Snowy Mountains - November 15-18

FRIDAY

Early start for the seven Bruddas setting off from separate parts of Sydney in 3 autos - Panzerwagen (Audi), Panzer Tiger (Tiguan) and Panzer Panther (X5).  Paul and Phil in the Blitzgrieg Tiger headed out on the M4 / M7 to join Richard and Yarro at the McCafe 27k north of Marulan.  By mid-morning it was Jugiong and the "Long Trail Pantry" http://www.longtrackpantry.com.au/ and meeting with the Panther Troopcarrier supporting JD, Peter and Greg.  Much discussion over breakfast of "Wascalie Wabbit Wum" and "Wet Webbing" on the new Wacks.

The next section up through Tumut, past Yarrangobilly Caves (memories of many years ago), testing of the DSG Diesel Tiger on the ascent, brumbies running free, Cabramurra and a time to remember past epics. 

By 1:30 (same as 2011), pretty much to schedule, we landed at the old favourite "Round Mountain".  By 2:00 we hit the Round Mountain Trail and all was well, gear in order, bikes running smooth, weather perfect ... spectacular in fact.  Phil had a small challenge with the new Wack having not Wapped the Wet Webbing Wight Wound.  Fixed on the first down and never a problem again.

In just three hours we'd passed Dershkos Hut near Mount Jagungal, crossed a few streams and reached the bottom of the track up to Grey Mare Hut - home for the next two nights. 

Click here for Strava details

Firewood was easy this year - it was everywhere.  Water close too - as always from the local stream (pipe).  Billies quickly boiling for a cup a tea and attention turned to dinner and watching the sunset.  JD brought along some Wum which he mixed with Port Wine Aeroplane Jelly to sweeten.  The rest indulged in neat nips.  Four tents this year and all erected and used - Greg, Paul (as always), Yarro (in the new Wed one) and Peter.  Phil, Richard and JD in the hut with the fire on and a small mouse in the roof. 

Sunset from Grey Mare Hut

SATURDAY

Cold morning with frost and ice.  Big breakfast and early start for the Four most fearsome in the group - JD, Greg, Peter and Paul.  By 8 they set off for the reverse of 2008 Day 2.  The "Ellsworth Team" remained to relax, embrace the scenery and set off after lunch toward Geehi on the anti-clockwise path.  Meet a small group on the trail heading to Valentines - possibly some Duke of Eds.  Snow patches on the way and the hope was to meet the four coming in.  By 3pm, at the bottom of the hill on the Grey Mare Trail before the intersection with the Geehi link, the Ellsworth Team of 3 headed back to the hut. 

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Late in the afternoon the four returned to the hut looking a little more weary than when they started.  The Geehi climb was tough.  See the topo above. 

Dinner, with Phil and Greg being catered for by Yarro, an offering to Mt Jagungal in appreciation of another great weekend, some laughs around the hut fire and then a little star watching and satellite spotting before bed.

SUNDAY

A smooth start to the morning with all the years of practise cleaning the hut, packing the tents, breakfast, tea, water, etc.  A little overcast.  Just before crossing the first creek we came across a group of a dozen just two days into an 18 day hike.  JD had a few Wack challenges - more with the load strapping than the rack itself - or the Wet Webbing - poor ole Wascalie Wabbit.  Spotted that Flame Robin again - it had followed us all Saturday.

On the last climb to Round Mountain down came sleet / hailstones.  A quick pack of the Panzers and off to Tumut for lunch at the Phoenix cafe.  Yarro had a test drive of the Tiger with a driver change at Gundagai.  A stop at McCafe and then all the way home by around 8pm. 

Click here for Strava details

Paul wasn't comfortable on the way back and Phil could tell - or was that smell.  Monday he reported via the Interweb he'd been up all night - was it the water, or the late burger at Tumut.  We may never know.  What we do know it's 12 months from now we'll be back. And before then we have a Mid Coast Pilgrimage to plan and deliver.

For all the photos by Phil on SkyDrive click here and for all the photos by Pete on SkyDrive click here.