Diary
Sunday, 7.03.04
Drove until I reached the trailhead of the Mt Holdsworth Circuit. A track classified as “moderate-demanding”. Had a nice meal (guess what! Pasta again) and spend some time reading before I fell asleep in the car. By the way… got acquainted to the sand flies and not only one!
Monday, 8.03.04
Got woken up by the sun saying hello through my window. If a day starts like this it can only become a good day. And so it was.
Packed my stuff, bought an Annual Hut Pass from the nearby DOC ranger and set of on the track.
Already at Rocky Lookout I noticed that the wind is quite strong and dark clouds are hanging around Mt Holdsworth. But I could actually see Powell Hut and in the distance even Jumbo Hut.
The way up to Powell Hut was steep but to my surprise I managed it very well and fast. Had a little breakfast break there and decided to move on and do the crossing today despite of the fierce wind and low clouds because even stronger winds were reported tomorrow. The way up to Mt Holdsworth and especially over the ridge to Mt Jumbo and to Jumbo Hut was good to find but quite narrow in places and with this stormy winds a tricky thing to cross. Just a shame that visibility was so bad.
Jumbo Hut is a nice place above the bush line. Hope for a clear day tomorrow because the sunrises should be especially beautiful to watch from the small veranda.
When I looked outside I saw the moon rise at the horizon. A deep and rich glowing red. Mysterious. But it fits the scene. Slowly burning coals in the chimney, candles on the walls and a restless wind blowing around the house. Despite the high-end gear next to me and this well-built house I feel like someone else. Who knows… maybe a distant memory of a former life I lived. It feels good.
Tuesday, 9.03.04
Had to use my earplugs during the night because of the stormy winds outside which made the hut very loud. Somehow I woke up at 3.00 and couldn't fall asleep anymore. So I stood up, boiled some water for drinking, had a honey toast and made a nice fire while I was waiting for the sunrise. Shortly past 6.00 a.m. the spectacle began. I packed my sleeping bag and wrapped me in it while I was sitting on the small veranda, watching a great sunrise.
Got to bed for another 2 hours after that. Strange timing, I know.
At 10.00 a.m. I started the seemingly never-ending descent to the valley.
From there it was straight forward. Met a large school class with lots of fat kids. What a mass of humanity. Never mind. Some parts of the track were washed away or completely broken off into the river. But little paths had already been found around. Tired but happy I reached the car park and said hello again to the sand flies just before I suffocated them (so I hoped at least) with the exhaust fumes of my car.
