A to K

Alpha Moraine to Kappa Moraine—Western Arthurs, Southwest, Tasmania.

March 2020

A fair slog up Alpha Moraine to Lake Cygnus beneath a cathedral of rock, eight and a bit hours from the road.

A spectacular wander begins through the intricate glaciated landscape. In spite of history, the Pedder impoundment has a certain granduer from high. Two nights at Lake Oberon exploring Sirius and Orion in drizzle and mist. A spiteful native mouse destroys my water bottle.

From Oberon the trail forms a series of trials and triumphs, vertiginous enough that up and down become inverted at times. Pegasus to Capricorn is a sheer delight.

A warm clear evening at High Moor transforms into a tempest overnight, monstrous gusts rending the gulches with the volume of madness. Tent-bound for a day with no possiblity of progress. Regardless, there’s magic about the place. Zeds to be slain, warmth to be guarded, a tentative reconnoiter toward The Dragon.

The storm subsides to persistent rain. A few jelly-kneed moments, traversing the loose, scrambly chasms of the Beggary Bumps in scant visibility. By Haven Lake everything is soaked.

Nestled beneath a horseshoe of peaks, a lovely burrough of King Billy and layered flora. A lone currawong, curious and helpful, guides me to the summit of Aldebaran in the featureless clag.

A final pack haul down to Lake Sirona with some sensitive trackwork leading over the saddle beyond. Onwards to the angled slab of Scorpio.

On the descent, some sun at last, with the shortcut off Kappa Moraine easily followed due to recent bushfire damage.