Go back to Tasmania.
Go back to Hobart.
The Moai.
On the morning of our first full day on the new continent, we woke up early and drove an hour+ to Fortescue Bay on Tasman Peninsula. The goal for the day was a slender seaside formation called The Moai – two short pitches rated Australian 18 (~5.9-10a) on its easiest route the Sacred Site. This is followed by about 3 pitches of climbing back up to the rim of the headland. The climbing was fun (above the sea – unlike anything else we’ve ever done), the rock was solid, the spire phallic shaped and proud looking. However, it was the approach and the hike-out that were the most memorable. In the morning, we both took a half dozen leeches for the ride-along on our shins. On the afternoon hike out, I nearly shit my pants when a one meter long tiger snake slithered off the trail about 6 feet ahead of me. Things remained lively when a second meter-long tiger was encountered five minutes later. Unlike his cousin, this one refused to move off the trail and only followed us with his gaze as we scurried around. After that our pace slowed to a crawl as we’d constantly be poking the highly overgrown boot path ahead of us with sticks. First day on Tassie and we already had two snake run-ins…we were so getting bit on this trip!
Photos
On our way to the first climb in Tasmania (Dec. 2014).
Fortescue Bay in Tasman National Park. Starting our hike in to The Moai. This initial part is along a very scenic stretch of beach (Dec. 2014).
Fortescue Bay.
The overgrown booth path that leads to The Moai…we were not walking so confidently (or quickly) on the way back after our two run-ins with some local wild life (Dec. 2014).
Fortescue Bay (Dec. 2014).
Some lush vegetation that covers the trail quite nicely…
The Moai.
Rapping in (3 single rope) to The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Looking towards Cape Hauy from the base of The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Leading the short and easy pitch one of The Sacred Site route (Dec. 2014).
Shirley on pitch 1 of the Sacred Site (Dec. 2014).
Starting up the second (crux) pitch of The Sacred Site on The Moai – the line corkscrews its way to the top of the tower (obelisk).
Nearing the top of the Sacred Site (Dec. 2014).
Shirley on the spectacular pitch 2 of the Sacred Site on The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Looking towards Cape Hauy (right) and The Candlestick (obvious tower) from The Moai (Dec. 2014).
The Candlestick. The Totem Pole (~1/2 the height) is not quite visible on the right of The Stick (Dec. 2014).
The ~110 meter Candlestick (Dec. 2014).
Shirley nearing the summit of The Moai – pitch 2 of Sacred Site (grade 18).
Rapping off The Moai…the red stain on my shin is from a couple leeches we both acquired on the morning hike in (Dec. 2014).
Summit flowers on The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Rapping off The Moai – such a cool position and our first time climbing above a foaming sea (Dec. 2014).
Shirley rapping off The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Moai rap (Dec. 2014).
Leading the final (third) short pitch on the way out from The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Shirley on the third and final pitch (grade 16) of the climb out from The Moai (Dec. 2014).
Fortescue Bay in Tasman NP.
A ~1 meter tiger snake we (almost) ran into on the hike back from The Moai. This in fact is the second one in about a hundred meters (the first one quickly slithered off the trail while this one decided to hold his ground).
And the frontal view.
This guy was quite calm as we were forced to walk off trail around him…though he did turn his head to track us (Dec. 2014).
Globe Trekker…
Tasmania.
Go to Wellington 1.
Go back to Tasmania.