Big Hut Annual Pilgrimage – August 2012
After the drive to Middlemarch and a car shuffle we began the trip from the Lug Creek car park. The party of six spread out finding their own pace for the long journey up the 4WD track. The day was overcast with a fresh Northerly wind increasing as we approached the Rock and Pillar tops. Sheltered behind a rock at the snow line we refuelled ourselves and donned parkas to protect against the bite from the wind off the snow.Our route took us via Leaning Lodge ,which is now under renovation by the OTMC From the hut there is now a marked track which will be helpful in foggy conditions but it was clear for us with the snow firm to icy in places. Once on top our party separated to take photos and view this stunning landscape also meeting up with two members of the OTMC out XC skiing while on our way to Big Hut.
Out of the wind and a brew on it was time to settle down and catch up with Bruce Mason the hut warden. Bruce and the Big Hut Trust have done a grand job improving and managing the hut, with the reclading and other renovations the hut is now a lot warmer. If all else fails there is table tennis to get you warmed up. Last year two of our party from England (poms) played two from NZ (kiwis) and the poms won. A whole year we have had to suffer this humiliation. This year change of rules, we would play singles.I am pleased to report the kiwis won both singles rubbers returning the Big Hut TT trophy back to NZ.
The kitchen was the place to be ,with the evening meal cooking and the thermo siphon warm air system operating the temperature reached 9*c. With the main course over it was time for the pot luck deserts. Such a spread there was easily enough for all the five others in the hut. Some of the dessert I was carrying didn’t make it to the table as it decided to escape into my pack.(The things you do)
Retiring early to a warm sleeping bag listing to the wind attacking the hut thankful that I was not in my tent tonight.Noel and Robbie were up early to capture the sunrise in photo,returning later cold and wind battered. You have got to be keen.
Breakfast including some left over dessert was had before heading out on Bruce’s Hobbit Trail leading to Stonehenge and Museum Rock. Well wrapped up against the very strong wind we made our way to this very picturesque place. Cameras recording the amazing rock formations. The return journey with snow softening and head wind was a bit of a grind.But back at the hut after early lunch hot brew, pack up and down the hill with the wind unrelenting. Retrieving the car from Lug Creek car park we were at the end of another great trip to Big Hut.
Thanks to : Noel, Phyllis, Ann & Steve, (poms) Robbie & Maurice, (kiwis)
