TASMANIA : DAY 4 :OVERLAND TRACK : Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut (7 km, 3.5 hours)

Weather : drizzy to heavy rain

 
Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut

 

Pelion Hut

 

Pandanus, myrtle beech and mosses



 

 

Prepared for a wet day

Schlerophylious heathland

 

 

 Welcome break and discussion about our plans

The 5 hour side trip to Mt Ossa (1617m) is up ahead

 

 

Mt Doris with Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak, in the background

There is mixed reaction to climbing today in such suspect weather

 

 

Mt Ossa - an extra 5 hour return trip - not possible today

 

 

 Fortunately, the gods have made our decision simple : to walk on to the hut rather than scale Mt Ossa. Heavy rain sets in. Andy, one of our guides, climbs Mt Doris and then discovers that there is snow drifts on Mt Ossa, up to his thighs (and he's a tall boy!) and returns prematurely due to limited visibility and dangerous conditions.

 

A very relieved group in our warm hut, nestled in for an afternoon of reading

and cooking lessons.

 

 

 

The view from Kia Ora Hut to through the rain to Mt Oakleigh (1286m)

 

The picturesque Kia Ora Hut

 

M&M