[8 images, click to enlarge] – One of the walks I’ve wanted to do since a lad trawling over my Dad’s maps, I finally made it to Thark Ridge, with a great view to Dead Island!
This is not an easy track – and I use the term “track” extremely loosely. If the first 200 metres doesn’t put you off – if you can find it, I assure you it doesn’t get any better! Guided by yellow triangles on black poles that blended into the surrounding foliage remarkably well, it was more than once I said to myself “So now where the f#ck does the track go?!!” Yet, somehow, I managed to find my way in and back out.
It was slow, careful and deliberate progress with every step. Aided by two hiking poles, I covered 9km in 5 hours, being extremely careful on the knee and plenty of photo stops along the way.
I think this track was built by a mad person. It weaves about like a drunkard, taking you into the most inhospitable rock-hopping, ankle twisting terrain you could imagine, all the while, seemingly averting your eyes from any chance of catching what could be a breath-taking view. I was so tempted to scramble up onto the boulders at the top of the ridge below (there is no track up there), but thought better of it with my recovering knee.
It was a hard, slow slog, and I was unprepared for the very warm weather after starting out in cool cloud, but I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Next time, I have another goal. “Devils’ Throne”. I passed the turn-off on the way. Perhaps He made the track!
TasView 
You have some beautiful view up there, well worth the hike!
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Thanks John, it’s completely different over the back of the mountain … as you will see in a post or two 😉
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Interesting landscape. My first thought about the “track” was “Ouch! My ankles hurt already.”
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It’s completely different over the back of the mountain, low alpine shrubs and stunted, twisted trees weather-beaten with high winds, extreme cold and hot temperatures, it’s kind of almost desert like.
I had to be so careful with every step on this walk, the last thing I want is to be off work again – I’ve run out of sick leave
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It certainly looks like a challenge to navigate.
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Definitely OFF the list for night walking!! But I do plan to go back and do a larger circuit walk to Devil’s Throne and maybe a peak or two when my knee is stronger 🙂
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Gorgeous photos! The flowers are beautiful and so are the rock formations. Definitely the sort of place where a dinosaur would feel at home.
I did find the tracker as I am sitting at the computer screen and was able to enlarge the photo! I most likely would have missed it if I was actually there. 😀
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Thanks Morgaine, I saw lots of mini dinosaurs in the shape of lizards skittering over the rocks 😉 No snakes though thank goodness. Glad you found your way home, you’ve just earnt your navigate the track that isn’t a track badge 😀
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This path looks like great opportunities for accidents. Lovely pictures.
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Thanks Alessandra, yes, each step could be a potential mishap – mobile phone reception gets sketchy in places out there too, but worth the effort 😀
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