I can’t speak for Doug or Nick but I felt some relief paddling past – or more appropriately being blown past – the Breaksea Islands and into sheltered waters. The west coast of Tasmania is a bit like the black dog of depression, it lurks about in the corners of your mind taking up space. As we neared Bramble Cove, we passed, very quickly as we were getting blown along speedily by our kayak sails, a guided group with Roaring Forties. “You must be the group from Strahan,” the lead paddler said. We only had time to nod before being whisked past.
Bramble Cove has several beaches and, as they came into view, Doug also noticed the white streak of a track heading up the hillside behind the most westerly beach. We love a good walking track beside a campsite so we decided the westerly beach should be our camp for the night.
It was a lovely spot. White sand, the amazing surrounds of Bathurst Harbour, and a stream running with fresh water. After another long mid-40 kilometre day out on the open ocean, it was delightful to land on a sheltered beach with the sun still shining. Perhaps we could even dry our paddling clothes.
But, before we could relax, the walking track beckoned. At least it beckoned me. A “vigorous cold front” was forecast for the next day and I wanted to get up the view point when the views were good. From the eastern end of the beach, after jumping another fresh water creek, I found a little track that led up over Aylen Point and down to the next beach. At the end of the second beach, the track runs almost due north up through low vegetation – the views start right away – to a ridge that runs west from the saddle between Mount Stokes at 484 metres and Mount Berry at 651 metres, a couple of kilometres to the north.
Soon, after a very pleasant walk, I was wandering up the last 80 metres to the top from the saddle. The view is magnificent spanning all of Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey as well as far off islands and rocks out to sea. Doing what every good peak bagger does, I used my compass and map to identify various peaks and was also surprised to find I could see across the south side of Port Davey to Flat Witch Island near Maatsuyker Island.
Looking over the north side, I could see Nick and Doug almost at the final climb so soon we were all on top marvelling over the view. A quick walk back to camp and then it was time for the tents to go up and dinner to be cooked. It was 7:00 pm when we got back to camp and we had been on the go since our usual wake-up time of 5.30 am. It felt like a full day, and I went to sleep glowing with satisfaction.
No comments:
Post a Comment