This is Part 2 of our Overland Track blog covering the last half of the trip. Part 1 is here which I recommend reading before Part 2. There is also a video here.
Day 5
Kia Ora Hut to Bert Nicholls Hut
Distance: 12.5km
We got woken earlier in the morning by something gnawing in or on the roof but didn't get up til our usual time. The weather was the clearest it’s been all trip so I took lots of photos from around the hut which meant we left a little later. It didn’t take us long to go past Du Cane Hut and then had some morning tea at the junction before going down to D’Alton and Fergusson Falls. There was a small creek with a few cascades on the way down to D’Alton Falls which I also stopped to take photos of. We then headed to Hartnett Falls. There was a track down to the bottom of Hartnett Falls but with the amount of water it went over the track at the bottom where it crossed a side shoot of the river but then crossed back so we went up along the edge and met it again but then couldn’t get much further because the water was high. All the waterfalls were thundering with the amount of water going over mostly likely from the rain and snow melt.
Once back at our packs we had lunch and the currawongs hadn't got into them this time. As we continued up towards Du Cane Gap Angela saw something ahead take off into the bushes which we think was a quoll. As we got to where it was we saw what it was after, a dead wallaby half under the boards of the track that had been eaten. It wasn’t long then before we were at Bert Nichols Hut. Another person arrived from New Pelion Hut and asked if we had the snow shoes as people had been talking about us. We couldn't get the heater to work at hut. It was probably out of gas. While cooking dinner we had a bit of a spillage but managed to save most of it, cleaned up the rest and put a few extra peas in it that we had plenty of. We decided we would also have a hot chocolate.
Day 6
Bert Nicholls Hut to Pine Valley Hut
Distance: 10.2km
The other person was also planning to go up to Pine Valley Hut but we left before them. The weather had come in again and was more rainy and windy. We made it to the track intersection up to Pine Valley for morning tea. There were two swinging bridges up to Pine Valley Hut and got to the hut for lunch. While we were having lunch the other person arrived. We went for a little walk after lunch up to Cephissus Falls. Once back I got the coal fire going which took a little bit but once going was great and smelt like a coal train.
Day 7
Pine Valley Hut to Echo Point Hut
Distance: 14.6km
As we didn’t have far to go today we decided to sleep in a little. The other person left before us as they were planning to walk out today. It had rained a lot overnight and the creeks along the path had burst their banks and there was a lot of water over the paths. As we got to the first swinging bridge it was hailing a little bit. We had lunch at Narcissus Hut and as we were leaving the group we saw at Kitchen Hut arrived and mentioned there were a few people planning to stay at Echo Point tonight. The walk to Echo Point had lots of streams cascading down into Lake St Clair and also a few trees and branches had fallen over the track. Just after we got to Echo Point the group arrived and a person starting from Lake St Clair. The group decided to keep going and walk out as there were also another two people behind them planning to stay at the hut. The hut was pretty cosy with 5 of us in there with the coal fire going. We also had a nice sunset from the jetty looking out across the mountains.
Day 8
Echo Point Hut to Cynthia Bay
Distance: 10.1km
Again we had a bit of a sleep in. Once up one of the others said that rats had tried getting into food through the plastic containers and had also nibbled through zippers on their pack and also Angela’s and had also tried biting their face. It was the worst I’ve seen rats getting into things in huts. We left the hut first but then kept overtaking each other when we kept stopping for photos or snacks. There were heaps of fungi and also saw the ferry go past. We finished at about midday and took the classic ending photo before getting into some dry clothes and eating some hot chips. We then headed off to our accommodation at Mt Field and went to the pub for dinner.
Reflecting on the Hike
Total Distance: 97.4km
Overall both Angela and I enjoyed the Overland Track. Our highlights include the following:
· Favourite Hut Kia Ora as we had great views from there and was the only hut we had to ourselves followed closely by Pine Valley
· The side trips that we were able to do particularly the waterfalls and amount of water going over them
· The views when we could see through the clouds
· All the different fungi we saw
It was a bit unfortunate that it was cloudy for most of the hike and we didn't get to see many of the great views. At some point, don't know when, we would like to go back and do some of the other walks in the area such as the Arm River Track and do Mt Ossa and Oakleigh as well as going back up to Pine Valley and explore the Du Cane Range. We would also like to do the other multiday hikes in Tasmania.
Suggestions for those planning to do the Overland Track especially when in winter and there's snow.
· The person that took us around to Cradle Mountain used to guide on the track and the company said if you can see snow on Marion’s Lookout from the start take snowshoes. There was plenty of snow on Marion's Lookout when we started and was surprised we didn't see anyone else with snowshoes. Not having them slowed down a fair few people that we talked to.
· Be careful when walking on the narrow boards when they are covered in snow. Try to walk on the very centre of them or else the snow can collapse under them and could be easy to do an ankle.
· Take micro-spikes or yak traxs for when there is patchy snow or ice on the track.
· Check out the views from the helipads at the huts. Obviously when it’s not in use.
· Have good quality wet weather gear and warm clothing
· If you are staying at Echo Point Hut put everything including your pack into the metal containers. The rats eat through packs and plastic.
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