Cradle Mountain Run, Tasmania

Sue Drake / 20.09.2006

The beauty of this run is that it traverses wild alpine areas of Tasmania’s Cradle Mt Lake St Clair National Park and World Heritage Area, an area of Tasmania exposed to the roaring forties. The altitude of the track in several areas of the plateau is greater than 1000 metres, which by world standards is not high, but here is well above the tree line. This low tree line illustrates the exposure and harshness of conditions that can prevail even in summer.

In 1998 the weather on the plateau was not particularly bad but was foggy and a runner, apparently alone, took the wrong track and was lost in the bush for the night. The weather was rainy and cold and a rescue helicopter was called which eventually located him on the next evening. This was a life threatening event. It appears several rules were flouted and there may have been a lack of bush sense shown. By contrast but posing different demands in 2000 the temperatures soared to the high 30s and dehydration was a major factor and with water scarce less than half the entrants completed this demanding course.

For an application form email Sue Drake, sue.drake@trump.net.au

Attached images thanks to Cradle Mountain Lodge.