Rees/Dart – March 2012
The Aspiring National Park hosts this very popular scenic 4 to 5 day tramp. The contrast between the glacial fed Dart and the clear waters of the Rees are part of this diverse countryside.
A club trip took place over 4 days with 14 members, some new and some not so new faces making up the team.
The Glenorchy Motor Camp bunk room was the place to be on our arrival night, making for an easy start the next day with four vehicles, two at each end, swapping keys at the Dart Hut.We would arrive back at our travel vehicle, without the need for a pick up.
Most tramping people who get lost do so at some stage of their tramp but finding the start point can also be a problem as it was for one carload. A bit of pre-tramp excitement I guess.
Our party of eight started at Chinamans Bluff, Dart end with windy but pleasant overhead conditions. The walk beside the Dart River was easy going, while taking in the action of the many jet boats thrilling their passengers. The constant change of scenery from forest to open tussock to mountain views soon brings us to Daleys Hut for lunch. Sandflies are aplenty but its only the females that bite. With an afternoon of socialising the time soon passes. The forecast for day 2 is for rain and more rain and so we bunk down with wet weather thoughts on our minds.
A very windy night with an earthquake (some slept through it) made the hut shake.
True to predictions the rain arrived in the morning making it easy to know what to dress in for the day.
As we made our way across the tussock flats and along the water course tracks, the white waterfalls appeared, cascading down the mountainsides. The bush appears a vibrant green enjoying the drenching, sidestreams aplenty and the need for care when crossing. Its good to belong to a tramping club with experience and good judgement in the party.
Lunch break was taken out of the rain under the Biv Rock near Cattle Flat. With the rain still falling our stay was brief as more side streams were to be crossed before becoming impassable.
The smell of smoke from the Dart Hut gave away its near presence and soon we were in shelter once again. The busyness of people spreading their clothes to dry and the chatter of catching up with our other group in the hut take up the rest of the afternoon. As the rain stops and the rivers drop, we dream of a different looking day to come.
Day three reveals fresh snow on the surrounding peaks and a little sunshine. Bodies refueled and team photo (oops missed two) sorry Tim and Betty, we depart our separate ways. Our team soon encounters the fresh snow on the ground, then once across the upper Snowy bridge, it starts to fall. Who would want to be anywhere else?
Arriving at the Rees Saddle, the sun almost makes an appearance, while we have snack time. The initial steep descent into the Rees Valley is slippery, needing care as the snowfall begins to get heavier and the temperature drops considerably. A quick pace down valley to rewarm limbs brings us to our destination for day three, Shelter Rock Hut. The fire takes much coaxing to eventually bring the hut to a comfortable temperature. The bunk rooms are separated from the main hut by decking which was also the pathway for the local mouse population. Traps were supplied by the hut warden once advised of their activity and a new past time was created, watching which mouse would survive or not the setting of the traps.(Three dead mice).
Darkness again sends us back to the horizontal position, recharging our batteries for the last day. Day four, a light frost and the promise of a fine sunny day. Breakfast over, firewood replaced and with cameras clicking at the many magic views of the snow capped mountains we were off down the track on our journey to 25 Mile Creek. Early lunch in the sun and then open valley travel to our destination, Muddy Creek.
Our other party made it out safely shortly before us making for a remarkable trip with sun, rain, snow and great company.
Thanks to team members, Ann, Steve, Bill, Stewart G, Jim, Neville, Phyl,Tim, Betty, Robbie, Jac, Dave, and Jane
Maurice.
