Day I Drove to the car park with cloud over the Overland Track peaks and walked to lake Vera. The new track is so much more pleasant and at least 1/2 hr faster. Dry boots in and out. The cloud lifted in the afternoon to reveal Frechmans Cap and her satellites. The Vera hut was in immaculate condition, plenty of coal for the heater.
Day 2 walked through the rainforest to Barron Pass and enjoyed the spectacular views, the White Needle and Philps gendarmes, the white cliffs of Sharlands , Frenchmans and Clytemnestra, way below the tarns all named after the early explorers' women. A great spot for cowboy coffee. Sidled under Sharlands to reach Tahune early afternoon.
After a rest I walked around to the SE face and had great admiration for the first rock climbers to climb on this intimidating cliff. The pocket heater worked a treat and there was plenty of coal.
Day 3 climbed up the cap, the summit was sunny and frosty. Dropped off on the W side looking for the Abel's route To Clytemnestra but did not see anything very appealing on a short frosty winters day. Returned to the hut, detouring on the way to the Lions Head and the start of the track to the Irenabyss. Relaxed in the hut in the afternoon.
Day 4 climbed Sharlands on the way back to Vera. Really enjoyed the easy but excitingly exposed ascent on the imposing Sharlands cliffs. A good place to remember how you got to the top, my GPS breadcrumbs led me faithfully down the same way. Different views of the surrounding peaks from here. The local wombat visited Vera hut in the evening.
Day 5 walked up onto the top of the first ridge towards Agamemnon from Rumney flats on the way back to the car park. Rather scrubby around the cliffs but the terrain looked much easier from the ridge line on and very inviting. Got back to the car park and my car would not start. Flat battery! Left an indicator on, out of mobile range, whoops. 2 minutes later I flagged down an elderly couple driving past. These good Samaritans push started me and refused to allow me to pay for their icecreams at the Hungry Wombat where we subsequently met. Lucky escape, very glad not to have been in this situation at the Arm river car park and many other trailheads!
A wonderful 5 days and many places to return to explore.
- Sharlands Peak
- Lions Head and the track to the irenabyss
- Valley mist from the summit
- Here she is
- Clavulinopsis sulcata
