Today Mendelt is the leader and the walk will be to Tom Thumb with an option to continue to Mt Connection.
In brilliant sunlight we set off along the Big Bend fire trail - which initially is uphill and then continues to drop until we reach the base of Tom Thumb.
We soon find a small patch of snow .. boys being boys Mendelt and Chris had to throw some at each other!
Looking towards south the towers are clearly visible on top of Mt Wellington as are the cars driving along Pinnacle Road
Quite a lengthy section of ice on the trail - last night the temperature on the mountain was -3
Chris calls this tree a 'Wannabe Octopus Tree' because it is just starting to grow over a rock
Man made or natural?
The consensus of opinion was that's natural
There are numerous small dams along the trail built to assist with fire fighting. Here we examine one of them.
On reaching the turn off to Tom Thumb it was decided to have morning tea.
About to start the ascent - Tom Thumb seen behind the group doesn't seem that high or far away - should be a leisurely climb.
A couple of steps in and the track gets narrower, steeper and rockier
We were glad to finally reach the top as the track was more challenging than expected
After a short break to enjoy the view its back down
We get back down to the Big Bend Trail and retrace our steps till we reach the Mt Connection turn off. This track is covered in water.
At the junction of the Mt Connection and the Devils Throne tracks we stop for lunch
In this photo Mendelt sets a new benchmark for walk leaders - he is passing Tim Tams to all the walkers
Lunch over we decide to head back to the cars
Tom Thumb can be seen in the distance directly behind the walkers
Last few metres to the cars
Like all good walkers we need to cool down after a hard days activity
Today 10 walkers covered about 7.5kms in excellent conditions.
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