Mintaro – Dumpling Hut (18.5 km)

Tuesday, March 12: Some low cloud at first, afterwards sunny throughout

GPS Tour
Youtube video

Fog blankets the Clinton Valley in the early morning

The republic of non-snorers had its first success last night; except for one snorer who had slipped in, and Mark who snored a little around 6:00, we were 90% or more snore-free.

So the wake-up call was just after 6:00 when people started to congregate in the kitchen. Had my breakfast and let most people leave before me, before brushing my teeth and sending an OK with the spot. Just after a couple of posh hikers arrived to check out our digs, I took off up the track. Longer conversation with Ken, the Scotsman, about economics, and then I charged on up the pass. Lots of photo ops (bracketed panoramas without the pol filter) from the view of the Clinton Valley end onwards, and I made full avail of them, also on the other side, down the pass. We had stopped at the loo with the view and my batteries had finally run out just before, so apart from a drink of water & an eat of the chocolate, a battery change was on the agenda. The independent walkers shelter was a bare room. Was this so in 2009? I remember seeing snow probes & some seats, but perhaps Mel & I had just been a bit naughty.

Waterfall on the way down from Mackinnon Pass, close to the Roaring Burn

Spectacular rockfall that has now blocked the track to the Sutherland Falls was visible from most places. Photographed a number of the wooden stairs and waterfalls in a stream that runs into the Roaring Burn (but not the Roaring Burn itself, which comes later and is more of a rockfall itself at the moment. It has to be crossed on a major swing bridge).

Down at the tearoom (not far at all from the view of the Dudleigh Falls) there was not much in the way of tea & coffee, but it was enough. I was the first there, followed by Mark, Franklin, Kobi & Andrea, and then later an Englishman. Had three cups of tea and lunch, and then we were ready for the track again.

Sutherland Falls. The two upper stages still visible from the main track

Shortly after the turnoff there was an opportunity to see the two upper stages of the falls so they were photographed, then a continual slog for thirty minutes or so to reach the hut. The first few arrivals had distributed themselves left, right & centre, so I asked two young Israelis, Ziv & Asaf, whether they snored – which they negated – then we moved into the dorm they were occupying. Later we took on a Belgian guy as well and while I was waiting for Alissa (who I had reserved one of the single, non-bunk beds for), sent the evening OK with the spot. Then it was down to the river to recapture the idyllic scene, this time as a panorama. But the sandflies! Everywhere! Left hand is swollen beyond recognition, nothing much helps.

Met warden Ian, who definitely was the guy we had in 2009. Dinner will follow the Bushman anointment. ISS appeared again later in the evening but most people were abed in anticipation of an early waking for the last day.