Day 3 - Australia's Ten Peaks Walk

Sunday 14 March, 2021

Thredbo to Rams Head and Rams Head North

The forecast wasn't particularly encouraging. Mike has lived in the mountains for most of his life. We were guided by his decision. 

9.30 am 

A chilly, foggy, 20 min ride on the chairlift, to the beginning of the trail.

Frozen, but raring to go!

 

10 am 

Once we left the designated trail  the vegetation was very much a "mosaic of heathland, grassland, herb field and bogs."

Google description - "In the alpine zone, the vegetation reflects drainage patterns of water and cold air, as well as variations in the soils, topography, and degree of exposure. The plants are mainly ground-hogging and no more than a metre in height.The soil is shallow.Stony on peaks and ridges, loamy on the gentle slopes and peats in the low lying bogs"

I found these 'delicate' looking, tiny plants, fascinating, given the foggy conditions and they were dusted with dewdrops. There were endless varieties. I was often lagging behind enjoying them. There was a need however, to keep close throughout the day,

A second small waterfall.

 At about 10 am we left the raised path. We were reliant on Mike's knowledge and compass for the remainder of the day.  I knew Mike knew his stuff, but it was comforting to see Dave using his compass and map, and agreeing with Mike's decisions. The fog was limiting visibility to a minimum.

Half an hour later, giant rock monsters loomed out of the fog.

Back packs were dropped here. We continued on to make the ascent of Rams Head North.

11.30 am

5 peaks now bagged!

Lunch time.

Compass setting.

As we departed, the foggy mist recommenced their games.

12 pm

 

Note - 12.15 pm

And .....   12.16 pm

Half an hour later the scramble to Rams Head was in front of us.

1.15 pm - Peak No 6 bagged. 

Descending back down to the fog.

Snack time.

Definitely a now you see, now you don't moment, when we looked back towards Rams Head.

2 pm  - the descent was very much follow the leader and watch your footing. The heath plants were so thick that one had no idea how deep each footstep would be. The spagnum moss bogs gave us a spring to our step, as we tried to avoid the many shallow water catchments.

Here we are bi-passing Rams Head North, on our return route.

3  pm - the fog is still with us, but now it was just a 50 metre walk to the chairlift, for our descent to Thredbo and our car. 

I'm not exhausted, just posing for a photo for Ben and Nora's book.

Wow, wow and wow! What a sensational experience this day had been for me. How wonderful to be able to experience this magical alpine world in its many moods. Totally exhilarating from go to woe!

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