Boundary Creek Hut

Shanti reports…

Thursday night I was on full alert. Mum was up late and moving about a lot, putting hiking gear out on the bed in the spare room. Something was up!

Friday morning we were up early and Mum was definitely in packing mode. Her pack… and… my bright red pack too. I tried to show my lack of enthusiasm by refusing to jump into car, although, to be honest, I would rather tag along than be left behind. Just don’t tell Mum.

We collected Maisy and her Mum, and then Scruff and his Mum, and headed out towards Mt Somers. We’ve done a few walks here already so everyone was keen for another. Me less so when that red pack came out - and it turned out that I was the only dog with a pack.

I’m the most sedate of the three of us anyway, and here Mum was making me carry my water, food and treats!

Here I am at the back with the pack-carrying humans.

Our route took us towards Mt Guy - that is the tallest mountain on the left and through the gap in the mountains in the middle. I was pleased we didn’t need to go up something really steep.

The first water on the track at about 5km. Mum squealed when I tried to lie down in the water. She said I’d end up with soggy dog biscuits for tea. 

Did I mention that I wasn’t overly delighted with this pack idea? Mum wasn’t too concerned. She said it was “only” around 2kgs and she was carrying our tent, and my sleeping bag and mat. Nothing to do but put my brave face on then…

The not-too-impressed but none-the-less brave face.

It wasn’t too long and we were 6km into a 14km walk with 8km to go. Just as well Mum chose Boundary Creek Hut, hmmm.

One of the rare photos from the trip with all three of us dogs. Maisy was off chasing rabbits. 

Another water stop. There is Mirjam and Scruff crossing. Isn’t the view pretty?

We climbed a short hill and then had a long meandering walk down this valley. It was pretty sploshy and boggy when I went nosing off the path, and even some of the 4x4 track was water-logged.

Another human rest and refuel stop - and a break from my pack - yeah!

Not long after that we reached a sign that said it was only one more kilometre to the hut. A downhill section followed by a bit of meandering and then the long drop hut comes into view before the actual hut.

So this is Boundary Creek Hut. A lot of hoo haa about a tin structure that isn’t dog-friendly. The humans set about putting up the tents.

This one was for Scruff and Mirjam.

The red and white tent was for Mum and me, again. The yellow for Maisy and Liz.

I did get a nice reward for all my hard work though. Once the tent was set up Mum pulled out a 250ml bottle of milk and gave me half. Yummy, although a little warm. She put the bottle in the river and said she was keeping it for me for later.

We explored up the river for a bit, then came back for dinner and headed down river to explore some more. Then we sat just enjoying the evening until it was bed time. I put up a bit of a fuss about getting into the tent.

I walked all this way - the least Mum could do is let me enjoy it to the fullest… but no into the tent I had to go. Mum is such a tent fidget, and I can’t see what is gong on outside! I might actually feel safer and sleep better inside the tent - but again, don’t tell Mum.

Below are some photos of our afternoon and evening at the hut. We were lucky to be the only ones there for the night! There was also no wind this time - so the tent didn’t rustle and keep me awake!

Web on thorns

Heading up the river from the hut

More upriver

Pretty side-stream

Me and Scruff talking to Mirjam. Liz and Maisy have gone exploring up a steep hill.

Me in the side-stream.

Heading back to our tents.

Dinner - yay!

Our tent city

Exploring down the river

Cliffs and a bigger river

Maisy had her night light on, so Mum put mine on too. The red sure looks funny in my fur

The moon - it was too cloudy for a sunset

My mornings usually start with a tummy rub - there was no way I was going to let Mum out to check the sun rise without a tummy rub!

Mum was still in time to see the sunrise… and I got my second half of my milk - nicely chilled this time.

Below are some of the photos of pre-breakast and breakfast and the walk back to the car.

The drum turned out to be a good kitchen table for our humans.

Second sun rise

Sunrise on the mountain across the river.

Last view of the tents before they get packed away.

Mum wants to come back and see that far mountain with snow.

Morning coffee break

Here goes nothing. My pack is on again. It is lighter. I'm only carrying an empty food bowl and a little bit of the rubbish from our trip, but still...

With my pack being so much lighter - virtually empty, Mum said - she did not bother to take it off when we stopped to rest. I know it is fiddly to put on and take off, and that I don’t stand still for Mum… but I was NOT impressed.

Me, not impressed, and maybe just a tad hot and tired.

Nearly back at the car. I made pack and all. Are you coming, Mum?

Well, that was a little longer and harder than my first overnight trip. Now, just a long car ride home and I can bug Mum to play ball, which is what I would rather have been doing all along.