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28/11/22 - Distance: 42km
Left camp ultra early at 4am from carters hut. I was originally planning on summiting the pilot but figured it was 9km one way and to out of the way. So I decided against it. Lots of black horses around. There is also a NPWS operation to cull feral deers etc. I passed by a lovely hut called Cascades hut and then another natural occurring rock shelter/hut (AKA devils kitchen). I passed my first hiker, who was doing another thru hike in the opposite direction, he was doing the AAWT from Canberra to whalhalla. Its amazing how you can quickly judge an experienced walker by their appearance and demeanor when out in the bush. I saw him from a distance and saw his large pack, gaiters, walking poles, skinny tall fit stature, sturdy walking style and appropriate footwear. After days of walking alone and not passing another sole this is the type of walker you like to pass. Similar mind set, similar goals, similar knowledge. We chat briefly mainly of track conditions, weather and then onto objectives (i.e. walk the bundian way for me and AAWT – again- for him). It is ever so comforting knowing there are other persons who seek the solitude and freedom of multi day solo hiking. And we both exchange details regarding the pathway ahead. I reached dead horse gap around midday, I ditched my pack and had lunch before heading with a smaller day pach for the summit. Lots of vehicles parked here, and whilst I was stashing away my pack I found a large food drop placed by another group, mostly open with a few items in dry bags, I could literally see fresh lettuce leaves sticking out of the bags, They either had no experience with vermin and their potential to trash food drops or they only intended it to be there for a short period and know the area. I hope the latter. I finish lunch and head up toward mt koz. I head upto about 1900m and deviate off course to suss out moth crevices on the rock. At first I find nothing, im not expecting moths but at least signs of them, I scramble around a little further climbing over fallen old grey and white dead snow gums and finally there they are. The Bogong moths. Fluttering away, althouth ever so few. Many more lay dead on the ground. They would be struggling right now with the wind. But they are there. They were so abundant back in the day that aboriginals would scoop them up with nets. But today they seldomnly make their way back to the high country as they get distracted by city lights.
There was lots of snow around and in places it was covering the track quite thickly. It made progress to the summit slow, but interesting and it was great to see the mountains covered in snow. It was also very windy and chilly. I get to the sumit at about 245. Shit, the last chairlift is at 4pm and Im 7km away. I had to briskly walk and jog a few time as I didn’t want to have to walk the additional steep 2 km down to thredbo should I miss the last chairlift. I made it with plenty of time to spare. I grab a seat on the lift and relax, done, I made it, Lots of bike riders around sailing down the hill. I head to the pub for a feed.
cascades hut
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