Sunday was the worst day of weather and today we were hoping for our chance to ascend Federation Peak but as Roan stated, Federation was only the dessert - so we were content to miss it (I had ascended Federation 3 year earlier). Before we even got going I had fallen down a ledge in the dark and injured my back. I had a tarp draped around me to keep me dry whilst on a toilet mission but slipped just before the duck board started. Youch - it took 3 weeks for the pain to go away! The backpack weight just added to the misery so I was not at my best for a day or three.
The day started fierce with howling gales across Goon Moor and visibility down to our elbows. The ridge to 4 peaks was longer than I remembered and the harsh conditions hampered our time a bit as the wind threatened at times to blow us off ledges and ridges. Also a number of false trails in the mist and cairns that were hard to identify hampered us as well. At the four peaks the mist began to clear and views to the coast were observed under the occasional glimpse of sunshine that we wished would come to the Arthurs. The last peak to scramble over was tough for me but we managed and had a wonderful view of Thwaites Plateau but not Federation which wsa still obscured by cloud.
The walk to the Hanging Lake turnoff was fast and the scrambling of the Southern Traverse was great as usual. We attempted Federation but the rock was too wet and just as well we retreated as it began to rain again as we climbed up Geeve's Gully.
Descending to Bechevaise in the slosh of heavy rain we were quite glad that we had the lovely raised tent platforms to ourselves. The echos of our calls remained unanswered so we figured Scott and Nick were not going to make it past Thwaites Plateau. Bechevaise plateau in the rain still allowed a little bit of water in the tent under the pockets as was the case the last few days. I had become accostemd to leaving my pots under the leaks and this helped a bit but conditions were getting a little too damp in my tent for my liking.
I have enjoyed the variety of food I bought this trip - with different dinners every night and different types of snacks for the day and a dessert type snack such as turkish delight. Last 10 day walk was fish and rice every night - I couldn't bear the thought again. As bad as the weather was, I count this as perhaps my most enjoyable bushwalk!