Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
No Roads on Cradle Mountain
19.11.2008
After making outstanding time on the way up the trail, the two porters from PNG decided to take a rest and admire the view before heading back to earth to tackle the course on two wheels. They ended the trek only 10 minutes behind race leaders Team Keen, despite starting the trekking Leg over 30 minutes behind after their kayak.
Kemori lost his footing and slid, grazing his right knee and required medical attention to dress the wound before continuing on.
“We stopped at the top of the mountain to have a look and feel the snow,� said Javith Ababu, Gibsons team mate.
Ababu and Gibson take trekkers on the Kokoda Trail for Australian expedition company No Roads, so are no strangers to the rigours of mountain trekking.
“It was easier on this trek than our normal trails but this was a bit scarier as we don’t really know where we are going,� said Ababu.
Webber and his team mate Emma Weitnauer made good time finishing in the top ten at the mid way transition and ended the day’s course in 5th place in a total time of 6:25:01.
As competitors stood at Dove Lake carpark this morning, before them loomed the imposing jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain and a 12km heartbreaking uphill trek.
The light breeze and slightly overcast sky created a perfect first day which allowed competitors to push their limits.
First to the summit was Team Keen (Jarad Kohlar & Deanna Blegg) 12 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals Team Red Bull. Keen and Red Bull are the two favourites going into this year’s Challenge and it should be a fascinating battle between the two teams.
Six-time paralympian Michael Milton (Team Toyota) made it to the summit of Cradle Mountain in a little under 3.5hrs. Milton has had a busy week with the birth of his 2 nd child on Monday night with wife Penny (Angus Rowdy Milton).
Tomorrow competitors will take on the Triple Tops of Mt Roland, Van Dyke and Claude – a total of 19kms before finishing at Lake Barrington International Rowing Course.
SleepMonsters
