The Fagus

Every year near Anzac Day, a special event occurs in the Tasmanian highlands. Australia’s only native deciduous plant, Deciduous Beech or nothofagus gunnii,alias the Fagus, clothes the mountainsides in a glorious golden mantle. Occasionally there are small patches of rich red amongst the gold. The changing of the Fagus begins with the first Autumn frosts and happens rapidly and somewhat unpredictably. It can be a week or two early or late so regular sorties to the high country are needed to keep tabs on progress.

This year it seemed to be peaking right on Anzac Day so yesterday I grabbed a couple of hours sleep before leaving for Cradle Mt National Park at 1am. Four hours later I parked my car at Ronny Creek, planning to be on a particular saddle in time to find a suitable location to catch the morning light. It was just under -2°C as I followed the beam of my headlight in the darkness with a clear sky full of glittering stars above me.

I had the landscape to myself as I set my camera up in time for the approaching sunrise. It didn’t disappoint and after an hour or so gathering images, I packed my gear and headed off to the next destination.

It’s always difficult for good photography when the sky is cloudless and after walking up to a group of tarns I scouted around for good locations hoping a bit of cloud might come in later in the day.

By early afternoon I had moved up to another, seldom visited location and there I was able to check on “the hat”. I first visited this spot 25 years ago and after spending a pleasant night camped there I was unable to find my hat the next morning. Assuming that a Tasmanian Devil had taken a liking to the leather of my hat I left hatless. As it turned out I had left it hanging in a tree. 25 years later, it is still there. A little worse for the wear, it hangs there, slowly ageing in a timeless landscape. 

After a couple of hours lying on the soft ground cover having a sleep I headed back to the previous tarns as some wispy clouds drifted across the sky in the warming afternoon light. 

Conditions were perfect now and I captured some satisfying images before the mountains around me disappeared in an encroaching flow of mist and the air became distinctly chilly.

I had brought my Mont Slinx Powerstretch top with me and I slipped it on to keep the cold at bay as the sun set and the mist settled in around me. It was dark well before reaching my car and once again the headlight led the way.

I arrived home at 2am after the long drive home. A long day but a good one.

Gear worn and carriedMont Odyssey rain jacket,  Mont Mojo shorts,  Mont Powerdry long sleeve top,  Mont Powerdry pants, Mont Slinx Powerstretch top. 

Geoff Murray
Mont Ambassador