Glacier Burn and Lake Sylvan

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Struggled to get out of bed this morning despite having abandoned the Thursday "recession busters" session early. They were just getting into the swing of things but I was too tired to join in really so I hit my bed at a sensible time (paying attention to Rob having told me not partake in the seedy side of town of course).

When I eventually did rise - only a couple of hours later than planned - a quick trip to organise provisions for the mountain treks and then off to Glenorchy. I hadn't yet decided on my target(s) for the day but there was a fair amount of rain about and the mountains were looking a wee bit ominous. I only just about had time to fit in a big one so I thought I'd head for Glacier Burn (shorter one) and see what the water levels were like.

Heavy limbs as the walk began in light rain. A Dutch couple had already warned me against going up the true left of the burn as it was impossible to cross further up, so I did indeed humour them and start up the true right of the burn. Only a few yards later, a wee tributary was impossible to cross so I wandered back to the marked track on the true left.

I started up the side of the burn and it swiftly became apparent that this is one of DOC's practical jokes. There is no track - there's just lots of bush to bash through. Good fun for a while but then indeed the going did become impossible so I turned back. Not really disappointing as I kinda thought I would have to. Back in the car and up the road a bit to see if Scott Creek would allow me access to Scott Basin. As I pulled up at the beginning of the track the rain quadrupled in intensity. I sat in the car and idly studied a map or two waiting to see if the rain would pass.

When it doubled again in intensity, I decided to go scout out the Earnslaw Burn track - not to follow it today but at least to find the beginning while I wait for the rain to pass. I did so and it looks only a tad confusing, so should be ok as long as I can find a dry place to dump the car. The rain was indeed clearing now but there was little chance of getting up to Scott Basin - not enough time. Instead, I drove on to the Sylvan road end just as the sun emerged through the drizzle. I marched off on the Lake Sylvan track.

Now, I say "track" but this was more of a stream / puddle / lake type of track. When you have thoughts like "ah - it's getting a wee bit shallower" you know the track is not dry. Anyway, on to Lake Sylvan (and very beautiful it is too). Then march on along the side of the lake on the Rockburn track. This time, the track is a mixture of fallen trees (over this one, under that one, climb through this one), gushing burns (jump this one, splash through that one, balance along a fallen tree with the help of a stout balancing stick over this one), and parts where the lake has decided it owns the track (splash through this bit, climb round that bit, lean over and swing myself round with the help of a stout branch at this bit). All great fun and I'm the only person out here and it feels pretty damn special even if I am in danger of becoming part of the lake.

Didn't quite go as far as the hut that I wasn't aiming for anyway but a fantastic walk in peaceful marshland that I believe is usually a wood. The limbs were feeling lighter again by the time I paused for a late lunch at the far end of the lake, sitting among the birds and the moody trees (perhaps moody as I was sitting on one of their fallen kin?) in complete peace and serenity. I love spending days out in the hills when no other human is anywhere to be seen. There's new snow on the tops every day at the moment so still don't know how much success I'll have with any of my chosen tracks over the next couple of days but time will tell.

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Comments

[Rob]

Soggy
Ordnance Survey eat your heart out... But there again it was probably the forerunners of OS that did the original surveying:-) Sounds a bit squelchy along these tracks. Watch out for foot rot!