Waiting in Culverden on Saturday morning in the bright sunshine while Jonathon was eating his cream and jam doughnut (The Breakfast of Champions), I started contemplating the possibility of doing the trip in “reverse”. Heading up Rough creek and over to Lake Christabel Hut would allow us to do the high crossing in the glorious sunshine before the predicted southerly change later in the day with the associated showers and strong wind. The wise man who once said something about counting chickens and eggs hatching must have been a tramper. As we approached Lewis pass we could see the dark grey clouds building on the divide and the windscreen started getting specked with rain. Revert back to Plan A.

It was about 12:30 by the time Bernhard and I finished the car shuttle and started walking along the Lake Christabel track to catch up with the others. The light drizzle gave the forest a very moody atmosphere. Eventually we climbed over the old moraine and dropped down to the lake. The perfectly still water reflected the dull grey sky and the low cloud clinging to the hill sides adds to the saturnine atmosphere.

It’s a surprisingly long way to the hut and we make the last half hour to the hut using our head torches (damn lazy 8am starts). The hut is a delight and can sleep up to 10 very comfortably. We settle in for a cosy night. Although Bernhard and I have only walked about five and a half hours, it feels much longer due to the short daylight hours.

Sunday on the west coast was absolutely stunning, not a cloud in the sky. We continue our journey through the bush before climbing out onto the saddle on the bush line. The poled route over the range is very easy to follow and there’s a fair amount of snow around but its not too soft or too hard. I climb to the ridgeline without having to use my ice axe. The 360 degree views of the mountains are breathtaking, the sun is shining and the breeze isn’t too strong – a truly fantastic place to spend a winter weekend. Much of the previous days discussion centered on how robots and other electronic devices will gradually take over all human tasks. Everyone agrees that tramping is one activity they will not allow to be out-sourced. Its hard to argue on a day like this.

After lunch Bernhard and I move ahead of the group down Rough Creek to un-shuffle the cars. The track is bone shattering steep in some places, or maybe that was my impression with my bung knee. Brief stops at Sylvia Flat hot pools and Culverden round out the weekend.

Thanks guys for a stunning winter weekend.

Jonathon, Bernhard, Martin, Bruce Thomas, Dharshie and Andrew

-- Uploaded by Andrew Tromans on 6 July, 2010