Waterfall Valley Hut via Overland Track(edit)

Caught shuttle bus from tourist info centre around 9:40am (buses run around every 10 mins) then hit the trail after about a 15 min bus ride. It had been raining since around 2am. Sometimes quite heavily. It eased off for the start of the hike. However, it didn’t take long and it was raining again. We were in cloud the whole walk. Temps were ok. I wore just a hike top and a rain jacket. Started with grid top as well, but took it off pretty early. Didn’t put rain pants over the hike pants I wore. Hike pants got quite wet on and off with the rain, but seemed to dry in between from wind/body. Macpac rain jacket held up. Wore hike hat to keep rain off my face. Great walking platforms a lot of the way with chicken wire attached. But with the rain, a lot of the track was effectively a small water course and big puddles. Lots of wombat poo, but didn’t spot any. Saw a couple of wallabies. Currajongs were at a couple of points on the trail. We were warned about them and stealing food during the briefing the day before (them and possums when in tent - possums will apparently tear tents to get to food in them. Advice was to leave packs and food inside the huts and just have sleeping mat, sleeping bag and tent - no food smells outside). Very smart birds the currajongs apparently. Various stories told of how they’ll work together to get your food. Can apparently undo zips and latches on bags. Stopped for lunch in kitchen hut. Nearly standing room only. Nice to sit down, but was quite wet and by the end I was feeling a bit cold. Getting up and moving again fixed it. Didn’t need grid top or gloves. At hut now and rain still coming in sideways. We’ve grabbed a couple of bunks inside as it is meant to rain until midnight. Better weather tomorrow. Low point, thought I had some lolly stuck in my teeth. Fished it out with my finger only to find that it was a live leech! Must have been on camel back hose I suspect. Wore knee brace and heel cushion which has helped. Though, stiffening up a bit now we’ve stopped moving. Around 12kms today (we didn’t do Cradle Mountain as we couldn’t see it). Took around 5:45hrs. Lots of assent at the start. Around 540m assent in total over the day I think, based on garmin watch. The hut is very nice. Gas heater in common room. Three bunk rooms, but need a mat as it is a solid surface. Lots of people changed into dry warm gear. Crocs or sandals common at the end of the day. Rain tank water available. Three toilets (they helicopter them pods out when full). Bunks for around 36 people apparently. Tent platforms available too.