Another Overland Odyssey

Sacred Geography: A Pilgrimage Without and Within # 4

Walking The Overland Track

(www.taswalkingco.com.au)

Day 1 - Waldheim Hut to Barn Bluff Hut. Weather - cold, wet and windy.

Pandanis in the mist.

First forest and pause with just enough time for the first hungry leeches to attach! 

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

Cradle Lake boat shed. 

(Photo Kerry Stopher)

Huddle up old mates.

The crew with Cradle Mountain in the background. 

Back into the wind and rain after seeking refuge in a wild weather pod. 

(Photo Sue Moorhen)

Day 2 to Pine Forest Moor Hut. Weather - mild misty rain with some clearer patches.

The Overland nursing home!!

At the turn off to Lake Will. 

(Photo Sue Moorhen)

(Photo Kerry Stopher)

Approaching Lake Windemere.

Back in the forest.

Stretching after another long day's walk!

Day 3 to Pelion Plains Hut. Weather - mild misty rain gradually clearing.

Through majestic rainforest and gentle button grass plains.

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

Trees.

Trees!

And more trees!!

Mt Oakleigh.

Pelion plains and Mt Oakleigh from another perspective.

The walk takes its toll!

Day 4 to Kia Ora Hut (via Mt Ossa). Weather - mild, clear and sunny.

Backpack convention.

Pandani sentinels.

One of many majestic old King Billy Pines. 

(Photo Michael Bachelard)

The morning light shines through.

(Photo Gabrielle Lewis) 

Stairway to heaven!

(Photo Gabrielle Lewis)

Lunch beside Mt Doris.

The Karate Kid of the Overland - in gaiters?? Mt Ossa in the distance.

Climbing Mt Ossa with Mt Doris behind and Pelion East in the background.

Mt Ossa bonsai.

A view from the top.

(Photo Sue Moorhen)

Clambering back down.

Cradled by crags of

scoured ancient rock, stern and wise

they watch us pass through.

(Photo Sue Moorhen)

Heading back to Pelion Gap on our way to Kia Ora Hut. 

(Photo Gabrielle Lewis)

Day 5 to Windy Ridge Hut. Weather - misty rain clearing to bright sunshine.

Breakfast in Kia Ora.

Cathedral Mountain.

'Open, eyes of the heart, begin to see

The tranquil, vast, created mystery,

In all its courts of being laid awake,

Flooded with uncreated light for mercy's sake.'

-- from James McAuley, A Letter to John Dryden

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

(Photo Karen Woolford)

The Mersey River above Hartnett Falls.

Day 6 to Lake St Clair. Weather - misty soaking rain.

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

Bridge over the Narcissus River.

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

Waiting for the boat at Lake St Clair.

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

The triumphant Turbo Chooks as we came to know ourselves. Named after Tasmania's fast running native hen!!

(Photo Michael Bungay Stanier)

Celebrating at Du Cane Brewery back in Launceston.

This was our fourth time walking the Overland Track, and every time we find it amazing and inspiring. And to walk in company with others who are also paying deep attention and savouring the experience is a wonderful gift. We hope it's not our last visit to this vast landscape which teems with life and yet conveys a sense of profound patience and peace. 

(Cathedral Mountain - Kerry Stopher)