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Published: November 30th 2014
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WILD TASMANIA...Cradle Mountain N.P...just bloody minded some may say.
I have always been determined...willing to go the extra mile...to pursue a crusade to obtain justice...able to overcome...to win against the odds...just bloody minded some may say.
Full of confidence...self belief...yeh...I can do that...anything I set my mind to.
All said one needs the body to be willing...mind power is never enough.
Our Cradle Mountain experiences started out cruisy...talk about well catered for visitors...but when I went past a sign "CAUTION...Track Not Maintained"...needed all my powers of endurance and determination to get through it.
There was climbing a cliff cause I had to...stopping in a forest catching my breath...puffing like there was no tomorrow...wiping the sweat incessantly out of my stinging eyes...muttering "You can do this...you kinda have to...what would Denise think?"
Certainly wouldn't be impressed if I gave up here!
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We left the Tarkine at Waratah...fantastic waterfall dropping from the centre of the village...entering Cradle Mountain from the north 'cause you have to.
Famous as a sojourn for honeymooners...yep we considered it back then...taken 32 years to get here!
Absolutely worth the hype...a Dancing Dave recommended destination...wonder if
that'll make the brochures!
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One of the most regulated sights we have visited.
Camping only allowed in certain areas...fantastic amenities blocks...lodges for the so minded...transport by regular mini buses to the sights to avoid accidents as the roads very narrow...drop off points to access walking trails...last stop Dove Lake for the iconic photos...mini buses to get back.
Wooden boardwalks snaking around the lake...across marsh and buttongrass...miles and miles of boardwalks...guess that means keep to the path.
Yet to climb you have to leave the wooden path...climbing between tree roots...basalt and dolomite...to crater lakes...through canyons...into the wild.
Can't seem to help myself.
"Back shortly" she's so used to hear me say.
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Second day we went to Dove Lake.
Best mini bus trip ever.
The driver just rambled...telling stories...just like jokes...very funny but I can't remember them.
From the carpark short stroll to the lake edge for the iconic shot...the twin peaks behind a glassy surface...grey sky and no wind...reflection superb.
Most travel clockwise or were we sheep that day?
Stopping at little beaches...on lookout rocks along the way.
A timber
boardwalk up and down around and about...snaking around and above the lake edge...through forests and grasses...between trees and rocks...an architectural marvel...talk about user friendly.
Dove Lake is like a kidney with these twin peaks looking down with a set of about 30 steps at the far end inviting the climb to the rock face.
So I had to do it...climb those steps and into a Tolkien forest...path snaking up.
Each foothold precise and small...between capillaries of tree roots...over rocks.
Any mistaken footstep inviting a fall.
One of the nicest tracks I've ever walked on...exhilarating and thrall.
A yellow hued crater lake before me...the twin peaks wall...looking to the lake below me...glad I didn't fall.
Denise is down there somewhere...wonder if she can see me standing tall.
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She was waiting on a little beach...happy to enjoy the view...then onward following the opposite shore.
A group of Chinese women unable to enjoy the peace and quiet...singing folk songs for miles as they ambled along.
We reach the boatshed. The Chinese taking endless selfies...me showing off in Mandarin...they look up in surprise...smiling.
Suddenly we are in China together...not on this
Tassie lake shore.
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One day I went back to Dove Lake and the sky was blue...sort of wanted to do the Dove Lake Circuit again but Denise wouldn't let me.
So we compromised and got back on the mini bus and got off at Ronny's Creek I think.
She went one way and l went another.
I want to do the Dove Canyon track...a half day walk.
The boardwalk snaking over buttongrass slopes...kinda surreal seeing endless boardwalks out here.
Then the wooden planks become occasional steps in need of repair...traversing gullies...a sign ahead...a rough path leading up.
"Caution...Track not maintained."
Track looks fine to me...twisting up the spine...starting at the sacrum...lumbar planes...trees gripping the vertebrae as I ascend.
At the shoulder traversing the scapula...pretty hairy up here...sign warning don't go near the edge...something about danger to kids...woooh...long way down...along a skinny bone...hugging the neck.
I'm not great with heights at the best of times...long way down...edge of a precipice...deep deep gorge to my left.
Guess this is Dove Canyon...guess I got here...guess this sweat in my eyes is 'cause its hot...couldn't be 'cause of fear.
******
Past the narrow bit...gotta climb the cervical...really steep.
The rocks sharp and shiny...sweat pouring off my forehead...head down...straining...just keep climbing...don't dare look down.
Reach the top...path to the left...descending into a forest...a ground bird running from cover in front of me...distracts me...what is it?
I stop and follow it with my eyes...suddenly aware I am panting uncontrollably.
How long have I been out here?
How much further to go?
I can't believe how unfit I am...years ago this'd be a breeze.
Pull off my day pack...fumbling for the zip...against a tree...drink bottle...having a sip.
I'm still panting...this is not good...time to have my solitary apple...aah...that's better...tastes good.
I think of Denise...her laugh...her caress.
Time to get back...no time to rest.
******
Seemed like an eternity then emerge from the trees...more boardwalk starting ahead...snaking over endless slopes of button grass...who built this?
Come to a fork...boardwalk up...boardwalk down...think.
Gotta be down...probably done a large circle...yeh...most likely down.
Still can't believe how long the boardwalk is...eventually at the bottom of the valley...even sections of wooden steps...talk about visitor friendly...consider the expense.
Waiting for the mini
bus...arriving...some walkers run up...push in the front of the queue...one guy behind me can't get on...the young queue jumpers giggling to their own tune.
Stop at the campground shop...ice creams...icy ginger beers...Denise outside the van sipping some wine...munching on chili crackers and cheese.
She smiles. "Ah you're back. How was it? Looks like you need a cold beer."
"It was fantastic" I said.
"Got you an ice cream and an icy ginger beer."
That was challenging...mmmm...fantastic...but good to be back.
Relax & Enjoy,
Dancing Dave
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RJT
Rachael
Cradle Mountain
This is somewhere I've always wanted to go to....this feels like a challenge to me! Tasmania is really a very beautiful part of the world.