Gell, Chimera, Hippogriff

[naturelover]

This last weekend, despite a miserable forecast that unfortunately became a reality, a group of six of us climbed Mt Gell and its companions. The fact that the bush was thick and that each twig and branchlet carried a dangle of possibly attractive, but also drenching, droplets did not lead to the most comfortable journey. Due to a variety of factors, the trip was a very slow one. I've put our times in, as they offer a very different picture to the impression one might gain if one only read the Abels book in researching this mount.
Pics and full report in my blog http://natureloverswalks.blogspot.com.au
Hope you enjoy

[eggs]

Glad you all survived.
I try to avoid really bad weather..
Would love to get into the Cheyne Range area though. Have you thought about dropping down off the plateau north of Hugel?

[naturelover]

Yes eggs, I am going to do that in March next year, as I haven't yet climbed to the high point of the Cheyne Ra. We'll go over Hugel and down to Lake Hermione, up to the high pt and out same way.
I'd have loved to avoid that bad weather, and very nearly backed out, but decided I wanted those peaks anyway, quite literally "come hell or high water". Many pundits said it wasn't going to be as bad as the initial forecast said, so I took a chance.

[icefest]

As usual, I read your article via RSS,

Thanks for all the lovely stories and reports!

[north-north-west]

Glad you all survived.
I try to avoid really bad weather..
Would love to get into the Cheyne Range area though. Have you thought about dropping down off the plateau north of Hugel?

Did it the other way around. Hermione is a great place to camp. Bit of bauera on the hillside but it wasn't as bad as I feared. Route finding from Hermione up to the Cheyne is vital - there are a lot of humps and bumps and gullies and a few scrubby bits lower down. The higher section is even easier walking than the high terraces on Gell. Also a lot of pine groves and little pools. It's a beautiful area.
It's best doing the whole thing as a loop, using the Gingerbread track. Once of the best walks I've ever had in Tassie.

[naturelover]

That does sound great NNW. If it's anything like the top area of Gell it has to be gorgeous (and remember, I had no views; I'm just speaking about the clarity of water in the pools and streamlets, and the cushion plants and pineapple grass). I'll be sleeping at Hermione in March and experiencing more then, so I'm certainly looking forward to it. Sounds like I need a good map stare at the Hermione to Cheyne HP section before setting out.

[north-north-west]

Yes, Gell is glorious if you can see. It started snowing just after I hit the summit, so I camped only a hundred or so metres away. And then it cleared the next morning . . . One of the most brilliant mornings I've ever had out bush.

I remember that pool near the Hippogriff where you camped. Was looking at it on the way down to Australia Tarn and thinking it was a pity it was still too early to pitch.

[naturelover]

Ohhhh is there a photo of that one anywhere? That must have been absolutely brilliant!!!! i am jealous.

[north-north-west]

Think I entered one or two in the comp but didn't win.

[icefest]

Stunning NNW! (as usual)

[naturelover]

Fantastic!!!! Thanks so much for sharing! I love them.

[GPSGuided]

Wow, that's quite a bit of climbing!


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