This day trip morphed from the survivors of the overnight Robert Lodge and Angelus Hut trip which was abandoned before it started, mainly due to illnesses.

Three intrepid trampers arrived at Mount Robert car park to find it surprisingly almost empty; perhaps due to the weather which was overcast and light rain showers. A quick climb of Pinchgut soon found us on the tops which still had plenty of snow from recent falls. Soon after emerging from the bush we passed a family of five including 2 young girls and a baby on their way down after overnighting at Bushline Hut. The dad was laden like a mule. They all appeared to be having type 1 fun, apart from the younger girl who was clearly vocalising type 2 fun. We pressed on in the cold and damp, had a snack at Relax Shelter, and continued on to the warning sign overlooking 2nd Basin and Robert Lodge, which was not visible due to us being enveloped by the cloud.

At the Robert Lodge turnoff with a DoC ranger who faithfully braves all weathers to offer wise counsel to those traversing Robert Ridgejpeg

Janey’s thermometer indicated exactly zero, which would have put windchill well into negative territory. After a brief discussion and demonstration of navigation by map and compass in whiteout conditions, we reversed our route and bore right at the Paddy’s Track junction for lunch at Bushline Hut.

Descending to the Paddys Track turnoffjpeg

After a leisurely lunch we continued down Paddy’s Track, arriving at the carpark exactly 1 hour later.

This was an interesting trip in less-than-clement weather, made more interesting by conversations with the other parties we met up there, including one young man who received some advice from us about his unusual and clearly dangerous method of ice axe stowage.

Participants: Brian (leader and scribe), Kath, and visitor Janey.