Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Trip reports, stories, track notes. Multiple/large photos are OK in this forum.
Forum rules
Posting large/multiple images in this forum is OK. Please start topic titles with the name of the location or track.

For topics focussed on photos rather than the trip, please consider posting in the 'Gallery' forum instead.

This forum is for posting information about trips you have done, not for requesting information about a track or area.

Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 10:26 am

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).
DSCF3345.jpg
DSCF3345.jpg (74.83 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


On Crater Peak with Cradle Mountain in the background
DSCF3366.jpg
DSCF3366.jpg (43.33 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


Crater Lake from Crater Peak Lookout
Crater Lake.jpg
Crater Lake.jpg (35.42 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


Sophie's first ever snow play on top of Crater Peak
DSCF3369.jpg
DSCF3369.jpg (44.29 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


Packing up to leave, Sophie helps her Dad with his boots and hat
DSCF3377.jpg
DSCF3377.jpg (51.08 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


Our entire family back at the car park
DSCF3378.jpg
DSCF3378.jpg (77.38 KiB) Viewed 24790 times


...and with the storm cover (which was actually from our pram) removed
DSCF3379.jpg
DSCF3379.jpg (79.17 KiB) Viewed 24790 times
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Natt » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 11:20 am

Amazing

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

I bet you had a ball though
Natt
Nothofagus gunnii
Nothofagus gunnii
 
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue 18 Dec, 2007 8:31 am

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby frank_in_oz » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 11:26 am

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??? :lol:
Frank
Check out "Our Hiking Blog" Overland Track guide, Food to Go-recipe ideas and Trekking to Everest Base Camp.
User avatar
frank_in_oz
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri 02 Nov, 2007 12:43 pm
Location: Geelong, Vic

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Robbo » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 12:28 pm

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
"The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where your life takes place." Nick Vujicic.
User avatar
Robbo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat 07 Jun, 2008 8:31 pm
Location: Melbourne
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Gilson College
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 12:47 pm

Thanks all, for the kind comments.

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

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.

Robbo wrote: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.

Natt wrote:it must have been tough going :D

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). :-)
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Mickeymoo » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 6:51 pm

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

Michael.
Mickeymoo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 412
Joined: Fri 11 Jan, 2008 12:28 pm
Location: Sandford
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby walkinTas » Mon 29 Sep, 2008 10:17 pm

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.
walkinTas
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2934
Joined: Thu 07 Jun, 2007 1:51 pm
Region: Tasmania

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby flyfisher » Tue 30 Sep, 2008 8:28 pm

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. :D

Flyfisher
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you need to drink more.
User avatar
flyfisher
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1532
Joined: Sat 14 Jul, 2007 8:39 pm
Location: hobart
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: landrover owners club of tasmania
Region: Tasmania

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Lynda Moir » Wed 05 Nov, 2008 9:42 pm

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.
Lynda
Lynda Moir
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon 11 Jun, 2007 2:05 pm
Location: Perth WA

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Thu 06 Nov, 2008 6:55 am

Lynda Moir wrote: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!
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby the_camera_poser » Thu 06 Nov, 2008 7:19 pm

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

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby corvus » Fri 07 Nov, 2008 6:59 pm

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 .
collige virgo rosas
User avatar
corvus
Vercundus gearus-freakius
Vercundus gearus-freakius
 
Posts: 5538
Joined: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Devonport
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Fri 07 Nov, 2008 7:04 pm

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. :-)
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Robbo » Fri 07 Nov, 2008 7:46 pm

Son of a Beach wrote:as she did about the Currwong


Currawong or Crow? :?
"The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where your life takes place." Nick Vujicic.
User avatar
Robbo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat 07 Jun, 2008 8:31 pm
Location: Melbourne
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Gilson College
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby corvus » Fri 07 Nov, 2008 7:55 pm

For the unedified its Raven :D
collige virgo rosas
User avatar
corvus
Vercundus gearus-freakius
Vercundus gearus-freakius
 
Posts: 5538
Joined: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Devonport
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Sat 08 Nov, 2008 9:00 am

Robbo wrote:
Son of a Beach wrote:as she did about the Currwong


Currawong or Crow? :?


At the hut it was a Currawong.
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Robbo » Sat 08 Nov, 2008 12:49 pm

Son of a Beach wrote:At the hut it was a Currawong.


I was referring to Corvus' avitar... :P

I think He picked up on what I was referring to :)

Tony Robinson
"The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where your life takes place." Nick Vujicic.
User avatar
Robbo
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat 07 Jun, 2008 8:31 pm
Location: Melbourne
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Gilson College
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby corvus » Sat 08 Nov, 2008 5:58 pm

To Crow is to boast ! guilty as charged :D
collige virgo rosas
User avatar
corvus
Vercundus gearus-freakius
Vercundus gearus-freakius
 
Posts: 5538
Joined: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Devonport
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby tasadam » Sun 09 Nov, 2008 6:42 am

corvus wrote:To Crow is to boast ! guilty as charged :D

But you said (to the "unedified"), it's a raven.
A raven is to rave on? :roll:
User avatar
tasadam
Magnus administratio
Magnus administratio
 
Posts: 5940
Joined: Tue 10 Apr, 2007 6:58 pm
Location: Near Devonport, Tasmania
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: TasmaniART, Smitten Merino, Macpac
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Hisham » Sun 15 Jan, 2017 11:21 am

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?
Hisham
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu 08 Dec, 2016 7:05 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Family Holiday at Cradle Mtn Scout Hut

Postby Son of a Beach » Wed 18 Jan, 2017 10:15 am

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.
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male


Return to TAS Trip Reports & Track Notes

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests