Just returned from my first real overnight trekking trip to Tassies South East Cape Rivulet (24kms return) with great friends Jamie,Jed and Joel (this trip was also a first for these guys!) all 30 somethings and of average fitness!
The trip was well planned at the Shoreline Pub over a few ales and it became apparent what our roles would be! Jamie the chief organiser (always late!), Jed almost SAS qualified (He has read all the books!), Joel carpenter by trade the Mr practical of the group and then there is myself! I am the guy that likes to push boundaries, take risks and generally is responsible for 99% of resulting mishaps (Usually involving Jamie)and i always fish!!
Day1- Rendevue time 7:00am (6:45am for Jamie!) Bags packed and ready to pick Jed up at Sandfly! I had spent the night with a stomach bug so to say the least i wasn't feeling the best after a 3hour drive to Cockle Creek! But quote "wild horses would not stop me!" unquote.
Throwing caution to the wind we all decided it was best to experience first hand what it feels like to carry 25-30kgs 12kms! After 500m it became apparent that it was not going to be enjoyable! I thank the guys for helping me through the pain barrier several times in that first 6km stretch which consisted mainly of duckboards weaving through button grass plains and a slight ascent over the headland through to the entrance of the rugged Tasman sea its wild white wash resonating against our beautiful Tasmanian coastal fringe!
The theraputic properties held me in good stead for the second leg of trip which led us down the cliff along the beach of south east cape bay (Tip- watch the tide low tides mean that you can walk on the hard sand!). From the end of the beach you have a choice of two routes- around the cliffs or over a nice 110m at times near vertical climb slogging through mud, the rewards are with the views especially this one of Lion Rock!
Our choice was limited to the second option and on descent we were again making tracks along the high tide mark of another of Tassies beautiful white beaches! From the end of the beach it was on another 20minutes of walking through temperate forest until reaching the rivulet beach.A football feild of white sand encircled by an ice cold tannin stream was a sight to behold! We had arrived at our camp the South East Cape Rivulet!
Setting up camp was our first proirty Jed and i were bunking together and once happy with our arrangement it was time to explore! (Tip- Some people snore so next time we will all be carrying in our own lightweight tents!)
I explored the estuary studying snags,water depth,bait fish and tidal influence! It was clear that this water would be extremely fresh from the sandy banks as tidal impact is minimal! We boiled all water as a precautionary measure! It was also clear that this small stream had the recipe for large trout! Big populations of pretty fish,sandies,whitebait and plenty of coverage combined with low fishing pressure would create monster trout much like similar systems in the South East. (Tip- A float boat would be a necessity)I managed a small trout on day two from limited casts!
Meanwhile Joel and Jed were constructing chairs with mixed results! Jamie happily overseeing the operation sipping a bourbon.
What an intoxicating part of the world we were in complete solitude! Where else but in Tassies South East!
Day 2
Rise and shine my energy levels had returned and ready to take on the day ahead! Jed my room mate did not appear to be in the same frame of mind...something to do with the lack of sleep caused through my use of a heavy duty chainsaw during the night!
Breakfast cook up featured Jamie's dehydrated eggs and bacon which i found remarkably tasty!
After breakfast we ventured to the northern end of the beach to inspect surf fishing prospects along a reef that stretched maybe 100m or so into the sea! Conditions did not fair favourable no sooner had the bait hit the water it came washing ashore with some very powerful cross currents! If i were ever to attempt surf fishing again the weather would need to be northerly in order to minimise whitewash, as the beach gradient is a little less than i expected!
After a quick game with vortex ball we all decided to explore what lay upstream from the rivulet! After cutting through some sharp undergrowth we followed a well defined track which would lead to a little oasis up river! This unfortunately wasn't the case,(TIP-No matter how little the walk starts to be it always pays to carry an EPIRB or GPS!)we navigated our way up and down gullies, through streams that defied direction and some beautiful rainforests! We had reached the stage where the track was not so obvoius and it became a game of spot the pink,yellow or blue ribbon! The rules of the game where that if the person in lead remained stationary and anyone one else managed to spot a ribbon that person became the new leader! This game continued until there were clearly no more ribbons to be found it was here we rested,shared leached and admired the size of the eucalypt we had stopped at!Fittingly we named this walk BIG TREE walk,on returning back to camp we discussed reality of how disoriented one can become in this environment!
A rest and another game of hit the target with the vortex and the day was nearing an end....."boy the day went by quickly"! I had to have another crack at a trout so rigged with a surf reel 20pnd line and an old fibreglass rod i ventured to a one of only a fews accessible logs up river! First cast was met with a definate strike,this was soon followed by a nice pan sized trout!It was now nearing dark and time to retire back to camp for our last night.
Great company the space to think,reflect and share lifes thoughts in such a setting clears the mind! It exposes the obvious simplicity in life and is a necessary component for me to keep perspective on a sometimes complicated world!
DAY 3
Target ETA at the car would be 12pm which meant we needed to leave at 8am! 8:45am we were making tracks stopping for a few photo opportunities highlighted on the trek in! With the packs some 5kgs lighter we all appreciated now what a difference it makes to walking in comfort! Massive calves Joel led the way setting a cracking pace home and by the end of the duckboards (sore feet!) we were happily back at the car!A great pub meal at the dover tavern capped of a trip that will mark the start of many ! Thanks the three J's (Jed,Jamie and Joel!) awesome aussie blokes!
Next trip 4 day trek of the Walls of Jerusalem including Lake Ball for some flyfishing!Bring it on!
Beachy loves gettingamonstit!!!Tassie Rocks!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment