A Magic Meal on the Mountain Central Plateau, Tasmania, Australia
By
CarrollEyre on 25-Feb-12. Waypoint GA4219
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Event |
| Container: | Other |
| Coordinates: | S41° 40.578' E146° 26.747' (WGS 84) |
| 55G 453869E 5386014N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 1133 m |
| Local Government Area: | Meander Valley |
/146.445783,-41.6763,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
Fine food, fine view, fine caching company
Fancy a meal on the mountain with commanding views of Deloraine and surrounding farmland way down there.
This event is for the walking and climbing cachers who love the Tasmanian wilderness and probably enjoy fishing as well.
What is involved is climbing for approximately two hours along the Higgs Track (my children's pace) uphill to Lady Lake hut, a leisurely lunch, a gossip, awards (Valerie has ideas!!!) and then either an idle wander around the highlands, a hectic tumble down the track or whatever your sense of adventure leads you on to.
Cachers will bring a meal to share , a story to tell and an attitude of happy adventure.
The lunch will start at about 1pm and finish about 3pm. Lunch is planned to be a sit down lunch on a long table on the verandah of the hut served on china (but neither matching and nor fine), metallic cutlery (neither silver nor errrrky plastic) with wine glasses (these will be plastic.....). Unfortunately we will be sitting on long benches rather than individual chairs but there is a limit to what can be carried up the track...
Recommended departure time from the carpark would be 9:00 if cachers are interested in the lunch alone. (this allows for a generous 3 hour ascent)
Be warned the track is steep and rough.
Steep means that the way up will involve 600m of altitude over approximately 2 km of track....a level of fitness will be required. The way down is hard on knees, ankles and hips.
There is little phone reception during the climb but excellent reception at the plateau.
Cachers will need to bring
A yummy meal
A first aid kit (you are responsible for your own injuries and misfortunes....the track is rough and steep......the leeches enthusiastic but they do not like salt)
Walking boots are strongly recommended.
Food to munch on while walking
A waterbottle
A warm waterproof coat, in case the mountain air is cool....
a beanie and gloves
Camping equipment if you are planning to stay overnight.
A real sense of adventure
Stories to share.
You may also want to bring a camera, binoculars, bird watching books or fishing rods.....
Provided (within limits)
heating facilities (for food), most likely a drum filled with heat beads plus the slow metho stove..
tables and benches
linen (basic table clothes...do not expect starched white sails....)
ceramic plates, cutlery and glasses (we have catered for 24 people)
some drinks including tea, coffee, cordial
toilet paper.....there is a pit toilet
dish washing facilities and hand washing facilities.
Who is bringing what....the menu...
| Caching party | The food | Other notes |
| CarrollEyre | French onion soup, garlic bread, bush donuts | 2 adults, 6 kids |
| Dippy | Cornish pasties and slices such as yummy ginger crunch, tasty muesli slice and delectable rich chocolatey slice |
overnighter |
| Redtag | Lasagne, chocolate and wine, what more can we want?!! (trout?) | Hopefully the heat bead oven will heat this adequately |
| 2y'stassies | Singing Hinnnie | A google search will make your mouth water! |
| Trimbletas | Sandwiches | 4 adults , 3 kids |
| OldSaint | ||
| Sam Carter | bushwalkers cheese cake | |
| DDT's | Schrodinger's Cat :-) | We'll have a stove to cook on... |
| Swampy | Cathy's fish, very yummy indeed! | Huh, the menu is a bit derailed |
| Hookline | Pasta salad | 2 overnighters |
| Nutwood | Ploughman's lunch, consisting of pork pies, potato chips, pickled onions and waisabi cheese |
one adult, one child |
We are providing a small drum with heat beads to cook/warm a main meal if someone wants to contribute towards the selection . Due to the fire ban we are only provinding metho stoves for use in the kitchen and some gas stoves. There are 24 settings and at this moment (Friday 17th) there are 27 cachers....We also need drinks (apart from some bubbly that I have to provide for Redtag whose leapfrog convincingly outhopped the CarrollEyres) and some cordial and usual tea and coffee. DomEyre is organising a hunt activity for kids.
...Val Eyre will be more interested in conversation than walking...Of course we have some awards........
How to get to Lady Lake Hut from Deloraine.
Mole Creek Main Road (B12),
Dairy Plains Road (S41 33.000 E146 33.452),
Western Creek Road (S41 38.276 E146 29.629),
Westrope Road (S41 38.013 E146 29.160),
Higgs Track (S41 40.004 E146 28.472)
There is a carpark at the end of trail but this fills very quickly due to its odd shape. The track can be a bit slippery and muddy so cachers may want to park at he junction and walk the track to the carpark. The foot pad is clearly signposted and the first 150m are quite relaxing, not taxing and then the track crosses the creek....and goes uphill.
The track is easily followed despite being steep and rocky......My kids (youngest was 6 on her first ascent) usually take 2 and a half hours but other walkers routinely do the climb in 40 minutes...
We are looking forward to a Magic Meal on the Mountain. And bring togs as the forecast is for quite warm weather......
Hints
Ynql Ynxr Uhg |
|
Decode |
Logs
I arrived at the bottom of the track sometime very early on Saturday morning (around 12:30 - 1:00am) and slept in the van. Awoke at around 7 and started my morning routine - breakfast then shower. Well, the shower didn't work so out comes the washing up bowl and a cup. I'm about to strip off and DDTs turn up. OK - I'll wait until they start walking before attempt #2.
Attempt #2 starts and OldSaint turns up. Geez, am I ever going to get cleaned up? He promises not to come anywhere near me so I can have some privacy. OK. Now clean.
More people arrive and it is decided to set off up to the event location. It now seems a waste of water and time getting clean, since at the river crossing, I managed to fall in when I went back to help 2y's across.
A long slow grind up the mountain (I think I set a new record of 3 hours with my unfitness and heavy pack) and rolled my ankle about 50m from the top but what a view when I got there!!! Now is the time I think that cleaning up was a waste as I'm soaking wet but my trousers are now dry.
Got over to the hut and took some weight off, waited a little while before breaking open the pack and starting on Lemon Salted Salmon and salad. Got the seal of approval from a few people with the salmon and was able to partake in some of DDTs cat for lunch. After lunch settled a little, out came the cheesecake which was also yum.
Tried to stay off my ankle as much as possible but managed a walk to the lake with red tag so she could try to catch the non-existent fish in the lake. We were joined by the French couple as we left the lake so we let them have the lake to themselves. Tea was cooked (salmon again) and lots of Dippy's slices and red tag's egg and bacon pie.
An early night and an early wake. A lazy breakfast and morning routine and soon I was heading back down the mountain, with a slightly less heavy pack.
An absolute rip-snorter event put on by CarrollEyre - I am still in awe of the amount of work that went into setting up this event. My thanks to everyone involved in both setting up and cooking. I had a great time and can't wait until the next one.
I decided that once I got back to the van that I would have a clean up, so out with the red tub and a cup, filled the tub with water, got out the soap and shampoo, stripped off and proceeded to wash myself. Just as I finished getting completely wet, wouldn't you know it? The Cradle Bus turns up!!! So 3 times in 2 days I was busted trying to get clean.
Attempt #2 starts and OldSaint turns up. Geez, am I ever going to get cleaned up? He promises not to come anywhere near me so I can have some privacy. OK. Now clean.
More people arrive and it is decided to set off up to the event location. It now seems a waste of water and time getting clean, since at the river crossing, I managed to fall in when I went back to help 2y's across.
A long slow grind up the mountain (I think I set a new record of 3 hours with my unfitness and heavy pack) and rolled my ankle about 50m from the top but what a view when I got there!!! Now is the time I think that cleaning up was a waste as I'm soaking wet but my trousers are now dry.
Got over to the hut and took some weight off, waited a little while before breaking open the pack and starting on Lemon Salted Salmon and salad. Got the seal of approval from a few people with the salmon and was able to partake in some of DDTs cat for lunch. After lunch settled a little, out came the cheesecake which was also yum.
Tried to stay off my ankle as much as possible but managed a walk to the lake with red tag so she could try to catch the non-existent fish in the lake. We were joined by the French couple as we left the lake so we let them have the lake to themselves. Tea was cooked (salmon again) and lots of Dippy's slices and red tag's egg and bacon pie.
An early night and an early wake. A lazy breakfast and morning routine and soon I was heading back down the mountain, with a slightly less heavy pack.
An absolute rip-snorter event put on by CarrollEyre - I am still in awe of the amount of work that went into setting up this event. My thanks to everyone involved in both setting up and cooking. I had a great time and can't wait until the next one.
I decided that once I got back to the van that I would have a clean up, so out with the red tub and a cup, filled the tub with water, got out the soap and shampoo, stripped off and proceeded to wash myself. Just as I finished getting completely wet, wouldn't you know it? The Cradle Bus turns up!!! So 3 times in 2 days I was busted trying to get clean.
Rated: for Overall Experience
This was a truly marvellous, magical and memorable event. Your effort put in to preparation was staggering - thank you. It contributed to such a special afternoon that everyone will most definitely remember for a very long time - thank you twice! It was so nice to get together in such a fabulous location - thank you thrice! Yes, I think it's also the highlight of my caching career - thank you a thousand times!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Well, what can we possibly say that hasn't already been said?? It was a fabulous event, from the venue to the company to the weather to the food to everything else! We had great fun planning what to bring (especially once SamCarter suggested that Schrodinger be on the menu!) and pondering whether we could get the Cobb cooker plus the things needed for overnighting up the hill! It was also fun to surprise Swampy as he was about to go about his morning ablutions, and even the uphill trek wasn't quite as bad as expected - although DD doesn't want it to get any steeper or longer!! Many many thanks CarrollEyre for all your efforts to provide such a wonderful day for so many cachers. Next year? Well, it almost seems like tempting fate, given that this year was so great . . . but we'll be there if it happens!
Rated: for Overall Experience
We drove down to Deloraine from Burnie on Friday thinking we might toddle up the mountain the day before the event, but with the weather being quite hot we changed our mind and camped the night at Meander Picnic Ground instead (bridge was still down so we had to cross the river on foot). Saturday morning, we ate a barbeque brekkie and were a bit rubbish with time management, so we arrived at the Higgs carpark at 9.45 to find everyone else's vehicles already there. Slightly embarrassed to be the last team to arrive, but halfway up the lovely forest track we caught up with a large group, so it was all good!
The track was not as difficult as expected; had doom-laden visions of a torturous ascent but it was fine, even lugging camping gear. Came out quite suddenly on the plateau to see the hut and a stunning view. Wow! What a magnificent place for a meal! Someone already had uncovered the nearby cache so we signed it and trekked off towards the hut, over ground covered with many lovely clear glassy pools of water.
Nice to meet everyone at the hut and there was a gobsmacking amount of delicious food; we were a bit late making our pasta but were staying for dinner anyway... DDT's roast impressed everyone...
After lunch, me and my partner Indy headed off with Dippy and SamCarter for a fantastic walk to Swell Nell. In the evening we relaxed on the balcony with wine and Dippy's delicious slices, watching the dusk. It truly was magical. Then a couple of French backpackers wandered up and were flabbergasted with all our extra food, they thought they were in for a dinner of instant noodles and were instead welcomed with a feast of pasta, salmon, slices, garlic bread, wine, etc...!!
The following day we walked with DDT's, Red Tag and Dippy out to Lake Nameless to grab the other caches and that was great too. We even made it back in time for ice cream at the honey farm (just!)
Thanks so much CarrollEyres for a fantastic event, and to you and Red Tag for going to so much effort carting all that stuff up there to make it such a great experience, we are so glad we attended. Thanks to the people we spent the day and evening and next day with for the company, and to the French couple for eating all our food so we didn't have to cart it back down, and thanks heaps nutwood for the frogs under my car. Cheers everyone!
The track was not as difficult as expected; had doom-laden visions of a torturous ascent but it was fine, even lugging camping gear. Came out quite suddenly on the plateau to see the hut and a stunning view. Wow! What a magnificent place for a meal! Someone already had uncovered the nearby cache so we signed it and trekked off towards the hut, over ground covered with many lovely clear glassy pools of water.
Nice to meet everyone at the hut and there was a gobsmacking amount of delicious food; we were a bit late making our pasta but were staying for dinner anyway... DDT's roast impressed everyone...
After lunch, me and my partner Indy headed off with Dippy and SamCarter for a fantastic walk to Swell Nell. In the evening we relaxed on the balcony with wine and Dippy's delicious slices, watching the dusk. It truly was magical. Then a couple of French backpackers wandered up and were flabbergasted with all our extra food, they thought they were in for a dinner of instant noodles and were instead welcomed with a feast of pasta, salmon, slices, garlic bread, wine, etc...!!
The following day we walked with DDT's, Red Tag and Dippy out to Lake Nameless to grab the other caches and that was great too. We even made it back in time for ice cream at the honey farm (just!)
Thanks so much CarrollEyres for a fantastic event, and to you and Red Tag for going to so much effort carting all that stuff up there to make it such a great experience, we are so glad we attended. Thanks to the people we spent the day and evening and next day with for the company, and to the French couple for eating all our food so we didn't have to cart it back down, and thanks heaps nutwood for the frogs under my car. Cheers everyone!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Well what can I say that will do this experience justice ?? .... I think my log would be pages and pages long telling of the tales that began 2 weeks ago when i joined CarrollEyre in only one of his 5 trips up this mountain to make this absolutely ridiculous idea of having a 3 course meal on top of a mountain possible. 
People call me crazy but Im not half as crazy as CarollEyre BUT my goal now in life is to be.
People say 'the skies the limit' but I think what a group of 33 determined adults, children and frogs achieved by climbing that mountain and putting together a feast that would make any xmas dinner look like KFC deserve a medal.
Congrats to everyone!! You guys make my life so enjoyable and to you and especially the CarrollEyres I say thank you
People call me crazy but Im not half as crazy as CarollEyre BUT my goal now in life is to be.
People say 'the skies the limit' but I think what a group of 33 determined adults, children and frogs achieved by climbing that mountain and putting together a feast that would make any xmas dinner look like KFC deserve a medal.
Congrats to everyone!! You guys make my life so enjoyable and to you and especially the CarrollEyres I say thank you
Rated: for Overall Experience
This was such an awesomely excellent day. I am sitting here thinking back about the whole event, and I just keep smiling.
Mind you, getting up the hill was even less fun than I expected (I'm not good with uphills at the best of times and the last few weeks seem to have played havoc with my fitness and tiredness), but then I kept thinking about Anthony of CarrollEyres and redtag lugging up all the stuff (and it wasn't until I got to the hut that I realised exactly how much stuff had come! Jawdropping!). When I staggered out onto the plateau and saw that beautiful alpine terrain and the hut, I just wanted to yell out an exuberant "woohoo" into the vastness ... but I was still recovering my breath! Over the next hour or so different groups arrived, and a junior nutwood offered very able assistance in the cheesecake construction (I haven't done a batch of four before, and I was a bit worried that the hot day might play havoc with the recipe's call for "cooling in a fridge" ... but things turned out fine). And what a feast we had. The food was excellent, with yummy quiche and pasties and coleslaw and sandwiches and ... (heaps of other stuff I can't remember) ... and, of course, the mysterious "singing hinnies" and the now famous -- and extremely delicious -- "cat" with vegetable accompaniment concocted by the DDTs. There was so much food that we were able to offer some to a visiting cohort of walkers ... who were probably a little taken aback by the magnitude of the group that had overrun the hut with such culinary concoctions.
It was great to meet up with so many different cachers, and I enjoyed having the company of Dippy, Indy and hookline on a trip out to Swell Nell where we enjoyed some more spectacular views. I would have loved to have stayed the night but I had to head back (the only good thing was that I made it down the hill in less than half the time it took me to climb it), and I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't make the effort to go for a swim in the lake on a day that was ideal for it (but only "kind of" -- I'm glad I did Swell Nell instead).
All in all it was just an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable day, and I can't thank the CarrollEyres enough for all that they did in order to make it happen. It truly was a magic meal.
Mind you, getting up the hill was even less fun than I expected (I'm not good with uphills at the best of times and the last few weeks seem to have played havoc with my fitness and tiredness), but then I kept thinking about Anthony of CarrollEyres and redtag lugging up all the stuff (and it wasn't until I got to the hut that I realised exactly how much stuff had come! Jawdropping!). When I staggered out onto the plateau and saw that beautiful alpine terrain and the hut, I just wanted to yell out an exuberant "woohoo" into the vastness ... but I was still recovering my breath! Over the next hour or so different groups arrived, and a junior nutwood offered very able assistance in the cheesecake construction (I haven't done a batch of four before, and I was a bit worried that the hot day might play havoc with the recipe's call for "cooling in a fridge" ... but things turned out fine). And what a feast we had. The food was excellent, with yummy quiche and pasties and coleslaw and sandwiches and ... (heaps of other stuff I can't remember) ... and, of course, the mysterious "singing hinnies" and the now famous -- and extremely delicious -- "cat" with vegetable accompaniment concocted by the DDTs. There was so much food that we were able to offer some to a visiting cohort of walkers ... who were probably a little taken aback by the magnitude of the group that had overrun the hut with such culinary concoctions.
It was great to meet up with so many different cachers, and I enjoyed having the company of Dippy, Indy and hookline on a trip out to Swell Nell where we enjoyed some more spectacular views. I would have loved to have stayed the night but I had to head back (the only good thing was that I made it down the hill in less than half the time it took me to climb it), and I'm kind of kicking myself that I didn't make the effort to go for a swim in the lake on a day that was ideal for it (but only "kind of" -- I'm glad I did Swell Nell instead).
All in all it was just an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable day, and I can't thank the CarrollEyres enough for all that they did in order to make it happen. It truly was a magic meal.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Well the words that come to mind for me is fantastic, adventure and really good grub. The words that come to mind for Sam were Wooooo Hooooo( the others that already were at the hut would agree with this one ), Awesome. Our little man loved the day.
For the preparation of the entire event, the CarollEyre’s have done an amazing job once again with every detail. This will echo through the logs of those in attendance without a doubt.
The company of everybody truly made this one magical meal on the mountain.
We met more cachers which is always a highlight.
A great big thank you to all for a brilliant Event.
), Awesome. Our little man loved the day. For the preparation of the entire event, the CarollEyre’s have done an amazing job once again with every detail. This will echo through the logs of those in attendance without a doubt.
The company of everybody truly made this one magical meal on the mountain.
We met more cachers which is always a highlight.
A great big thank you to all for a brilliant Event.
Rated: for Overall Experience
What a fantastic day out. What a fantastic effort by CarrollEyre getting it all organised! Timber tables, china plates, cutlery, even 20 litre plastic buckets for bench construction, all carted up the mountain, just for this event. The rest of us, groaning our way up the hill under a few kilos of food and personal possessions, could only stand in awe. 
To top it all, perfect weather was also laid on. This hints at some serious contacts!! The kids enjoyed the lake (see gallery), whilst I sat on the shore lamenting the lack of any suitable attire to join them; bit too public (and too many cameras!)to adopt the obvious fall back solution.
DDT's huddled over a mysterious container, which, when opened, revealed a roast meal of the ovine and bovine persuasion. No paradoxical feline at all!
Many thanks to all involved for a great day out. I've accepted a small bribe
not to include a picture of what the smaller half of nutwood looked like upon arriving home, thirteen hours after departing, but I'm sure it can be imagined!
To top it all, perfect weather was also laid on. This hints at some serious contacts!! The kids enjoyed the lake (see gallery), whilst I sat on the shore lamenting the lack of any suitable attire to join them; bit too public (and too many cameras!)to adopt the obvious fall back solution.
DDT's huddled over a mysterious container, which, when opened, revealed a roast meal of the ovine and bovine persuasion. No paradoxical feline at all!
Many thanks to all involved for a great day out. I've accepted a small bribe
not to include a picture of what the smaller half of nutwood looked like upon arriving home, thirteen hours after departing, but I'm sure it can be imagined!Rated: for Overall Experience
Hi CarrollEyres
Where do you start to describe what can only be described as the perfect caching event!
Maybe at the start; rose early as did many participants. There were those that rose at round 0400hrs and travelled miles to be there today and those that rose early but did not travel quite so far. Me I rose early and enjoyed the sunrise at Deloraine. Off then to do a cache at Elizabeth Town and on to the car park only to disturb Swampy again in his effort to shower (DDTs had earlier beaten me in this task!)
Cachers and a few described as muggles from all over arrive and the trek to the top began.
The kids did it easy, some running parts of the track (wish I could still do that); day pack bearers not quite so easy and those that were staying over night "laboured" the trek under the loads they bore.
The sojourn to the top was an enjoyable conversation with others all the way. The great flora through which we walked was magical - sassafrass and myrtle forest.
To break the the forest and arrive at the plateau only to be greeted by magical scenery was magnificent. BONUS!! Cache to be had. "MAGIC!" and we have not started to eat yet!
The venue was perfect, the meal more than adequate and superb! Company and stories extroardinary.
Visits by other trekkers interesting.
"Boob" discussion fascinating!!! Kids cooling off in the mountain pools entertaining.
Time to descend sad!
Thanks to the CarrollEyres for organising such a stupendis day. Red tag for her assistance with the venue preparations. To those that provided the magnificent food - our thanks! DDTs, I didn't even here the cat screach! Swampy, the salmon looked great! I just love Egg and Bacon Pie! How long can we go on. SamCarter cheesecake maker. They are just the ones I know about. 2y tassies and those hissing pancakes - great! A feast fit for royalty.
Thanks to you all for your friendship and companionship.
What about Tony's fitness!! Let's hope Lara and David get the caching bug! Hope hooklines tent stayed up over night and that sounds of ZZZds in the hut didn't keep to many awake tonight!
Thanks for a great day;
Cheers OldSaint.
Where do you start to describe what can only be described as the perfect caching event!
Maybe at the start; rose early as did many participants. There were those that rose at round 0400hrs and travelled miles to be there today and those that rose early but did not travel quite so far. Me I rose early and enjoyed the sunrise at Deloraine. Off then to do a cache at Elizabeth Town and on to the car park only to disturb Swampy again in his effort to shower (DDTs had earlier beaten me in this task!)
Cachers and a few described as muggles from all over arrive and the trek to the top began.
The kids did it easy, some running parts of the track (wish I could still do that); day pack bearers not quite so easy and those that were staying over night "laboured" the trek under the loads they bore.
The sojourn to the top was an enjoyable conversation with others all the way. The great flora through which we walked was magical - sassafrass and myrtle forest.
To break the the forest and arrive at the plateau only to be greeted by magical scenery was magnificent. BONUS!! Cache to be had. "MAGIC!" and we have not started to eat yet!
The venue was perfect, the meal more than adequate and superb! Company and stories extroardinary.
Visits by other trekkers interesting.
"Boob" discussion fascinating!!! Kids cooling off in the mountain pools entertaining.
Time to descend sad!
Thanks to the CarrollEyres for organising such a stupendis day. Red tag for her assistance with the venue preparations. To those that provided the magnificent food - our thanks! DDTs, I didn't even here the cat screach! Swampy, the salmon looked great! I just love Egg and Bacon Pie! How long can we go on. SamCarter cheesecake maker. They are just the ones I know about. 2y tassies and those hissing pancakes - great! A feast fit for royalty.
Thanks to you all for your friendship and companionship.
What about Tony's fitness!! Let's hope Lara and David get the caching bug! Hope hooklines tent stayed up over night and that sounds of ZZZds in the hut didn't keep to many awake tonight!
Thanks for a great day;
Cheers OldSaint.
Rated: for Overall Experience
What a magnificent event. Glorious weather, a great walk through a pristine forest, stupendous views around the venue, a meal which could not be surpassed and, most importantly, the great company of so many geocaching teams and their families. Congratulations CarrollEyre on offering this event and for the outstanding preparation and organisation. Sincere thanks to all who came and for the wide variety of excellent food. Today has been the highlight of our caching "career". We are indeed indebted to the CarrollEyres for an event to remember. Three Cheers and more!
We will have our own tent, so not fussed about the hut (though it looks like a really nice hut!) We will bring some pasta salad and chocolate cake. And maybe some sausages and vegie burgers as well, not sure yet.
Btw, my partner is vegetarian, so if those people making sandwiches, etc, could please make a few that don't have meat in them, would be good.
Btw, my partner is vegetarian, so if those people making sandwiches, etc, could please make a few that don't have meat in them, would be good.
Is there still room for 1 + 1/2 nutwoods?
I was meant to be in WA this week but the thought of missing this meal has caused me to alter plans.
Actually, to be honest, the total (and I mean total!)lack of available accommodation in Perth might have had something to do with cancellation of flights and the freeing up of next Saturday.
Anyhow, we're keen if there's still space. Sarah's just eight, but I've found the best way to walk up hills with her is to make sure I'm carrying the chocolate. That way she waits for me to catch up.
I was meant to be in WA this week but the thought of missing this meal has caused me to alter plans.
Actually, to be honest, the total (and I mean total!)lack of available accommodation in Perth might have had something to do with cancellation of flights and the freeing up of next Saturday.
Anyhow, we're keen if there's still space. Sarah's just eight, but I've found the best way to walk up hills with her is to make sure I'm carrying the chocolate. That way she waits for me to catch up.
Actually SamCarter would rabbit on about chaos theory and the butterfly effect and sensitive dependence on initial conditions, and how the further away you are from the day you want a weather prediction for the more divergence from reality you will get from the prediction. She will also discuss the effect of terrain on local meteorological conditions and how she has, in fact, noticed that the forecasts for flat Melbourne, seven days out, were generally not too bad, but the forecasts for bumpy Tassie not only should be taken with a grain of salt, but an entire Siberian salt mine's worth.
You may not want to strike up a conversation with her about the weather.
You may not want to strike up a conversation with her about the weather.
And the weather will be . . .
Closest I could get on http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/public/tas/northern_populations.php was 41.67, 146.44 - where it says Sat 25 Feb will be 7-21C with a 30% chance of 0-0.4 mm rain. We would prefer the 0mm! Things can change quickly in the 7 day forecast though (yesterday it said there was a 5% chance of rain on Friday and today it says 30% chance - of 0mm . . .). Perhaps Samcarter could do a statistical analysis of what is most likely to be the situation next Saturday for us!!
Closest I could get on http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/public/tas/northern_populations.php was 41.67, 146.44 - where it says Sat 25 Feb will be 7-21C with a 30% chance of 0-0.4 mm rain. We would prefer the 0mm! Things can change quickly in the 7 day forecast though (yesterday it said there was a 5% chance of rain on Friday and today it says 30% chance - of 0mm . . .). Perhaps Samcarter could do a statistical analysis of what is most likely to be the situation next Saturday for us!!
Well Samcarter, in the overall scheme of things, the weight of the trangia lids is probably going to be neither here nor there! But, if you would like to prepare them beforehand, or don't want to chance possible failing memory cells you are welcome to have them this week - the chances of us remembering them has improved significantly, as I have just created a list with trangia lids as no.1 and cat as no.2!!!
Pictures of inside the Lady Lake Hut are in the 'Gallery' ... Hope it doesn't spoil the surprise but it may help with people considering making it an overnighter
DDTs: I am happy to carry the lids (but not the cat). Perhaps I can arrange a pickup sometime this week?
At Trimbletas: compared to Mt Duncan (another mountain we climb fairly often) Higgs track is about 4 times longer. There are some steeper parts but otherwise the terrain is about the same. The forest is sassafras changing to beech and the fungi way more impressive, there is much more for kids to investigate en route. My kids have always found boulder work easier to manage than steady uphills because they use their arms as well to climb.
The Eyrettes are looking forward to meeting some of their heroes in high places....
The Eyrettes are looking forward to meeting some of their heroes in high places....
AT CarrollEyre... Sorry it's not that we haven't done something like this before...we did walk up Mount Duncan in the Dial range over christmas an a couple of other walks in that vicinity. My question is how would the terrain compare with the terrain going up Mt Duncan?? Kyi completed that walk with energy to spare. The only thing Kyi will be be carrying is a smile. I'm the pack horse. We are very excited to be coming. Looking forward to a great day.
Another trip up today and photos to add. Anyway.....
DDT's There is room and it is warm but a tent would be useful if you are uncomfortable sleeping in huts with other people
TrimbleTas, as Redtag noted my kids have been climbing hills for ages (Jasmine clambered up to the Scout Hut at cradle Mountain for her third birthday...) and Cathy's warnings are realistic. It is a long way up and hard work for little legs. So be ready for walking with little legs who will find the fungi, the sassafras, the rocks, the little waterfalls much more interesting than the destination. This means allowing plenty of time for the ascent with plenty of stops, plenty of food and an plenty of easy going attitude to enjoy the journey and also the destination. Dom has prepared a search game for kids.... Do not expect kids to carry anything, Jas still only carries her raincoat, whistle, a cup and a bag of lollies and she is a strong seven year old. Walking is fun with kids if you can wrap your head and legs around their physical needs. We will be leaving the carpark at 9 am at the latest i.e. (we will be there at 8:40) and my four kids will be there including my intellectually impaired teenager, we would love to have your company.
If there is a bush walkers alert from the BOM then I will postpone the event....
DDT's There is room and it is warm but a tent would be useful if you are uncomfortable sleeping in huts with other people
TrimbleTas, as Redtag noted my kids have been climbing hills for ages (Jasmine clambered up to the Scout Hut at cradle Mountain for her third birthday...) and Cathy's warnings are realistic. It is a long way up and hard work for little legs. So be ready for walking with little legs who will find the fungi, the sassafras, the rocks, the little waterfalls much more interesting than the destination. This means allowing plenty of time for the ascent with plenty of stops, plenty of food and an plenty of easy going attitude to enjoy the journey and also the destination. Dom has prepared a search game for kids.... Do not expect kids to carry anything, Jas still only carries her raincoat, whistle, a cup and a bag of lollies and she is a strong seven year old. Walking is fun with kids if you can wrap your head and legs around their physical needs. We will be leaving the carpark at 9 am at the latest i.e. (we will be there at 8:40) and my four kids will be there including my intellectually impaired teenager, we would love to have your company.
If there is a bush walkers alert from the BOM then I will postpone the event....
at DDT's ... Hi guys ... I was as the hut last week helping CarrollEyre carry stuff up and I would describe the hut as very modern and spacious... It has one wall with 6 bunk beds with mattresses plus i think i remember seeing another mattress (guess that makes 7) there is a fair amount of floor space that could be used to sleep on if you carry in mats. Im only going to stay if the weather is nice. Im also thinking that other walkers (non geocachers) will have disembarked in the morning and once we take over the hut at lunch time I doubt a non geocacher will even attempt to stay. I will attach some photos of the inside of the hut
at Trimbletas ... Hi to you too and its great you are coming along. CarrollEyre has done a great job in the description listing the basics but I have to admit I would be nervous taking my 5,6 and 11 year old up that hill. Its a relentless walk/climb and their little legs may struggle. The track gets a little slippery and rocky in places and if you consider its a 600 metre climb (thats almost half the size of Mt Wellington) it may be a bit much for the younger ones. Having said that CarrollEyres children have done it and he may be better to advise you as he has walked it lots of times.
- Cathy (red tag)
at Trimbletas ... Hi to you too and its great you are coming along. CarrollEyre has done a great job in the description listing the basics but I have to admit I would be nervous taking my 5,6 and 11 year old up that hill. Its a relentless walk/climb and their little legs may struggle. The track gets a little slippery and rocky in places and if you consider its a 600 metre climb (thats almost half the size of Mt Wellington) it may be a bit much for the younger ones. Having said that CarrollEyres children have done it and he may be better to advise you as he has walked it lots of times.
- Cathy (red tag)
Having not had an adventure like this before with the family. If the weather is not great ie. raining can anybody give us an idea as what to pack and expect please.
Us again. Just curious about whether most people are overnighting or walking back out?? We have noted that the hut sleeps about 7 and may already be full before any cachers arrive . . . but are not sure that we have space to bring a tent and sleeping mats as well as the cat cage! Then again, we might feel deprived to be leaving the plateau as everyone is settling in for the night . . .
Well, we actually have two trangia lids, but that means we have to try to remember twice as much - and carry it up the hill along with the cat cage!!
I think I'll probably head up Friday evening and maybe stay in Deloraine, and have an early start up the hill. I'd like to be able to do some of the caches in the afternoon, but will need to get back to Hobart Sat pm (will bring headlamp though in case it's dark by the time I'm heading off the plateau!) Def interested in Nell's Bluff and anything else that is manageable after lunch, unless anyone is an early starter and wants to do something before lunch (I'm not sure of the best timing, but I also know that it would be sensible not to be going too far afield on my Todd Malone). I have located two extra Trangia lids (if the DDTs remember theirs -- hint hint!), and so will have cheesecake for 18 or so, and will be aiming for 24 (I think I can track down another lid).
Just me coming and Im in for staying overnight! The hut is very cosy and like Dippy I don't want to take a tent. Rather carry necessities like alcohol and chocolate and my fishing rod ... Im keen the next day to walk to 'Lucy Weston' and land a cache and a trout. If the weather is good then I would like to continue on to 'The Nameless Snake' and 'The 3rd Pig's Hut'. Would love to do the round trip and grab Ironstone but don't think Im fit enough and wouldn't tackle that without Dippy . Ohhh so many places and caches ... Swell Nell is high in the list for that weekend and so is the Trig at Lake MacKenzie. Mind you I will probably be sooo full from the Magic Meal on a Mountain I will probably wake Sunday morning and roll back down the mountain to my car 
Im going to make a few Lasagnas for the meal (in foil trays}. It can be eaten cold or warmed over the hot rocks. Im also bringing some casked wine (the one in the foil bags). I will make scroggin for the walkers and hand that out at the start of the walk. The trout might be for Sunday night
The hut is very cosy and like Dippy I don't want to take a tent. Rather carry necessities like alcohol and chocolate and my fishing rod ... Im keen the next day to walk to 'Lucy Weston' and land a cache and a trout. If the weather is good then I would like to continue on to 'The Nameless Snake' and 'The 3rd Pig's Hut'. Would love to do the round trip and grab Ironstone but don't think Im fit enough and wouldn't tackle that without Dippy . Ohhh so many places and caches ... Swell Nell is high in the list for that weekend and so is the Trig at Lake MacKenzie. Mind you I will probably be sooo full from the Magic Meal on a Mountain I will probably wake Sunday morning and roll back down the mountain to my car Im going to make a few Lasagnas for the meal (in foil trays}. It can be eaten cold or warmed over the hot rocks. Im also bringing some casked wine (the one in the foil bags). I will make scroggin for the walkers and hand that out at the start of the walk. The trout might be for Sunday night
I'm also toying with the idea of staying on the Sat night, so that I can do nearby cache/s (haven't yet examined maps to see what's doable if I stay). I'd be counting on sleeping in the hut, as the cornish pasties and slices would take up my tent room I reckon.
Slices = ginger crunch, muesli slice, rich chocolatey slice.
Slices = ginger crunch, muesli slice, rich chocolatey slice.
My partner and I would like to come. We will probably bring our camping gear and stay overnight so that we can do the caches on the plateau. Not sure what food to bring yet.
We will probably bring our camping gear and stay overnight so that we can do the caches on the plateau. Not sure what food to bring yet.No, no cats in wilderness areas . . . then again . . .if it is already dressed and ready for cooking . . . will have a look what is on offer in the supermarket!!
We plan to bring meat of some kind - it might be hot or it might be cold and it might be cooked or it might be raw (sounds appetising doesn't it!!)
What the heck is Singin' Hinnie? The afternoon's entertainment?
Think I might bring Cornish Pasties and slices.
Edit: Just googled Singing Hinnies : sounds great!
Think I might bring Cornish Pasties and slices.
Edit: Just googled Singing Hinnies : sounds great!
We at the moment will bring mixed sandwiches. Our entourage will entail 4 Adults and three littlun's(5,6 and 11). Possibly more food to follow.
We will bring Singin' Hinnie and a few other bits and pieces- not quite sure what at this time. There will be 2 of us.
I'll do my best to get there, work and other stuff permitting. I'll bring my stove, exploding, gasoline just in case.
I'm unsure as to what food I'll bring. Might be a train smash....
I'm unsure as to what food I'll bring. Might be a train smash....
We have a trangia lid - which is probably small, but I guess that all depends on the size of yours! Happy to bring it along, but a reminder closer to the event would probably be a good idea (those memory cells just don't do their job at times)!!!
I'm hoping I'll be able to make this. I will do bushwalkers' cheesecake (I'm prepared to conduct a master class), but it would be helpful if someone could bring the lid of a small Trangia (I have one, but a second would be useful).
Our family will be there. Now trying to decide what yummy meal to bring... Any Thoughts what others are thinking of??
We look forward to being there - providing we can locate the start of Higgs Track! We are hoping for some sunshine, but T may have already used up his weather luck for this year! . . .
Hopefully not even work will stop me getting to this one!
And I agree with red tag; you'll need to do the fishing yourselves because I've seen her fly fish before!!!! (LOL).
Cheers OldSaint.
And I agree with red tag; you'll need to do the fishing yourselves because I've seen her fly fish before!!!! (LOL).
Cheers OldSaint.
I've been hugely looking forward to this event since carrollEyre came up with the idea!! Wouldnt miss it !! .. I will toss in some fly fishing gear if anyone wants to try and catch their meal ...
red tag (Cathy)
...red tag (Cathy)
