Wednesday January 7

Journal:

Rain.  More rain.  Thankfully no wind and temperature's mild.  Late start waiting for break in rain.  Not sure where to go.  Granite is only 2 hours away (a waste of time), Hilltop is another 4-5 hours; possible, but a poor campsite I've heard.  If I push I reckon I can make South Cape Rivulet before dark (estimated 9 hours).  All depends on track conditions, fatigue and exposure I guess.  I really don't want to spend another morning packing a wet tent...

Tea @ Granite Beach 1:40PM.  Waited a while and tossed around the idea of packing in the day and camping, but that means a fair walk tomorrow, and if the weather turns nasty, that coudl be rather bad.  Screw it.  Want to make Hilltop in bursts of good weather.  Left Granite 3PM, Arrived Creek 5:30PM - didn't take water, decided to push on to South Cape Rivulet.  Reached Hilltop camp @ 6PM.  This campsite is very exposed to easterly weather and has no water.  Generally a total loss.  Now I know why people only stop here for lunch, then move on.  Rested 30 mins then pushing on.

(Arrive S.C.R)  Made it! Close shave - only 15 mins before sunset - too close.  I have to admit that I was extremely lucky the weather improved, not worsened.  As a final ironic twist, it began raining heavily just as I was mid-pole in setting the tent.  As this tent takes 2-5 mins to set up, much swearing and effort somehow sliced that time in half.  Time to put on dry clothes and find the yummiest thing in the food bag.

Osmiridium Beach -> South Cape Rivulet

Total 10.5 hours incl 2 hours rest. I think the South Cape Range traverse in only 6 hours might be a record. Half an hour faster than the outbound trip, but I was flying down the hills to make camp before dark.

I now proclaim myself "Marathon Man"!

Bloody wet tent pushed pack weight up. Must remember not to put wet fly in the trash'n'treasure bag again. Pulls centre of gravity waay to far back.