Only a few days had passed and I was back in the mountains. This time, I could feel a change in the wind! Or more specifically, the seasons were changing and the mercury was dropping!
Hamilton Peak (1,922m) was today’s target.
Having done a little research I knew today would be a bit more relaxed than Binser bit still with enough of a rock scramble to keep me honest.
The day started early with me walking away from the car at 7:45am up the Broken River Ski Field Road. Not too long after pounding the road I peeled off and up the Camp Saddle Track.
Meandering through thick beech forest was enjoyable but hearing the tops sway in the wind, I knew the tops were going to be windy and cold.
Fortunately, the wind was coming from the NW so for the most part I was in the leeward side of the mountains. After a final push to reach the saddle I was greeted with the first rays of sun.
Taking a moment to have a bite to eat and enjoy the sun came to an end and the rocky scramble began.
Things started off steep and didn’t really ease until I was on top of the ridge running towards Hamilton Peak.
This first part was definitely an honest scramble through some steep rocky chutes. Enough to be switched on about foot placement and of that next rock was sturdy.
After making it through that unscathed, I was in the full strength of the wind. With just over 1 kilometer of nuggety ridge walking over, through and round towering rock spires.
One final steep push to the top, and I had made it.
Photos were taken, views enjoyed but it was bloody cold and with strong winds I jumped back off the summit and found shelter behind a rock.
Sunbathing ensued, along with refueling with lunch and water.
Going down was a lot easier and after a last minute decision. I took a slightly different ridge down to try make a full blown scree run down to the road.
As it turns out, that wasn’t the best idea as, as I got closer to the commitment point, I could see things got a bit spicy further down the chute.
Common sense prevailed and I dropped off the otherside of the ridge back down onto Camp Saddle Track. There was still a nice scree run to enjoy so it wasn’t a bad outcome.
Again, as a bit of fun, to test my navigation skills, and just because, I peeled off the last corner of the track with the intent to bush bash straight to the where I had parked the car.
After seeing some really cool sights in the bush, I popped out 20 uphill from where I had parked.
Not a bad result considering I didn’t want to use my map!
Another one ticked off and one step closer to achieving this goal.
#37 Hamilton Peak – 1,922m, 10.4km, 3 hours 43 min
Till next time,
Cam