morsla | Long Time, No Update

Since I last wrote anything here, I've left CSIRO for a few months of wandering aimlessly before I start studying again. There's no sense doing anything half-heartedly, so I'm wandering with a vengeance - wandering all the way to Tasmania this weekend for eight days on the Overland track, and then spending some time in Hobart for R&R. My fellow conspirators are

aeliel,

fetnas,

geserit,

mousebane and

futurelegend...

We're catching a bus from Launceston to the Dove Lake/Cradle Mountain camping area, and starting the walk on Monday morning. If all goes to plan, we'll reach the southern shores of Lake St. Clair eight days later, and jump on a bus that takes us down to Hobart. Considering the amount they're charging for those bus tickets, I'd like to see platters of beluga caviar and buckets of champagne laid on for us, but I think it'll be more a case of tired and dirty people hoping to get some hot food in Hobart.

I've spent the last few days drying out fruit in the dehydrator I've borrowed from home. It'll be running around the clock until Saturday, churning out dried apples, nectarines and strawberries as fast as we've been buying them from the Vic Markets. Hiking food seems to have three sources of appeal: preparing the meals (which I seem to enjoy...), eating the meals (always a good thing), and feeling the pack get lighter after each meal (hurrah!).

Tomorrow is a day for waterproofing everything I can. I know a few people who've been caught in snow on the peaks, even in mid January... so the extra coat of Sno-Seal could come in handy. Then it's off to buy the last of the supplies, and wait for everyone to come over on Saturday night.

I'm taking my camera and a tripod, on top of all that food. I think my basic plan is to eat, take photos, eat, walk, and take photos. I'll have to renew my Pbase subscription when I get back, so I can upload a new gallery. If anyone's interested in the pictures from last year's trip, you can find them at http://www.pbase.com/morsla/summer_2005

Should be fun.