Today was supposed to be a walk from the Springs, up the Organ Pipes Track to the Chalet, down the Hunter track to Junction cabin and back to the Springs.
We knew work was being done on the Zig-Zag track that leads off the Organ Pipes Track to the top of Mt. Wellington. The day before we were due to walk, Peter wisely called the people responsible, Hobart City Council, and a very nice lady there told him there would be no problem. Helicopter work dropping supplies for the track repairs would be finished by the time we started. Easy-peasy.
Right.
I was riding with Peter when a call came through from others who had just arrived at the Springs and found the parking area and Organ Pipes Track were closed.
To cut a long, sad, story short we ended up walking in reverse, hoping that by the time we reached the Chalet, the Organ Pipes track would be open.
Off we go.
Before you start, Peter suggested a competition.
Worried walkers weren't paying attention to their surroundings, Peter proposed this test.
The first three who can tell him the three errors in this blog will win a years free subscription!!!
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| From the lower car park |
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| The Organ Pipes |
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| Leaving the Springs |
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| It helps if you have a spare child with you to defeat the lock |
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| View from Sphinx Rock |
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| Easy walking |
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| A glimpse of the Organ Pipes |
I know we appear to make bushwalking look easy, but there are times we have to overcome major obstacles as in the photos below.
Soon we come to another off main track feature, Lone Cabin.
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| Lone Cabin |
On we go, heading towards Junction Cabin for Morning Tea. But there more challenges to overcome first.
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| Junction Cabin and Morning Tea |
After our break we set off up Hunters Track, one we were originally supposed to come down.
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| The first part isn't too bad |
We make our way up from the main track to have a look at Crocodile Rock and try to work out how it got its name.
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| Not very crocodile like |
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| Nor this |
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| With some imagination, this could resemble a crocodile's head |
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I think we need to turn to an expert, and I paraphrase David Leaman in his book,
Walk Into History in Southern Tasmania.
"Whether or not you accept the description rather depends on your sobriety at the time, the angle of approach or general creative imagination."
Back on the main track, we continue to climb.
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| Ron admiring the view (and waiting for me) |
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| At this point, Hunters Track joins the Old Hobartians Track |
We turn left as this will take us up to Pinnacle Road.
Finally! We reach the road and walk up to the Chalet.
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| Chalet ahead |
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| Lunch |
While we've been climbing, the noise of helicopters was fairly constant, delivering track materials.
Peter asked if I'd ever been down the Sawmill Track, which I haven't nor had anyone else.
This was because he wasn't sure the Organ Pipes Track was open all the way back to the Springs. I argued that surely Hobart Council would have signed the track to tell walkers if it wasn't open. You would have thought I was old enough by now to learn.
Several groups of walkers had passed us as we talked, heading down the track.
We would pass most of them on their way back.
Anyway, off we go, trusting in officialdom.
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| The track was restored a year or two ago back to its original state |
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| The views are great |
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| Hobart |
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| Looking upriver |
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| The Tasman Bridge to the Eastern Shore |
We're getting close to the bottom of the Organ Pipes when someone spots a climber.
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| Organ Pipes |
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| Climber or as I know them - Crazy Person |
The telephoto pictures don't do justice to how far above his mates he was. That rope was very long and he appeared as just a dot with the naked eye.
No thanks.
On we go and surprise, surprise we come to a cheerful, jolly, and talkative young fellow with a walkie talkie and yellow jacket. ( I'm being facetious).
The Organ Pipes Track was closed from here and we could either go back or start down the Sawmill Track. He conveyed this message without eye contact or saying anything. Clever.
So, rather than start back, we head into new territory and start down the Sawmill Track.
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| Starting down the Sawmill Track |
Peter found a green hooded orchid which I photographed, but I can't find the photo.
The track becomes quite a pleasant walk as we descend.
The track exits onto Pinnacle Road and we make our way back to the Springs from there. The track actually crosses the road and continues down to the Shoobridge and North-South tracks.
An interesting walk. I think I prefer to come down Hunters Track. From Junction Cabin to the Chalet is estimated to be a 1 hour 20 minute climb. The descent from the Chalet to Junction is estimated at 50 minutes. The weather was perfect for walking and if only Hobart City Council had gotten their act together, it would have been better.
I think we had 15 walkers and covered 10km in 4:56hrs.
