Running the Cradle Mtn National Park was a treat in every way - for the senses, for the beauty, for the challening terrain and more. It had a bit of everything and met all my expectations…and some more. Far from being very tired at the end, I was energised and humbled by being able to complete such a great running tour, compressing a 1-2 day hike into just a few hours. Health and fitness is a gift in these scenarios.
The next running tour was a little more brutal, with only a smidgen of beauty. I was going to run from Hobart to the summit of the 1270m Mt Wellington - the huge beast of a mountain that looms very large over the city. It looks big, it looks scary and imposing, with a huge antenna on the summit that looks like a rocket pointing high into the sky.
My older brother who recently visited Hobart, and drove to the summit, called me at the time to question whether I actually knew what I was getting myself into. I didn't, but was determined nonetheless, fueled in part by his doubts and also the accompishments of some friends who competed in - and completed - the annual Point to Pinnacle running race about 6 weeks earlier. Running from Wrest Point Casino to the Pinnacle, it covers the half marathon distance, 21km+ of pure uphill running. So I wanted to know what they achieved, to an extent.
So at 8am on Thursday I set off from the hostel, to first run to the casino starting point, and then the journey up the mountain. Knowing there was about 21-22km of running ahead, I was little worried when it took 6km to just get to the starting point at the casino…still no closer or nearer the actual top of the damn mountain. So it was with some relief that I turned around on Sandy Bay Rd and headed upwards.
The thing about running up such a prominent mountain is that it's constantly in your face, staring down at you just teasing you with it's size and awe. With the rocket-like communications tower on top, Mt Wellington was more like a school yard bully…but I was determined. David vs. Goliath!!!
From Sandy Bay Rd it was a left hand turn up Davey St and then pretty much straight onwards and upwards. The lower stretches were through the suburbs, through what appeared to be a very well-to-do area with some large and impressive houses…of course, the higher up, the better the view. At a few points I got a clear look myself down on Hobart below, and sould see the appeal of this location, with the perfect weather and sun glistening off the Derwent river.
A little further up and the road started emerging from suburbs and into more mountain side terrain, with trees alongside the road and guard rails instead of footpath. I ran right on the edge of the bitumen and gravel, sometimes having to take evasive action as cars approached!!! There was still a public transport bus route up here, with bus stops amongst clusters of houses, but mostly it was the trees and nature that took over. And although I was only 8-9km from the start/casino - about a third of the way - it was almost as if I hadn't got any closer to the top, such was the imposing sight of the summit above.
About half up from the casino the summit road turned off the main road, which meant that there was no other option than the pinnacle now. It also coincided with a subtle but noticable increase in the gradient of the road…and very kindly, distance markers painted on the road, starting with "10", meaning 10km to go…and it still looked like I had barely any closer to the top!!
There were no more houses along the road now - the sides were too steep - and the bush was thick in parts but on occasions, opened up enough for a glimpse down over the city. At one particular point, on a corner, there was a lookout which gave a breathtaking view to the south of Hobart. I stopped for a drink from my backpack here, and kept on going…I think this was at about 7km or so still to go…
There were a few little streams trickling down, under the road, and then further down the mountain. I noticed that the air temperature was getting distinctly cooler - I later read that it's about 10 degrees cooler at the summit than in Hobart. But the beautiful day, and clear sunshine took the edge from the cool air.
I'd earlier seen on a sign that the Wellington Chalet was about 3-4km from the summit, so as I approached I was preparing for some classy, stone built mansion in the best location and a café, bar and restaurant to boot. So imagine my surprise when I saw that it was barely bigger than a BBQ shelter, tucked right beside the road and none of the expected glamour to be seen!!
From about 2km to go the trees thinned out and there were a lot more rocks, big boulders alongside the road. This was above 1000m altitude by now, so I guess we were entering an alpine area, above the tree line. It was a little eerie, but also cleared the view in every direction, which was spectacular. Tasmania is just full of mountains, and with the clear day I could see for miles.
The final approach to the summit is tortuous...not any steeper, but just a long gradual road that sweeps around a slight bend so that you can't quite see what's ahead. Lucky for the rocket antenna and the distance markers, but it seemed they were an illusion since the last bit took forever. Then, finally, was the painted line on the road indicating the summit, right beside the visitor centre and adjacent to the rocky cairn on the highest point, 1270m in the air.
No, I didn't jump around, there were no cheers from the visitors already there (whom all drove past me on the way up!!), or anything. It was simply that I'd made it to the top and could now stop to enjoy the view in almost every direction - it was breathtaking. Quite a photos, some video, a quick call to my brother (he was impressed!) and then it was time to go back down. A friendly couple from Townsville gave me lift back to Hobart, and upon getting out of the car I took a look upwards knowing that the beast wasn't so scary afterall!!
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