Day 5 - Saturday 17th December

We were able to pack dry tents but stratus cloud became nimbus cloud and the rain had begun as intermittant drizzle by the time we had reached the peak known as West Portal. It took quite some effort to climb up as this is regarded as one of the highest if not the highest peak in the region (1160m). Shedding packs I took Roan's phone and climbed to the first peak (apparantly not quite the highest point) and reassured his mum and my mum that all was well. At times I could see Roan 200m below me and at times cloud hid us from view. Climbing down I had some morning tea with Roan in the rain before we moved on north over the Crags of Andromeda. I was starting to feel a bit worn out and from this point Roan had reached his peak as I felt for a change I was struggling to keep up with his energy. Being such a gentleman as he is he was very patient when I needed breaks for a change. The GPS was useful for a change as it helped indicate how far we had come along the Crags (about 900 m) and how far until we turn east towards Lake Roseanne (500 m). It didn't matter because the track as it had been all along was very easy to follow. Once we descended short of Lucifer's Ridge the track became very scrubby and at one point the scrub robbed Roan of the rope. Luckily Roan discovered this quickly and the rope was easily retrieved. Eventually we crested Lucifer's Ridge, had a rest overlooking Lake Roseanne (with some horrid memories of thick snowfalls and rising lake waters). The walk to Pass Ck from here was longer and tougher than memory suggested and so by the time we had reached pass Ck I suggested to Roan that we camp for the night. After a couple of hours enjoying the lowland campsite it began to rain a bit more seriously than any we had experienced during the day. Two Victorian hikers, Scott and Nick turned up later in the day and confirmed what my mother had earlier told me on the phone at West Portal about an approaching high pressure system. The people you meet on a walk like this are kindred spirits and have shared similar experiences. Impressed by the fact we had just completed the Western Arthurs and were continuing on with the Arthur Ranges thay offered a lift from Farmhouse Ck. Both fine weather and this lift never eventuated but neither could dampen our spirits now - we had and were going to meet our toughest goal!

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