Rohan and Nigel Christmas Australian Alps Walking Track

March 2008 Walhalla to Tharwa

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Tuesday 1^st April Day 17

Cope Hut to Cleve Cole Hut

8:05am – 4:30pm walking time

We fired up once more around 7am and set about getting ready to head off once again. The sound of trucks and graders shortly after 7:30am was not at all pleasant. They are getting the road from Falls Creek to Glen Wills Valley ready for bitumen. The crushed rock is coming from some sort of tunnelling works which are occurring at Bogong Village in between Mt Beauty and Falls Creek. We had to stop for Rohan to strip off once we started to walk; he thought it must have been a lot colder than it actually was. The wind was pretty cutting though upon the exposed plains. We met a couple around Mt Nelse out for an overnight walk. We continued onto the Ropers Hut site to find a new hut is under construction in the traditional style. It looks like slabs of foam will be installed in the walls; so it should be nice and cosy and not an eyesore. Rohan struggled on the decent to Big River (doesn’t like downhills much) and was 45min slower. The water was to cold for a bath as well he reckoned as well. I waited for him at the junction of the track for the T-Spur at the top for 30 minutes; he was having a slow day. On arrival at Cleve Cole Hut there was a wet tent layed out drying on the steps so we knew we had company for the night. John & Sandra (from middle coast NSW) were out on a multi day Bogongs walk and were interesting company. John has been tossing up the idea of doing the AAWT for quite a few years but has yet to take the plunge. Rohan was impressed by the luxury of Cleve Cole. It was nice to have the still and warm air inside rather than the cold cutting wind outside.

Breakfast time at Cope Hut.

Breakfast time at Cope Hut.

We have made some headway!

Cope Hut.

Looking back at Rocky Valley Storage. Falls Creek is at upper far right.

Same location as previous picture; Rohan is getting peckish.

On the descent to Big River showing the fire regrowth and recently cleared track.

The track junction at the top of the T Spur. I waited for Rohan here. Cleve Cole is a few kilometres to the right.

Wednesday 2^nd April Day 18

Cleve Cole Hut to Mt Wills

8:50am – 2:15pm walking time

I had a lovely sleep that was only disturbed by the others going to the toilet during the night. We got up around 7am and had a slow and easy pack up before departing. The weather was pleasant except for a coldish cutting wind. I pointed out where we were going today to Rohan from the top of The Long Spur; it is amazing as you can see the whole of The Long Spur and then Mt Wills above it, the full days walk. We had lunch at Big River Saddle around midday. The climb all of the way to the grasslands below Mt Wills have been recently cleared (around 2m wide). It made for good walking even though it was painfully steep. As we neared the summit I commented to Rohan that we might get wet as the clouds across the High Plains and Mt Bogong were very dark. We set up camp in the hut for a lazy afternoon quite quickly. The roaring winds were soon joined with rain. I am happy to be in the hut rather than cramped up in the tent. Rohan must have consumed some steroids or something last night as he stayed with me up the climb to Mt Wills; very impressed (although he is having an afternoon nap at 4:30pm though). Our next food drop is on the Omeo Highway just below here and we are one day up on food now. I had anticipated walking through to the Mitta Mitta at Taylors Crossing and having a rest day there. However if the weather is atrocious tomorrow we may stay here for another day.

Cleve Cole Hut.

The house rules of Cleve Cole Hut.

A sink and running water.

Gas stove for winter use I presume.

The old fire box has been upgraded as well.

The bunk beds an fellow camper Sandra.

Behold The Long Spur.

Suspicious characters.

The pleasant foot track along The Long Spur.

This is taken a few kilometres from Mt Wills after the hardest part of the climb up from Big River Saddle is completed. It is very pleasant walking.

Inside the Mt Wills Hut. Rohan is reading through the Hut’s log book.

Two bedrooms with two very long bunk beds in them here.

The 1757m elevation makes for cold nights. It is late in the afternoon looking from the hut door.

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