If you missed my last post about Jacobs Ladder, go back and check that out. We had ascended this mad road with six switchbacks the day before, but it was far too foggy and we didn't see a thing. This particular morning though was cold, clear and bright, and we were up the Ladder before anyone else.
This time, however, we could see! It definitely made it less scary, even though it's probably the most dangerous road in Australia. We were so glad to be up early too as there was no one to pass on the track which makes it even scarier!!!
The road has six switchbacks which are thrilling to drive and allow for the most amazing views. To be honest it wasn't the most switchbacks we have ever done nor the highest road - Morocco last year was twice as high, far longer and way scarier, but still, this was definitely worth a diversion!!
I never understand why people don't get up early for these kinds of things but I'm glad they don't. We had it to ourselves for two hours and would even walk to the summit which I'll write about in a later post.
There's a great look out at the top where I filmed Jamie going down and up another time. It's a bit shaky but I think I have enough for YouTube. I've been wanting to do a short film for a while so this might just be the content we were after.
Being summer tons of alpine flowers were our which was lovely. We even frightened a rock wallaby with his very fluffy shaggy coat, though he was too fast and too shy for a photo.
For those interested, Jamie had it in low gear all the way up and we had plenty of grunt thanks to the TD5 turbo. The TD5 was the last proper Landie engine and with some mapping and a bigger intercooler she really pulls even with all the weight.
By 11 am there were more cars coming up the mountain. In summer it's accessible by 2wd though your wits about you. I honestly don't know how people do it on ice and snow in the winter. It gets so cold in some parts of Tassie that even a waterfall in the nearby valley can freeze.
Obviously none of the photos truly do it justice but I hope you get a sense of this beauty of a place.
I'm sorry if I haven't replied to many of your comments but I will catch up with you all when I get back. So much of Tassie has no reception so I'm often drafting these in notes and quickly loading photos and scheduling when I get to a town. It does mean that some are out of sequence but I don't suppose it matters a great deal!