Anne Circuit: Tortoise's Epic Adventure LARGE PHOTOS

[Snowzone]

Is this you tortoise?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6JeQPDg8vU

cheers

Peter

lol; does this mean Icefest was the hare?

[Tortoise]

Thanks, everyone, for your encouraging comments. In the end, the writing of this thing was almost as much a marathon as the walk itself. It turned into a mini writer's workshop with a friend on the other side of the world. I'd taken copious red pen to the book he's just finished, and this report gave him the opportunity to pay me back! I learned heaps about writing, as he made me clarify so much, rearrange things for better flow, change the boring bits, cut out the unnecessary bits, and use verbs instead of adjectives wherever humanly possible etc etc.

My computer has now crashed - I expect due to the effort expended in producing the report - so I'll be restricted to access at libraries for a while.

whynotwalk: Unfortunately this computer won't let me access the youtube clip, but I wait with bated breath for the opportunity to watch it.

lol; does this mean Icefest was the hare?

Lol snowzone - would you believe I never thought of that??

Thanks Tortoise, a very inspiring report. Really enjoyed the photos and the story to go with them! Interesting you found the normal route easier to come down than the back door route on Anne. I did it from the back after running away with my tail between my legs from the front door.

Thanks, Snowzone. I'm not convinced we found the back door - more like the fire escape, I think!
Did you go up from the west, or was it more like from the north?

That was an excellent trip report and some stunning photos.
Glad to hear you conquered you fear of airy places with bugger all to hang on to. ( quite a reasonable thing to be concerned about IMHO!! ). Thanks for the report.

Thanks for the kind words! Just to clarify, I didn't conquer any fears, but I did face them.

[Tortoise]

My "will-I-won't-I" place is PB. I'm wondering whether the body is as willing as the spirit!?

Thanks, wnw. Yes, PB keeps quietly poking its head up for me too, but I haven't really looked into it yet - it's just seemed to be the realm of Mountain Leapers. But as you say, a fair breeze and all that...

[icefest]

It's more the distance icefest. The mountain itself holds no fears for me (I've been up Fedder). But a 7-10 day trip, the weight I'd need to carry, and the long days combine to scare my (60+ yo) bones and joints.

You could do it as a stepwise approach. Make a food cache at South Cape Rivulet or at granite beach and then make it a longer walk bunny-hopping over that.

Or the same over the southern range.

[icefest]

lol; does this mean Icefest was the hare?

I wish; the cheese and vino was nowhere near that good.

[north-north-west]

PB isn't too bad if you come up from the lagoon.
The first limestone bit is mean, but there is no scrambling.

It's more the distance icefest. The mountain itself holds no fears for me (I've been up Fedder). But a 7-10 day trip, the weight I'd need to carry, and the long days combine to scare my (60+ yo) bones and joints. But ... it's a gap in my CV ... so "never say never".

There are plenty of campsites en route on the circuit, so there's no need for long days. Much of my trip was done in half day bursts thanks to the weather not being entirely co-operative.
Of course, that does mean maybe a bit more food but, even with the amount of time spent stuck in the tent (mostly at leaning Tea Tree Saddle), I was only out for ten or eleven days.

[tigercat]

Great report and lovely photos Tortoise and Icefest.

[Taurë-rana]

Lovely story Tortoise, I knew you could do it. Fedder no problem then if you take the right Mountain Leapers with you! And a rope for comfort.

You're back then obviously? I'd like to do some smaller hills and see how my knee goes - orthopod on the 27th of April but I need to have something to tell him. Scrubbier and not so steep may be ok for me.

PB, yes Peter, long walk! I struggled with it when I was 20 but then I was pretty unfit.

[icefest]

Yay! The elf and tortoise gang are back together!

[Snowzone]

Thanks Tortoise, a very inspiring report. Really enjoyed the photos and the story to go with them! Interesting you found the normal route easier to come down than the back door route on Anne. I did it from the back after running away with my tail between my legs from the front door.

Thanks, Snowzone. I'm not convinced we found the back door - more like the fire escape, I think!
Did you go up from the west, or was it more like from the north?

From the North West side. There were cairns within the gully. I do enjoy Mount Anne, She is just such a spectacular looking mountain no matter which way you look at her.

[Tortoise]

Lovely story Tortoise, I knew you could do it. Fedder no problem then if you take the right Mountain Leapers with you! And a rope for comfort.

You're back then obviously? I'd like to do some smaller hills and see how my knee goes - orthopod on the 27th of April but I need to have something to tell him. Scrubbier and not so steep may be ok for me.

Thanks, Elf. Bring on Mr Big!

Back for now, but maybe not for long. Will be in touch.

[Tortoise]

Yay! The elf and tortoise gang are back together!

Stay tuned for more tales of finding the scrubbiest possible route anywhere.

[icefest]

Stay tuned for more tales of finding the scrubbiest possible route anywhere.

Was it the cutting grass or scoparia that was the "easy" route?

[north-north-west]

Yay! The elf and tortoise gang are back together!

Stay tuned for more tales of finding the scrubbiest possible route anywhere.

I defy you to top some of mine.

No, actually, I don't. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

[Tortoise]

Is this you tortoise?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6JeQPDg8vU

cheers

Peter

That's brilliant, Peter! I finally got to see it. I didn't exactly break the tape, but I came in a very contented second.

[naturelover]

Hi there Tortoise, I loved every word of your report - it was wonderfully entertaining. Good on you both for the writing and the doing. Oh yes, and I also loved the photos!!! Fantastic job both of you. Bravo.

[Tortoise]

Thanks, naturelover.

[tibboh]

That was a great read tortoise. I could really feel your anxiety. Glad it all went well for you both, I'm sure the memories will grow fonder as time goes by. Awesome pics both of you, thanks so much for the entertainment.