Mt. Domett, 19th – 20th January 2013
It has been many years since the club has been to Domett from Chinaman’s hut, so it wasn’t surprising to have a group numbering thirteen attempting what used to be the old favourite.
In keeping with this summer’s weather pattern, the forecast was not perfect. However, it made good sense to at least be poised at Chinaman’s hut to give ourselves a chance the next day.
Just the casual walk up the gorge to the hut in perfect conditions, is a bonus, especially for those who had not been to this beautiful place before. One slightly unique feature of this particular trip is that in spite of being in quite a narrow gorge, we get a remarkably good view of almost the entire route that we will be following tomorrow as we approach the mountain. For some, this raises adrenalin levels. For others it may be spoiling their day somewhat as the size of the task ahead becomes more apparent as we get closer.
Total diligence Sunday morning with everyone on the way by 6am and the weather ‘holding’. By 7.15am the easy stuff was completed and the climbing began. Unfortunately, the ‘holding’ , mentioned above, turned out to be holding rain which gradually wasn’t being held any longer. Persevere we did for another hour or so, but with the rain becoming heavier, temperatures dropping and the cloud lowering, common sense prevailed. Back to the hut. Obvious disappointment by some, but also a feeling of relief by others who were caught out somewhat by the severity of the climb.
The wander back to the hut became a very strung out affair and while a brew was being enjoyed someone noted we were one person short. “Not to worry. He will have walked right past the hut as many others have done in the past”. So we pick up his sleeping bag etc and head off down valley expecting to find him returning after he had realised he’d gone too far. But no sign of him, all the way back to the cars . With the creek running a lot higher than it was yesterday there was suddenly a very different atmosphere as a small group of the most experienced trampers headed back upstream. The search was short-lived however, as the missing tramper was met just five minutes later coming towards us. He had apparently missed the hut and turned around just as we had predicted but missed the hut a second time just before we set out down the stream.
On reaching the cars, a very worthwhile debriefing was held to identify all the aspects of the entire trip that could be improved not only to do with losing a tramper for a while, but every other aspect of the trip as well. It was a valuable discussion.
Ironically, the mountain was laughing at us by this time, bathing in sunshine. However, it will be there for another day.
