6-7 July 2024

Leader: Owen Cox

I used this trip as a test to how I went with a pack after my operation. After coffee at Clareville, we started up the hill towards Powell Hut.

Our first stop was Rocky Lookout in the sun. It was a bit early for lunch so we decided to have lunch at Mountain House. As we went over Pig Flat, the cloud came in over the ranges. We then plodded up the hill. There was snow below the bush line and quite a bit ice on the top of the vegetation, which was coming loose, and the ground had a good covering of small chunks of ice. The steps were iced up and looked nasty for going down. The hut was warm with a good fire going. The hut also has electric lights, so we stayed up a bit longer than normal in the hut until after 8pm.

The sunrise was spectacular but there was cloud behind the hut, over the tops. We had a leisurely breakfast and then started the walk up to the top. There was a bit of ice near the hut, so Maryann and Robyn decided not to go up. It turned out that the worst of the ice was near the hut. When we got to High Ridge the cloud had rolled back so Mount Holdsworth was clear although the hills further west were still covered. It was easy travel to the top as the snow was not deep. After photos on top we headed back to the hut.

We spotted the Jumbo party climbing out the saddle onto Mount Holdsworth as we dropped past High Ridge. We had a snack at Powell Hut and then left for the walk down after catching up with the Jumbo party. As expected, the top steps were pretty nasty with the wooden steps totally iced up so the first bit down was very slow. We met Tony, Patrick and Ben (who were heading up to Powell Hut) about halfway down to Mountain House.

This was a great weekend, and I was especially happy to have no problems with the hill or my pack. Only blip was from me was consuming some past use by date dehy (or UHT milk). Spoiled the drive home! The remainder of the old dehy was binned when I got home.

Those on the trip were:

Owen Cox, David Williams, Mark Robertson, Maryann Bugg, Robyn Wilson

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.