Hartz Peak - 26th January 2009 (55)

What better way to spend a public holiday - climbing Hartz Peak. Mind you, it was fairly busy up there. The carpark was basically full (largely because of the bizarre group angle parking of some large 4WDs - thanks guys), and so I made a new car space which didn't inconvenience anyone who can drive a 1.8m-wide car through a 4m-wide space....OK, so I've got over the fact that so many people were cluttering up MY mountain. ;-) The top of the mountain was crowded too (you know, like Mt Everest has become - they even do ER doccos there now...), but in fact, the noise has been worse with a pack of HWC prats before now, so it was alright. Everyone was happy and suitably appreciative of the delightful views. The funniest moment was when someone told me I was "nearly there" when I was half way up the steep slope above Ladies Tarn. Cheers mate!

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The view was actually quite hazy, but attractive nonetheless. Anyway, what better way to spend a day off work than wandering about a Tasmanian alpine plateau. I noted that there is this forestry coupe high up below Mt Riveaux. They really shouldn't be harvesting big trees here. The valley in between Hartz and the rest of SW Tas is largely unprotected, but quite inappropriately splits off some of the most magnificent forests in the world and makes them available for turning into toilet paper...

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It was interesting to see the Waratah still out. I've been slack (oh, and busy) and haven't been up here for a few months, but there are still some Waratah plants with good displays and healthy flowers, which make a colourful splash on the alpine heath. In fact there were quite a lot of flowers out, and I'll post a separate blog with some more pictures.

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Just finally, I love the view of Federation Peak past this boulder, and I think it would be best at sunrise, so I'll have to be there one day to catch it. This is high up on the western side of Hartz Peak. This same boulder makes a good foreground for shots of Hartz Lake.

South Cape Bay Rocks

Seaweed at South Cape Bay

The seaweed actually makes for some interesting photos (I reckon).

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This is the huge mass of roots with which this kelp clings to the rock.

South Cape Bay - 17th January 2009

Had a good walk on the 17th January to South Cape Bay. Warm sunny day, and even the breeze on the beach wasn't too cold. There were quite a few walkers on the track, although many seem to just go to the cliffs or down to the eastern end of the beach, without walking along even to Lion Rock.

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The rocks at the eastern end have been uncovered again, and the "tesselated" section is quite clear.

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Quite a lot of rubbish from the beach has been collected over time and deposited between the two sets of steps down the cliffs. Most of this is obviously from fishing boats, and there is quite a collection now. I suppose it would be good to cart it out one day and remove this quite unsightly mess.

Crescent Bay - 3rd January 2009

Had a walk to Crescent Bay yesterday. Some drizzle, some overcast, enough sun to get a little burnt. Had a nice snoozy sit on the beach. I noted that a lot of people access the beach via the private property behind the high dunes (Dick Smith's place is there) including some people walking three dogs on the beach. This was interesting to see inside a National Park!

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Interesting items included this dead dolphin on the beach.

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The Remarkable Cave viewing platform is open after some maintenance. Apparently some storm damage made it necessary to repair the platform, which seems to have new railings. Anyway, it also sported a rather pungent odour, which on investigation turned out to be from a very decomposed seal carcase tucked under the large boulder beneath the platform.

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The coastal heath is still attractive with various flowers on display. I'll add some to the Cresent Bay Flora post. The sun was in the right place to illuminate the depths of the Maingon Blowhole yesterday. It remains a dangerous-looking place.