Pass Ck when I was last here (on my own) was very gloomy and damp. This time is no different. The mosquitos are savage when you leave the tent. Inconsiderate campers had not covered up their faeces along toilet tracks and some inconsiderate had hung a rubbish bag over a branch with two metho bottles in it and a note offering people free metho - as if people would come here lacking fuel and expecting a reload. People should take their rubbish with them!
Getting Roan awake and facing a gloomy day with scattered showers we resolved to make it to Goon's Moor camping platforms as it isn't much fun walking in tough weather at 1000m in SW Tasmania. Nick and Scott left before us but they were pretty slow and we soon passed them ascending Luckman's Lead. The bad weather soon closed in and so thermals and my rain jacket were worn over my trusty Hawaian shirt. At the LL camp spot we had some morning tea but the strong cold breezes and the resultant wind chill prompted us to keep moving. The walk to Stuart Saddle was fierce with driving horizontal rain and strong winds. Luckily SS was shelterd and the walk from here to the Goon Moor platforms was quicker than anticipated. We both appreciated the beauty of the wet and misty conditions which in a way enabled me to notice the close up wonders that perhaps in fine weather I would have previously overlooked. The colours in this weather of Scoparia and Pandanni is far more vivid than under blue skies.
At Goon Moor we were quick to select tent platforms, put up tents, dry the interiors, blow up our thermorests and get into warm sleeping bags. An hour or two later, Nick and Scott arrive and we all hold talks from the safety of our tents. I wished at this stage I had a urine bottle as going outside no matter how brief was an intolerable cruelty!