Some places we do not go because we want to go. Some places we go because we have to go.
Tributary valley to the Fury. Pentax MX, Ektar 100 November 2022.
I. The Mackintosh Expedition 1828
“...but this was no place to stand still in even for more than one moment’s consideration, for the storm now came in with more violence than ever and completely doubled us up, as we were standing half buried in the snow...Now we had no alternative, retreat into the gully or perish, and we made for the horrid ravine as our only refuge...” 19th November, 1828. Henry Hellyer.
Henry Hellyer was the surveyor given the arduous task of finding suitable grazing country in the north-west of Van Diemen's Land. In 1828, he led a party of five men and a pack of dogs on a desperate journey to explore the rugged country to the west of Cradle Mountain.
They struck out from Burghley on the 7th of November, with two weeks rations, muskets and high hopes, but soon found themselves in country that was too steep to traverse, vegetation that was thick and exhausting to get through, and the weather deteriorated as their trip went on. One day, as they were scrambling down a steep slope, 'Mr Fossey had a bad fall and broke his bottle of brandy'. Dire circumstances indeed.
Having crossed the rising Mackintosh River, Hellyer decided to venture deeper into the mountains toward higher ground and into unexplored territory in an attempt to return to the starting point of their journey. It was a gambit that nearly cost the men their lives.
A few days later, having gone across Granite Tor, they were on the exposed plateau of Pencil Pine Bluff, wading through waist deep snow, unsure which way to go. They were ill prepared to cope with the severe conditions. Their only hope became descending into the immense ravine of Fury Gorge. By seeking refuge in this tremendous gully, they were able to get out of the wind, find water and shelter for the night. The place they most feared to go was the place that saved their lives.
Break in the blizzard. Pentax MX, Ektar 100, November 2022.
To be continued…