Day 13 hiking the Australian Alps Walking Track solo

Australian Alps Walking Trail, Hiking, Trail Journal

Back on trail after two days with Jane: bittersweet, 25km through forests, ending at Tin Mine Huts with brumbies and mountain bikers.

Dead Horse Gap to Tin Mine Huts (25km) | TOTAL – 272.9km

We left the hotel just before 8am and headed to Woolies at Jindabyne to buy a few last-minute items, including Easter eggs!

We then called into the Ngarigo Campground where Jane had a booking and wanted support reversing. It was a tight park and Jane decided to opt for another camp out of Thredbo.

Next we headed back to Dead Horse Gap, where I rejoined the trail after another emotional farewell.

It felt so good to be with Jane for two days that returning to the trail was tough.

Our catch ups on the trail are bitter-sweet, because it’s missing her that I struggle with most on trail, and seeing her intensifies these emotions.

But seeing her is such a bright beacon of hope to walk towards, that I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Struggling to get my head back in the game, I popped on the Take 5 With Zan Rowe podcast to help distract me from the task at hand – a 16km hike to Cascade Hut.

After a brief stop at the hut and a chat with a couple of cyclists heading to Melbourne, I journeyed onto Tin Mine Huts, stopping for lunch and to watch a deer on my way.

The landscape was lush and green, with ferns and spindly eucalyptus trees abound, bright red rosellas flying between trees, brumby hoof prints and droppings frequenting the trail and the occasional deer honk sounding in the background.

I also met a northbound AAWT hiker named Heidi, who was attempting a fastest known time for an supported woman – 17 days!

On arrival at Tin Mine Huts, I was greeted by five brumbies who gradually wandered off after a few intimidating neighs.

I then sought out some water, eventually finding a slow running shallow stream surrounded by horse droppings 100m behind the hut.

Not long after, about eight merry mountain bike riders on a four-day trip arrived. I spent the night sitting around the campfire with them, exchanging adventure tales and hearing about their upcoming cycling travels.

It sounded like they were speaking a different language, but they were all lovely, and shared my passion for the outdoors.