FAIL!!!
With the time off work over Xmas, a Du Cane range traverse was the objective. Weather looked good to reasonable, fully packed, and after the drive to Lake St Clair, it was time to board the ferry.
First day objective was Walled Mt, as I had read on here that it is arguably one of the best (if exposed) high camp in Tas. So up the OTand then into Pine Valley. Easy walking and nice scenery in Pine Valley up towards the hut. From the hut the, at times, steep climb up to the Parthenon begins. One small section see you climb up a steep dry creek bed, that in wetter times I imagine would be a fairly free flowing waterfall!! A short walk along the Parthenon then leads to the first view of the amazing , beautiful , Labyrinth. Full of lakes, pines, gums, Fagus , skeleton gums, pandani, rock and others is a feast for the eyes. Working your way through and around the Labyrinth leads to the spur leading up to walled Mt. A steady climb with amazing views of the surroundings leads to banks of pineapple grass nearer the summit. Onwards and upwards and the smaller plateaus nearer the summit revel huge cushion plants, which was a beautiful site. Very shortly after the summit is reached and the views are superb. The Labyrinth below is framed and dominated by The Acropolis and Mt Geryon , an amazing view. To the north(ish) is Mt Hyperion and Du Cane highpoint. Looming over the back and appearing surprisingly close is Mt Ossa and beyond the rest of the Cradle/St Clair NP peaks. To the west the Eldon range dominates with Frenchmans off in the distance and a multitude of other peaks. To the south Mt Gould rises highly with Mt Olypus and Lake St Clair obscured behind. In theory you could camp right on the summit on a few rock shelves, but o decided upon a small flat grassy gully just next to the summit. Again it is full of beautiful, flowering, large cushion plants, but there are a few spots for a tent without damaging the cushion plants. Exposed it is, but the views are truly up there with the best, if not the best, camping in Tas. And it did blow hard that night, but the Scarp1 stood up well enough. And it was that night, first night, that I realised I had forgotten to pack the epirb. So after agonising thoughts and and unpleasant realisation, the rest of the trip was off. Next time!!!!!
A few photos below.