Bert Nichols to Pine Valley (day 5)

Here splits the group of people that has been following each other day after day. There are goodbyes and contact exchanges. Trail brings people together, inevitably. Fighting with your weaknesses and witnessing others struggling too makes you appreciate the company. We are no longer feeling defeated if something goes wrong, we take it naturally, the blisters, the soar feet, the injuries and all the unexpected things that always happen. We also appreciate every accomplished part of the trial and we enjoy every night spend in the shelter with people sharing their mutual struggles. We understand the rules and we obey.
For example, it is an unspoken rule that you do not ask for food or water on a trail. All bushwalkers must carry their own and all the supplies are usually calculated exactly for the effort and time. Only in critical situations you ask others to share their supplies.

 

Cephissus Falls by Pine Valley

My knee was more becoming more painful every day. I was not recovering, getting worse each day. At this stage I decided to join in Steven and his son Mat. I gave up the idea of walking alone and decided to follow their pace. They have been very kind to me since we met at Windermere. At Kia Ora we were sharing same bunk bed and they cooked a breakfast for me (few spoons of porridge – very good energy food before hitting the trail in the morning). Mat was carrying a lot of photo equipment with him.He was a passionate photographer and a very talented one. Both of them they were on a father-son bonding trip and it was nice watching the two of them interact, a really pleasant company. I could not have asked for more.

Cephissus Falls by Pine Valley

Birthday magic continues - Bert Nichols





view from Bert Nichols hut - March 2012

I shared my excitement about the unexpected date on my birthday evening with the guys. Needlessly to mention that I was a bit anxious about going to the Snake’s Point in the dark to meet up with a stranger… But there are always to sides of the story and I prefer looking at the bright side each time. I have never been disappointed taking this approach so far. So comes 22:00 o’clock and I was headed towards the darkness equipped with my headlamp and positive attitude.

The birthday present happened to be ....a home baked cup cake. It wouldn’t be anything unusual if not the fact that we were in the middle of the Tasmanian wilderness and we have met for the first time just few hours before. It was soooo cute.  The most memorable birthday present ever. It tasted damn good after days of eating almost nothing ;).


The sky was clear, the stars and the moon giving enough light to feel comfortable without using our lights. The guy was a charming Ecuadorian, with a nickname “Loco”. There under Tasmanian sky we made a new friendship that was to last long after. We knew our ways will take us apart now. I was taking a side trip to Pine Valley and he was going straight to the Narcissus Hut to catch a ferry.

Birthday magic on the way from Kia Ora Hut to BERT NICHOLS Hut (Overland day 4)

Day 4th turned to be my second rainy day. Considering the Overland Track statistic says that 3/5 days are rainy/wet no matter what season, my first two sunny days were a encouraging start. Yesterday it started raining around half way through to the Kia Ora hut and it did not stop yesterday, not today.

 

Kia Ora Hut, source: Nele&Andrew around OZ

 

It was a shame as Kia Ora is placed in near neighbourhood of Mount Ossa -  the Tasmania's highest peak. Upon my arrival I could hardly see above 30 meters distance, everything was covered in a fog and puring rain.. otherwise the view would have been stunning.



Not quite 360 degree view from top of Mt Ossa (Tasmania), source: Wikimedia

There were several overlanders who took their chances to get to the top. They returned all beaten up and wet.. The terrain is difficult enough in good weather conditions. Never mind in bad weather..

As we were sitting and chatting away the rangers mentioned that there are many accidents happening as people tend to overestimate their chances in getting over to the top. Many end up injured. Some end up going there .... and never coming back..

 

Mount Ossa (Tasmania), source: Wikipedia