|
REBUFFED
ON THE FIELDS by |
Home to Index | |
|
A large high pressure area lay south of the Bight and appeared due to reach Tasmania very shortly as I set out from Launceston on March 16th. 1992 intent upon climbing peaks in the Mt. Field area. Away at 9 a.m. under a promising sunny sky, clouds began to gather as I traveled south and I deemed it wisest to push on to Maydena and tackle the Maydena Range first. I chose to attempt Abbotts Lookout, the highest point on the range and entered the Styx Road at 12.5 p.m.. Passing below the overpass (0.2 km.), I located the Roberts Road turnoff (0.4 km.) on the left between two piles of timber logs. The road was very narrow and hemmed in with regrowth timber most of the way. The grade was comfortable in second gear and the surface reasonable. I reached a major junction (6.3 km.) at a ridge crest. The road going straight on crosses the ridge to split up with the main section (139-140) curving westward. However, I turned left onto the other bifurcation which was obviously in greater use, and continued climbing up the northern side of the range. I was soon in cloud mist as the tree growth lessened and I came to the end of the road on the high crest (8.3 km.) at 12.28 p.m.. Tall T.V. relay towers occupied the crest with the summit rock cairn and its trig. point (1106m. – 3628’); so this was Abbotts Lookout. 1) Sheltered from the cold southerly which did nothing to remove the cloudmist or offer a glimpse in any direction, I lunched in the van. The crest was rather exposed and much of the earlier tree growth had been cleared, but there was ample stunted eucalypt regrowth with minor tea tree, hakea, waratah, bauera and cyathodes around.
Donning long pants and heavy boots, I set off at 3.45 p.m. along the road beyond the locked gate into the strong wind. The road was in good condition and passed around the eastern sides of Lake Dobson and Eagle Tarn to curve westward in zigzag fashion climbing gradually. At 4.15 p.m. I reached the junction of the Sitzmar Lodge branch and turned southward along it to pass the lodge and ski huts at 4.22 p.m. and ascend the Mawson ski tow trail. This brought me out onto an alpine plateau from which Mt. Mawson summit was visible in the west. The powerful south-westerly gale ensured me a struggle to reach its misty top (1300m. – 4267’ - 5 p.m.) and I lost little time in heading back as time was running out. I retraced the outward course and regained the van at 5.50 p.m. Up went the van hood in order that the evening meal could be heated, but it was pulled down again as soon as possible. The gale developed in force and I sought a better parking spot but it had little effect. I turned in at dusk, hoping for a weather improvement by morning to start out. Daylight was slow in materialising next morning after a wild night. Light
rain was falling, but it was the wind that dominated. The now intense
gale came in tremendous bursts, roaring through the trees and illustrating
the path of each successive gust with the bending of the branches and
the crashing of leaves. It was bedlam, and an ordeal to open a door and
get out. I had a cold breakfast and waited hopefully but even the radio
weather report was bad. At 8.15 a.m. I lost hope and left the gale, rain
and low mist behind and drove back down the road to the park entrance
where it was still raining and windy. My journey back to Launceston was
accompanied all the way by a strong sou'-westerly but the sky brightened
as I neared home. |
Home to Index | |
If
you would like more information on Keith Lancaster's diaries, please feel
free to send me an email. |