2019 Hume and Hovell Track

Day 11 An easy but long day

Last night was a very cold one and while I don’t have a thermometer with me I estimate we reached about -5 degrees Celcius. The water in my pack bladder had frozen and the condensation on our tent fly was also ice. Gill had almost every bit of clothing on she was carrying and I had put on my thicker layers to sleep in. We decided on waking just to have a quick bite and have a cup of tea later in the morning which is a rarity for us.

We are of two minds this morning whether to stop at our planned stopping point of Junction Campsite at around 22 km or press on to the Henry Angle Track Head which is a further 6.5 km but will see how we go.  The walk today isn’t difficult but it’s long and winding our way in and out of the gullies and hills although moving downwards out of the snow zone very, very gradually. The vegetation changes as we go lower and also on the sunny and shady sides of the hills. We start to see tree ferns and ground ferns and the undergrowth increases as we descend. We also see seven horses today and while they are wary of us they don’t race off like they do in the Alps.
While it’s not difficult walking it’s long and and there is the occasional treefall, one of which we take about 10 minutes to get around because of its location. We realise that if we want to reach the Henry Angel Track Head we are likely to be walking in the dark so opt against that.
We enter the private forest area where the Junction campsite is located. There is a sign telling us that logging activities are in progress and to contact the operators (text only as there isn’t enough signal for phone) on the number provided. This seems to be an old sign but we do it just in case. We hear back and they confirm they aren’t logging at present.
We press on and reach Junction Campsite around 4.00pm. So far this is the best camping site (with the exception of the track heads) as there is no 4wd access being a private property.  There are plenty of good flat areas next to a creek as well as the usual picnic tables and toilet. Also lots of wombat holes.
We are in bed by 6.00pm having set up and eaten in the sun today. I was hoping for enough signal to do the podcast but no joy so it will be late this week (which I hate) but outside of my control. With luck I am hoping for tomorrow night. Only eight days to go if things go to plan.

Last night was a very cold one and while I don’t have a thermometer with me I estimate we reached about -5 degrees Celcius. The water in my pack bladder had frozen and the condensation on our tent fly was also ice. Gill had almost every bit of clothing on she was carrying and I […]