Dinner on the way! It’s been an epic day’s walking - not many kilometres but a good six hour slog, plus a bit extra to fetch water at the end. I set off at 8:35am with around three litres of water - ended up being more than enough with careful rationing. Things were easy enough through to the Mount Howitt turn-off - I came across the New Zealand couple on the way down from the summit as I was heading up. Nice views from the top, plus mobile phone reception (probably due to a tower on Mount Buller to the west), so I sent Nadia a couple of texts. I’m already looking forward to getting home to her and our lovely life together.
Crosscut Saw from Mount Howitt
The sun has just dipped below the summit of Mount Speculation behind me - I’ll be in the shadows until dawn.
After Howitt, it was the Crosscut Saw - what a slog. The trickiest bits were the steep descents - it was a stroke of genius bringing a trekking pole, made quite a difference. Spectacular views the whole way of course. My anxiety from this morning has pretty well dissipated - I’m still out of my usual comfort zone but I’m feeling mostly good about it.
Alpine daisies, Mount Howitt
The next two days sound quite challenging and at some point, it’ll be quicker continuing than admitting defeat and turning around. A couple of points in the walk notes sound a tad intimidating but if that comes up tomorrow and I don’t feel safe continuing, I can always come back here.
The Razor from the Crosscut Saw
Summit of Mount Buggery
So, the Saw led to Mount Buggery, at the top of which I met the New Zealand couple again - they had wisely decided not to go on to Mount Speculation and were just leaving to head back to Macallister Springs. I had lunch and continued via the Horrible Gap to Mount Speculation - a couple of slightly scary rock faces to scale but nothing more of note. The camp site here is northeast of the summit and is just brilliant - except that it took about an hour’s roundtrip to find and fetch water from Camp Creek. On the way there, I encountered a nice little juvenile tiger snake basking in the sunshine on the path - gave it a wide berth as it didn't appear to have any inclination to move away. Thankfully only the sixth-most venemous snake in the world! There is no longer 4WD access to the summit of Mount Speculation, unlike last time I was here in the 90s - a massive improvement!
Friendly tiger snake
This way please!
More alpine flowers
Taking it easy!
I forgot to mention that that crow hanging around my camp site at Macallister Springs nicked an unopened packet of two-minute noodles from my food bag this morning and managed, with some difficulty, to airlift it off the knoll I was camped on, never to be seen again!
I’m completely alone up here and feel just great about it. My back is sore, as it was at Wilsons Prom, but I think I’ll sleep OK, especially with my new pillow system (pack underneath to raise it)!
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