had thought traction seemed a little off and the mud confirmed that it wasn’t the tyres it was most definately one of the manual locking hubs not engaging.  Funny really I had completed the Balfour Track, Monetzuma Falls, Ring River Road and Southern Forests run in 2WD…oops. 

Never mind I had the lockers in case trouble was around the corner.

Completing Jeffery’s Track we headed into Huonville for a delicious pub meal with some awesome deserts on offer.  The meal was great but the real delight was spending the evening with the members of the Trekka 4WD Club who are a top bunch of people.  Again we had stumbled on a great group of people with similar interests.

After dinner, dessert and a few beers, back over Jeffery’s Track.  We struggled up the initial steep hill in 2WD and had to engage the lockers to compensate for the faulty hub.  Apart from the distinct pull to the passengers side up we went.  The rest of the track was fun with one car mysteriously ending up driving the wrong way…we think…and lodging their car on the edge of a gully to be recovered.  The mud at the end of the track was fun and was enjoyed by the drivers. 

At the end of the track it was time to say goodbye to our friends made at the Trekka 4WD Club and look forward to future trips…little did we know what was in store for us…

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB-UCoXC6g (Must See, Bushman Bud reflects on epic trip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1lLxSE-Dl4 (Vista 360 degrees at Mt Ossa)

Rising from a restless night sleep at 5:00am I grabbed my back pack of basic supplies and headed for the Arm River Track.  The information on this track suggests a 40 klm return to be completed over 3 days.  I had found this track as an alternative from the Overland Track which would have been an 80 klm round trip.

Driving to the start of the track was an interesting experience.  My mind was playing tricks on me and doubt had set it.  I lost count of the number of times my head was saying turnaround, this is silly, its too far for one day, etc, but desire and determination kicked in. 

Starting out at 6:45am along the track I did the first klm or so in the dark.  The first major incline was done in the near dark and it was freezing!  To the top of the initial steep climb can not be further than 2klm and the doubt started again due to the length of time it took.  I kept telling myself how much do you want this…keep going…move faster.  The track after this point became a little easier and very picturesque following mountain ranges and beautiful inland lakes and what I called the “Enchanted Forest,” which was an ancient rain forest along the track.

I pushed myself towards the end of the Arm River Track andthe intersection of the Overland Track signified by the Pellion Hut.  Time seemed to pass so quickly and I was surprised when the hut popped into view a lot sooner than I had imagined.  I arrived at the hut at 9:45am and for the first time new I could make the return trip.  Pellion Hut is about 1/3 of the way along the 40 klm round trip.  After making this in 3 hours I figured I was a fair bet.

Pellion Hut is huge with lots of space to hold many travellers and is sectioned into rooms of four bunks.  There is a heater and toilets so for the weary hiker a welcome spot to hang the boots and spend the night.  The hut eased my mind as it was a good fail safe if I needed rest later in the day.

Leaving Pellion Hut you join the overland track and follow a creek for some time before commencing an upward steady incline from 900m to 1,200m where you meet up with the Mt Ossa Track.  The walk is through beautiful forest where there are many birds and other animals to spot.  I was still feeling really good when I arrived at the Mt Ossa track (other than a near disaster avoided when a fellow hiker informed me that my backpack was undone…I was just about to lose my food…ouch).

The Mt Ossa Track is a 5 klm return track to the summit.  To get from Pellion Hut to Mt Ossa intersection is around 4.5 klm, making the Pellion Hut to Mt Ossa summit return about 14 klms.

The track to the summit of Tasmania’s highest peak was realtively easy.  The best comparison would be the climb to Cradle Mountain with a little bit of rock scrambimg towards the top.  Saying that… the rock scramble would not be as difficult nor as lengthy as the Cradle Mountain summit.  The scariest part about the Mt Ossa climb is the lack of markers.  I headed off in the wrong direction a few times on the way up and one on the way down which took me very close to a rather large drop off.  Be warned and really look for the track carefully…if the boulders are not rubbed by peoples steps then it is a good chance that you have gotten off track.

One steep step up gets you on top of Mt Ossa at 1,617m.  The disapointment for me was the lack of a cairn stone to mark Tasmania’s highest point, however the view was spectacular and awe inspiring.  From up above the Lake St Clair, Cradle Mtn National Park is awesome and Mt Ossa is very close to the middle of this beautiful spot on Earth.  It is a must do! 

I must admit getting to the top of Mt Ossa was not only awe inspiring because of the vista but also because this had been a goal of mine for some time and part of my bigger goal to climb the highest mountain peak is each state.  There was some raised arms and a large yell when I got to the top much to the surprise of some people already enjoying the tranquility of being at the top.  For me there were some mixed emotions and a whole lot of joy.  I had exorcised some demons getting to the top of the mountain and still had another 20 klm to travel to get home…the job was only half done but at least every step from now on would be closer to home.

What can I say “I’am at the top, and your not.”  “Get off your butt and give it a go!”

I completed the Mt Ossa summit in 5 1/4 hours from the start of the Arm River Track arriving at the summit at 2 mins before midday…well on track to complete the day circuit.

It was freezing on top with the wind blowing its box off.  As a result my muscles had tightened a little and it was a gingerly climb down the mountain until I loosened up again.  Arriving back at the Overland Track intersection I had a quick feed, grabbed my back pack (which I had left here whilst I had done the summit track) and headed back towards the Pellion Hut.  Along the way I had someone comment on the size of my backpack (being rather small), I teased…I like to travel light…little did they know I was on a 40klm day trip mission.  Watching some of the people struggle with massive packs was interesting and an insight into how much they would struggle to complete the same distance.

I arrived back at Pellion Hut at 2:36pm, making the Pellion Hut, Mt Ossa, Pellion Hut trip almost 5 hours, including about 40 mins of breaks.  Still on track I left the safety of the hut and headed for the Arm River Track.  I was still feeling great and it was not until about 3 klms to go that my feet and legs started hurting.  By then I was too close to my goal that the pain really didn’t matter. 

I arrived back at my car at 5:17pm making it a 2hr 40 min trip from Pellion Hut to the carpark at the start of the Arm River Track.  To my amazement I had actually travelled quicker of the way home.  10 1/2 hours in total and if you take off half an hour at the summit of Mt Ossa, I had completed the 40 klm trip in 10 hours at an average of 4klm/hour…WOW!!!

Getting back I was over the moon, I had killed off some demons, learnt that I was fitter than I thought and left myself with the feeling that anything was possible.  It is amazing what desire and determination in life can bring you.  I never thought this possible at one stage and then thought it would take me to the boundaries of my endurance.  To be honest even though I was drained and tired my determination and the unrelented pursuit of a goal had got me this far, to where I needed to be and I could have gone further…a lot further if the question had been asked.

I have now completed one more part of the highest peak challenge and feel alive and reenergised from completion of a goal.  That is why it is so important in life to set goals because it is amazing what you can achieve…goals push you to new boundaries that you never believed you could cross, they teach you about yourself and give you confidence to operate at an even greater level…as Zig Ziglar drummed into me early in life, “You gotta have goals!!!”

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia