12-13 April 1997: Lochinvar Hut

Map K34

Getting to the start point on Mt White Station was no problem. We were all set to go by 10:30. It looked easy enough on the map and the five of us set off up the Poulter in perfect conditions. On the way Frank and Honora danced around picking mushrooms and eating their breakfast. After a brief lunch with the sandflies we crossed into the East Poulter. Numerous river crossings later and a little swim by Elan and we were "ready" to tackle the "short cut" to Lochinvar. Fortunately the wasps were docile and selective. Frank and especially Honora were singled out as the most dangerous intruders. Stingoes from DEKA is recommended. The bush bash through to Lake Grace took some time and energy. The lake is worth seeing even in twilight. Lochinvar to ourselves at about 7pm. Good bunks and I certainly slept well.

Camp Stream to the headwaters is a nice walk. A discussion occurred picking the correct ridge to the saddle. You really need a map for this. Once clear of the bush the saddle is an easy traverse and we were soon in Boundary Creek. The rain settled in and lunch was rather miserable. It was also fairly rough going due to lots of tree fall. The fitness of Dayle, Honora and Frank was now obvious. They were very patient with my slow climbing and Elan's careful boulder hopping due to a sore knee. Frank was mad keen to bush bash and made two premature forays before we finally left the stream to avoid the gorge. Knee high beech can be found, but there is a lot of scrambling through 3m saplings before you come to a clearing at about 800m. A good deer track is evident there but we easily made our way directly to a visible mound and then on down to the cars in darkness. Dayle had thoughtfully left his interior light on in case we lost our way.