If yesterday was type II fun, then the Beggary Bumps were definitely nudging type III.
There are many internet posts on this section of the traverse, all of which we’d read, but nothing really prepares you for the exposure and context of it all. Whilst the notorious ‘Tilted Chasm’ is spectacular, there are far more sketchy scrambles, pack-hauling, and the normalisation of staking one’s life on the presence of a well-worn root or branch is intriguing. Whilst alternate routes exist for some of the more dangerous parts, there also sections that threaten to become impassable when the thin layer of topsoil washes away.
Most of the almost Amazonian jungle of this undulating ridge was shrouded in mist, very beautiful. Phil and I had both thought to pack gardening gloves which almost proved the single most important pieces of equipment for the whole trip; and I’ve never had to strap love handles before either, but the myrtle branches kept on trying to rip my pack off.
Then it all lifted, and we had spectacular views down to Lakes Ganymede, Jupiter and Saturn.
We made Haven Lake in good time and decided to push on for another hour to Lake Sirona where we found a protected campsite with a spectacular last sunset over the Arthurs and Huon Valley.
There are many internet posts on this section of the traverse, all of which we’d read, but nothing really prepares you for the exposure and context of it all. Whilst the notorious ‘Tilted Chasm’ is spectacular, there are far more sketchy scrambles, pack-hauling, and the normalisation of staking one’s life on the presence of a well-worn root or branch is intriguing. Whilst alternate routes exist for some of the more dangerous parts, there also sections that threaten to become impassable when the thin layer of topsoil washes away.
Most of the almost Amazonian jungle of this undulating ridge was shrouded in mist, very beautiful. Phil and I had both thought to pack gardening gloves which almost proved the single most important pieces of equipment for the whole trip; and I’ve never had to strap love handles before either, but the myrtle branches kept on trying to rip my pack off.
Then it all lifted, and we had spectacular views down to Lakes Ganymede, Jupiter and Saturn.
We made Haven Lake in good time and decided to push on for another hour to Lake Sirona where we found a protected campsite with a spectacular last sunset over the Arthurs and Huon Valley.
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