Well as expected it was an absolutely freezing night! The fire did absolutely nothing to stop the cold because without the deflectors it just goes straight up the chimney. Not even standing a centimetre from it could you feel any heat. Even Michael admitted it was the coldest night he had endured. There was frost on the grass in the morning. We were just soooo cold! I had everything I brought with me on - puffer, thermals, tracksuit, fleece, gloves (2 pairs!), 2 pairs of socks, a sleeping bag liner, my beanie - AND I had my waterproof jacket as an added liner - AND I was still FREEZING. Physically shivering.
We went to sleep at 830pm and I was awake again at 1030. The fire had died so I put more wood on it, but of course it did no good.
So as a result we didn't get up before 730am, which put us eventually starting at 930am. In fact it was warmer outside the hut to have breakfast than in it. I am over the 'heritage' experience. Knock the huts down and put up something with properly sealed floors, insulated walls, nowhere for antechinus to get in, proper food storage and better crockery - not rusted tin!
Once we set off it was essentially straight up - all day! Such a gruelling slog. 600m incline in the first 3 km. But most frustrating was the fact you go up, then down, then up, then down - why the down if we have 1100m to climb out of the gully?! So annoying.
I was absolutely exhausted. Karen and Russell and I walked together pretty much the whole time, except for the very end. Karen's feet were absolutely killing her, so she was slower than normal, and stopped much more frequently.
We had agreed to wait for Michael at the junction, which was 7kms in. We got there (I was first) in 3 hrs. We started to have lunch and then the ranger's vehicle came flying up in a dust storm towards us.Turns out they were heading down to Colwell's to restock the wood (just as well as its nearly all out!). We told them to look out for Michael. Next thing we knew they were back - with Michael! He stopped for a break and we set off to do the final 10kms.
About 5kms in, I was in the lead, when I heard the ranger vehicle again. Yup - it was Michael! He'd walked about 2kms and they'd picked him up again. he took my pack and I walked the final 5kms back. Still lots of ups! Oy ve.
I arrived at 3.10pm having done the 7 1/2 hr walk in just over 5 1/2 hrs. Karen turned up 10 minutes laster and Russell another 25 after that.
The cottage is quite nice - shower sort of warm, but welcome after 4 days. The combustion store is a cracker and we are very nicely warm. The cottage is surrounded by lots of wallabies and joeys. We are enjoying a lovely meal of steaks and a great relax after a lovely walk.
Despite the cold and the dodginess of the huts, this has been an absolutely brilliant walk! 65kms in 4 days....
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