Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

[Son of a Beach]

My wife and I and our two kids (2 years and 4 months) have just had 3 days at the Scout Hut ('BP Memorial Lodge') at Cradle Mountain, along with a couple of friends, and Corvus as the Hut Warden.

It was really hard going carrying all our gear, plus our kids, plus all their gear, but it is only a short walk (took us about an hour). It rained consistently for the entire walk in, and the entire walk out but not terribly heavily. It was also rather windy. We got a snow fall for about 5 minutes on the Friday evening.

Thankfully on the day in between, the rain held off for most of the day, although it was still heavily overcast. So we walked up Crater Peak in the morning, and then down to Crater Lake (via Crater Falls) in the afternoon.

We really enjoyed out stay at the Scout Hut, and will definitely make use of it again (but will probably wait until the kids can walk at least most of the way there, themselves).

On the way up, my wife carried one daughter on her back, and the other daughter on her front, and I carried my 85 litre pack on my back and her 65 litre pack on my front. Although the packs were heavier than the kids, the baby carrying pack was very uncomfortable, so on the way down, we carried a daughter and a pack each.

Sophie loved the friendly currawong (she's already an expert bird watcher, able to name many species by sight, or even just by sound).

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On Crater Peak with Cradle Mountain in the background

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Crater Lake from Crater Peak Lookout

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Sophie's first ever snow play on top of Crater Peak

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Packing up to leave, Sophie helps her Dad with his boots and hat

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Our entire family back at the car park

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...and with the storm cover (which was actually from our pram) removed

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[Natt]

Amazing

Such sweet pictures. But wow it must have been tough going

I bet you had a ball though

[frank_in_oz]

Great pictures Nik,
That was a fair effort carrying all that gear (and live weight)

Wonderful to see you are getting the kids out into the "wilderness" early.

Really pleased you all had a great time.

How did corvus go? Does he carry his first aid kit in a seperate pack on the front because of it's size???

[Robbo]

Congratulations to you and your wife for getting out there and getting kids introduced to the 'good life', Nik. They really do love it, don't they?

Been looking forward to how you went. How did the kids sleep through the night? Keep the others awake?

Well done, and great to see the pictures

Robbo

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks all, for the kind comments.

How did corvus go? Does he carry his first aid kit in a seperate pack on the front because of it's size???

I wonder if he's ever considered a separate pack for his 'luxury items'.

I remember the first time I took a double-pack was when I took my remote controlled boat up to the Walls of Jerusalem (late teens). Ah, I should add that to the 'Luxury Items' topic.

How did the kids sleep through the night? Keep the others awake?

They slept through pretty well. One of them woke up a few times in a bit of a confused state, I think wondering where she was, and not used to being in a sleeping bag, and having bad dreams, etc. But went straight back to sleep each time as soon as she realised Mum and Dad were nearby, and tucking her in again.

it must have been tough going

It certainly was a bit tough. We did thoroughly enjoy it, but it was tough enough that I don't think we'll attempt it again until the kids can walk most of the way themselves (and besides, they're not getting any lighter as time goes by). We're glad we did it, but I think that until the kids are old enough to walk themselves, we'll probably go car camping, instead (which we also love doing, anyway).

[Mickeymoo]

Great shots Nik, looks like it was well worth the effort!

Michael.

[walkinTas]

Pity about the snow Nik! Would have been fun for the older kid, but then again, you probably didn't want to walk out on a snow covered track.

[flyfisher]

Great to see you folk out as a family unit having fun and getting the little ones ready for some bigger outings later on.(Be great when they can carry their own dirty nappies) Sophie looks like she is having a ball.

Flyfisher

[Lynda Moir]

Congratulations guys you all deserve medals. This is the true making of great memories. I first went to Cradle at 8 weeks of age - obviously don't remember much but had lots of trips with my family over the years. I am still making regular treks there. In those days it was an amazing long mud slide in along incredibly rough roads. We stayed in Waldheim. Fred Smithies held me in his arms.

[Son of a Beach]

at 8 weeks of age ... We stayed in Waldheim. Fred Smithies held me in his arms.

Very cool, Lynda - Sounds like your family brung you up right!

Anyone who doubted that you two are dedicated parents (and bushwalkers) would be convinced looking at those pictures! Outstanding!

[corvus]

corvus did not need his 1st aid kit as we have a comprehensive one at the Lodge ,what he did need was a quick reminder as to baby handling ( are you corvus good cop this ) from the first arrival .There I was an out of practise baby handler with a super wrapped fully insulated wee bundle to dandle and take care of and did I love it yes ,I can be a natural at Grandfathering but I will claim uncle status now as wee Sophie and I had fun together with games and words so I expect to receive regular up dates .

[Son of a Beach]

yeah, Uncle Corvus turned out to be a natural (all the practice years ago must have come back to him).

Sophie talked about him afterwards almost as much as she did about the Currwong.

[Robbo]

as she did about the Currwong

Currawong or Crow?

[corvus]

For the unedified its Raven

[Son of a Beach]

as she did about the Currwong

Currawong or Crow?

At the hut it was a Currawong.

[Robbo]

At the hut it was a Currawong.

I was referring to Corvus' avitar...

I think He picked up on what I was referring to

Tony Robinson

[corvus]

To Crow is to boast ! guilty as charged

[tasadam]

To Crow is to boast ! guilty as charged

But you said (to the "unedified"), it's a raven.
A raven is to rave on?

[Hisham]

How did you waterproof the kids?

Also, in snow I'm thinking the cold will not be Great for their exposed faces and particularly when sleeping in the tent at night, unless they're old enough to cover their heads and not worry. Did you take the baby to the snow?

[Son of a Beach]

Baby (now 8 yo) stayed in the hut when I took the 2 yo (now 10) further up the track to the hut. Our water proofing was not great. Used the rain cover from a pram for the older child in the back pack (loosely fitted, not ideal, but worked a treat for this short walk). For the baby in the front pack, just a tiny rain coat (plus she was mostly within Mum's rain coat, anyhow).

I wouldn't do a tent trip with babies. There's just too much stuff to carry. If I did want to do a tent trip, the most important thing is to make sure it is a VERY short walk. In theory, you can do it all with a baby, but it is a lot more difficult, and you simply cannot do the same distances. You have to lower your expectations a LOT.

And remember... it's not fun for the baby (who cares for not much more than Mum's milk and a good snooze at that age). So don't push the boundaries for the baby's sake.