Back to The Bush. By Geoff Murray

Three months ago I had major shoulder surgery for 3 separated tendons. Last week my physiotherapist said I was now allowed to carry a full pack for an overnight walk. Hooray!!!

The forecast was for cold conditions on Tassie’s Central Plateau so I packed my super-warm Icicle down jacket and Spindrift sleeping bag for the trip. As I walked in there was plenty of ice underfoot and after a while, a steady fall of light snow began.

Once I had reached my campsite I pitched my Dragonfly tent in what was admittedly fairly miserable conditions. It was overcast, snowing, cold and windy so dinner was a fairly quick affair then I slipped into the sleeping bag in my tent.

My Spindrift bag is like a luxurious, warm bed and sleep was pleasant although having gone to bed at 6 pm meant it was a long night before sunrise.

It was windy through the night as well as dropping to -4.3°C. One of the features of the Dragonfly is the fact that you hear the wind and not the tent. Many tents flap noisily in wind, but not the Dragonfly, it remains virtually silent.

As it turned out I could have taken my Guide Hoodie Primaloft jacket and Helium 600 sleeping bag and been completely comfortable as it really wasn’t very cold.

It took quite a while in the morning to scrape the ice off the tent before packing it away. Every side was plastered with iced snow.

The morning cleared to a beautiful, sunny day and as I walked out it was a pleasure to be back in the highlands.

It’s good to be back :)

Geoff Murray
Photographer Mont Ambassador