Leader: Lawrie Halkett
With just a party of two, is that a party?
Kelvin and Lawrie made it to the Flora car park, while there were still some parking spaces!
It was a leisurely walk under bright blue skies to Asbestos Cottage. We stopped at Flora Hut to check all was okay. The hut was looking in great nick, with most graffiti being confined to the wood shed.
At Asbestos Cottage we met an interesting German hiker that has been coming back to NZ tramping every year since 1986. Being an astronomer he returns to enjoy our night skies, as well as being a keen bird watcher. It reminded us that tramping is not always about knocking off huts and taking in the mighty views, but it is also about the interesting people you meet.
Sunday was a scorcher. A slight navigation error meant we climbed up to the Cobb Ridge twice that morning! Hiking along the ridge we thoroughly enjoyed panoramic views in every direction; Cobb Reservoir, Lockett Range, Arthur Range and the Tableland. A very quick dip in Lake Peel stopped the radiator from boiling over, followed by an amble down to Balloon Hut.
Monday morning was misty and cooler. Wandering through the Tableland is always a pleasure. We both really enjoyed the excellent beech forest as we descended to Flora Hut. On the way out, we passed a number of family groups, with quite young kids, which augers well for our forest and mountain lands.
Party of two: Kelvin Drew & Lawrie Halkett.