Had a spare couple of days so decided to overnight Mt Anne from the Condominium Carpark end. The plan was to bag the peak, put up the tent somewhere between Anne and Eliza and get out the next day so I dusted off my 1:25 Anne Tasmap, strapped on the dunlop Volleys and away I went. Decided that since I was overnighting I could afford a leisurely day getting on track so after mucking around at home and then having a coffee at the Possum Cafe, I eventually got on the track at 1600hrs.
On the way up it was apparent that I would be walking into a cloud.
- Ascent into cloud
Made the hut at 1700 where I had a nice chat with a couple tenting in a Minaret (good tent) and another nice couple of chaps staying in the hut. After which I continued on my way, eventually getting into the cloud as I topped out on Eliza.
- On the top
At this time I decided to pull the map out. Not so much to not get lost as the track is pretty bomber, but more to keep an eye on my progress along the top as the cloud was 8/8ths. And only got worse the further I progressed.
- socked in
If you look closely at the bottom left corner of the preceding photo you can just make out the ground.
Passing the boulder fields on the approach to the base of Anne whilst not tricky never the less demanded the utmost respect so as not to take a fall. The rocks were damp but the volleys were up to the task. But this did slow my progress. Upon reaching the base of the final climb I took a moment to mull over a couple of factors, these being:
1. It was 1900hrs
2. The rocks were wet
3. I was in a cloud on my own
4. I was dehydrated and hungry (total intake thus far being 1 flat white coffee, 1 mars bar and 1 energy gel)
5. It had been a very long time since I had climbed Mt Anne
And as a result of this moment of contemplation I decided not to climb it. Definately the right thing to do as I decided that not only was I exposing myself to potentially a serious injury (tired, hungry, thirsty, rusty) but I was solo and it was getting dark and if I got hurt would be spending a long lonely night out in it.
I was so keen to get out of there I kept going once I turned around, getting back to the carpark at about 2130.
I took a couple of things from this one, first of which is not to be so cocky about going for a walk in the South West because if you're not careful the place will bite you on the *&%$#!. The second thing was that I really should slow down a little bit and enjoy things more rather than thrashing through it all trying to set land speed records.
Anyway I'll be heading back out to Mt Anne sooner rather than later and I will pay more respect to it second time around.
But, going back to walking, it does indeed sometimes get better - a few of us set off for Mt Pillinger in the rain one day with no expectation of better weather, and had lunch on top in the sunshine. One can only hope!