Day 4
Pelion Plains to Kia Ora( A total of 14 kilometres : 9 km plus 5 km round trip to Mt Ossa)
I believe 'day 4' was our absolute highlight out of the total Overland Track.
I loved and enjoyed infinitely the whole day especially Mt Ossa based on a really fine warm weather.
From early morning people were rushing and leaving the hut earlier due to side trips they chose to do.
Mt Ossa is the highest peak in Tasmania(1617 metres) and is considered as a must-see.
Luckily enough we had a perfect weather for a hike and a really good view over
southern section of Cradle Mt-St Clair world heritage areas.
There were other side trip options to Mt Oakleigh ,Mt Pelion East or West or The Du Cane Range.
However we didn't think twice, straight off decided to do Mt Ossa.
We walked steadily on the gradual inclines to reach Pelion Gap from where we could look back
Barn Bluff and Cradle Mountain far away behind us at the horizon.
We arrived at the junction before 11am where we heaved down our tall packs under the sign along with other hikers'.
If there are cheeky birds called Kia in NZ here we had equivalent black crows or ravens in Tasmania.
I remembered Paul mentioned this outsmarting bird when he did a briefing.
"Anecdotal stories abound of ravens and crows opening zipped packs, using tools and utilising problem-solving skills.
These skills have enabled them to access rubbish low inside bins and food scraps in containers, even dragging roadkill back onto the road so that it will be run over again and become easier to eat. It is clear this is a species that knows what it wants and how to get it! "
I got goose bumps even by reading it.
So we carefully checked our packs and covered them well before we set off to Mt Ossa.
Without heavy packs we almost felt as light as a feather.
First, mounted stone stairs which led us up to light climbing through a short bush.
And then the path curved around out of world garden like flower field and then haughty bare rocky mountain tops
suddenly popped out in front of our eyes.
The unique colour combination of light toned rock formations and green mosses plus outstanding bright dried unknown plants
made a strong unforgettable impression in my mind.
As always scrambling last parts of steep mountain peaks consisting of all sorts of rugged rocks was hard to master.
People were slow and cautious in both sides of coming up or climbing down on the dangerously stacked rocks.
It was strongly windy on top of peak areas but it had a magnificient panoramic 360 degrees' view.
We had lunch sitting on one square boulder enjoying million dollar's worth of view.
I was feeling very lucky to be there on such a good day with my loved ones.
It was a sheer luck when it came to weather.
It was one warm sunny afternoon that we felt very thirsty,hot and sweaty on the way to the hut.
Eddie and Suze decided to sleep in the tent and I took my own independent spot on one upper bunk.
Understandably many people came out of the stuffy confined indoors and set up their tents to enjoy the warm breezed day
outside.
We spent our afternoon leisurely drinking teas next to our tent on the wooden platform.
I slept very well without anyone near me both sides.
It rained again at late night or early morning but they informed me it was warm and comfortable sleeping in the tent
enjoying their privacy for the first time during our hike.
I was happy for them but I was quite ok sleeping inside the hut as well.
