Mt Dunblane
The trip up Mt Dunblane took about 4 hours and 15 minutes (including stops), but with the drive to Hanmer Springs and up Jack’s Pass it was a long day - the driving time was almost as long as the walk.
Mt Dunblane (or Mt Dumblane - Mum says there is a spelling controversy) is on the opposite of Clarence Valley Road from Mt Isobel. We did Mt Isobel via a longer route, but had been along Clarence Valley Road before on our way to Princess Bath.
We parked in the car park at the top of Jack’s Pass and headed along a road, that soon became a track and dwindled into a trail. There isn’t a clear track up Mt Dublane but it is a poled route. Us dogs followed our noses, but our humans weren’t that impressed as the footprints in the snow gave away from of usual tracking secrets.
Here we are, near the start of the trail - with a huge orange triangle.
The goal is the snow-covered high point on the left, but the route skirts right, going up the ridge to a saddle, then up to the final ridge, with a walk along the tops to the actual summit.
The view on the way up - isn’t that pretty?
There were a few false summits on the way, which had our humans muttering. This is one of them.
We really are almost there this time!
This is the view in the other direction.
This is me on the summit. The forescast said there would be light winds. They got the light part wrong - it was a tad more blowy. Okay - it was REALLY windy! Our humans found it very cold, so there was no treats or lunch break at the top to enjoy the view. They tried to find a sheltered spot a bit lower down, and grabbed a quick bite - but it wasn’t that well sheltered, just not quite as exposed. I did get my usual water and treats then though.
Mum used her microspikes on the way down and Mirjam and Liz got some crampon practice. The snow was a bit slippery and I guess these devices act like our claws.
