Australian Alpine Walking Trail (AAWT) - Abridged and Alternate Part 1 of 5

In mid-November 2024 I hiked a shortened version of the AAWT with a number of alternate routes and side trips. I went from Mt Hotham through to Tharwa (Canberra), a little over 500kms. As expected, things didn't always go as planned, mainly due to weather.
This is part 1 of 5. Starts from Mount Hotham through to Cleve Cole Hut at the end of day 3. Includes side trips to Ryders Yards, Kelly and Fitzgerald Huts.

[@Bevlyn20]

That is an excellent hut to finish the day's walk at. I was wondering about animals and then I saw you met up with a snake and a Rabbit. Do you see much in the way of wildlife?

[@oldmanhiking7013]

Not as many as you would think. A handful of snakes, mainly Copperheads, and a few little lizards. Lots of birds around and the sounds of many frogs at various sites. A fox, a wild dog, a couple of rats in Cleve Cole Hut, heaps of kangaroos in ACT and a few humans. Only about 15 to 20 brumbies this year, way down on last year.