199509
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199509 [2016/06/17 18:03] – [Elsie's Tallest Girl] vievems | 199509 [2016/06/17 19:01] – [Wolfe's Wilderness Wanderings] vievems | ||
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by Karen Brading | by Karen Brading | ||
- | "An easy weekend walk including at least 50% with day packs only" the description read of Bill Holland' | + | "An easy weekend walk including at least 50% with day packs only" the description read of Bill Holland' |
- | We left the cars at the top of Meryla Pass and strolled down the firetrail on a clear cold morning with the sounds of lyrebirds. and wrens to entertain us. We passed a clearing | + | |
- | " | + | We left the cars at the top of Meryla Pass and strolled down the firetrail on a clear cold morning with the sounds of lyrebirds and wrens to entertain us. We passed a clearing where a homestead once stood and reached a Y junction, where a track to the left wound steeply downhill towards our evening camping site and the right fork led into a dead end at Lake Yarrunga. |
- | There were ten of us - Bill and Fran Holland, Alan and Anita Doherty, Paul Haines, Linda Mallett, Lorraine Bloomfield, Patrick | + | |
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | There were ten of us - Bill and Fran Holland, Alan and Anita Doherty, Paul Haines, Linda Mallett, Lorraine Bloomfield, Patrick | ||
After lunch we returned to the junction, passing a group of 4 teenagers accompanied by two dogs. One of them remarked that they had just come down through the bush, pointing to his friend' | After lunch we returned to the junction, passing a group of 4 teenagers accompanied by two dogs. One of them remarked that they had just come down through the bush, pointing to his friend' | ||
- | At the junction we went in search of our packs. From behind the, bushes Paul let out a cry - "My pack is gone!" | ||
- | left with day packs only | ||
- | We immediately split into small groups to Search | + | At the junction we went in search of our packs. From behind the bushes Paul let out a cry - "My pack is gone!" |
- | Alan used his eagle eyes to spot some fresh disturbance on the 'uphill bank about 500 metres down the dead-end track to the lake. Out of sight we found three of the four missing packs. Only Lorraine' | + | |
- | lighter wrapped in Lorraine' | + | We immediately split into small groups to search |
+ | |||
+ | Alan used his eagle eyes to spot some fresh disturbance on the uphill bank about 500 metres down the dead-end track to the lake. Out of sight we found three of the four missing packs. Only Lorraine' | ||
Light was failing so we regrouped and made camp outside the locked gate. Clearly the evidence indicated that the 4 teenagers we had passed were the culprits. There were no other people or vehicles in the area. Lorraine enjoyed a smorgasbord dinner and slept in Bill's car. | Light was failing so we regrouped and made camp outside the locked gate. Clearly the evidence indicated that the 4 teenagers we had passed were the culprits. There were no other people or vehicles in the area. Lorraine enjoyed a smorgasbord dinner and slept in Bill's car. | ||
- | During the evening we decided on a plan to catch them red-handed when they returned to the scene of the crime. The teenagers had already told us when they were being picked up by their parents. So the next morning we replaced the packs and took up strategic positions nearby, knowing they would come back before | + | |
- | We were correct. At 10:50am, after nearly. 2 hours in the cold, the sound of barking dogs signalled their return. As two teenagers climbed up the bank straight towards the packs, their dogs sensed three bushwalkers hiding behind the trees. But just before they could give away their positions, Bill jumped up - "Hold it right there!" | + | During the evening we decided on a plan to catch them red-handed when they returned to the scene of the crime. The teenagers had already told us when they were being picked up by their parents. So the next morning we replaced the packs and took up strategic positions nearby, knowing they would come back before |
- | We waited with the teenagers until their fathers arrived and Bill and Alan explained to them What had happened. At 3 pm, 10 bushwalkers crowded into BoWral | + | |
- | The moral of this stoiy is - keep Your pack on your back, or it may be found by someone' | + | We were correct. At 10:50am, after nearly 2 hours in the cold, the sound of barking dogs signalled their return. As two teenagers climbed up the bank straight towards the packs, their dogs sensed three bushwalkers hiding behind the trees. But just before they could give away their positions, Bill jumped up - "Hold it right there!" |
+ | |||
+ | We waited with the teenagers until their fathers arrived and Bill and Alan explained to them what had happened. At 3pm, 10 bushwalkers crowded into Bowral | ||
+ | |||
+ | The moral of this stoiy is - keep your pack on your back, or it may be found by someone' | ||
===== Dot Butler ===== | ===== Dot Butler ===== | ||
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Tasmania 1995\\ by Louise Verdian | Tasmania 1995\\ by Louise Verdian | ||
- | Our group of six congregated over the course of a day at the Youth Hostel in Hobart. We were all greatly excited by the 14 day walk ahead of us: It was to take us along some of the most ' | + | Our group of six congregated over the course of a day at the Youth Hostel in Hobart. We were all greatly excited by the 14 day walk ahead of us. It was to take us along some of the most spectacular |
- | The next morning we were all off to a flying start - showers, hearty breakfasts | + | |
- | And so it was that each one of us doriifed' | + | The next morning we were all off to a flying start - showers, hearty breakfasts and that last minute fiddle with the packs. |
- | The campsite' 'at South Coast'Rivulet was juxtaposed.. between a well sheltered lagoon | + | |
- | We had an early start the next morning as this section of the trip entailed a steady climb Of about 670 metres. In parts the track became quite, Muddy. It meandered through glorious rainforest onto the South Coast Range.. At the end of the range the track suddenly opened | + | And so it was that each one of us donned |
- | l. | + | |
- | Our descent was aided by a well p ' | + | The campsite at South Coast Rivulet was juxtaposed between a well sheltered lagoon |
- | boulders and pebbles. At the entrance to the beach was a gentle waterfall. In the middle of the beach was the campsite set on a plateau some 12 metres above the beach. In the far distance the boulders gradually | + | |
- | to' | + | We had an early start the next morning as this section of the trip entailed a steady climb of about 670 metres. In parts the track became quite muddy. It meandered through glorious rainforest onto the South Coast Range. At the end of the range the track suddenly opened onto a rugged cliff that was to be the descent |
- | beach. We ended the evening watching the sea mist roll in to engulf the beach. | + | |
- | - Our plans for a sidetrip to South Cape the next day were thWarted. Unfortunately a light drizzle had set and the fluted cliffline was shrouded in ,a heavy blanket of cloud. Instead each tent group packed at their own pace and ambled over to ,Surprise Bay. It wadelightful | + | Our descent was aided by a well placed |
- | A party of eight had occupied the campsite at Surprise Bay. We back tracked a small way to a Very large campsite that overlooked the beach. Surprise Bay was ideal for fish:Mg.,' | + | |
- | The trip from Surprise Bay to Osmiridium beach was an easy day.: two hours we were at the campsite beside Taylors creek. After lunch we spent many hours exploring this intriguing beach. The beach was divided | + | Our plans for a sidetrip to South Cape the next day were thwarted. Unfortunately a light drizzle had set in and the fluted cliffline was shrouded in a heavy blanket of cloud. Instead each tent group packed at their own pace and ambled over to Surprise Bay. It was delightful |
- | into two At the western end one could scramble over the rocks, climb the rocks with,the aid of a rope and end up in a a well hidden private cove. It was probably an ideal place to fish. To get ..to the eastern end of the beach one had to venture a little way out into the sea to get around a rocky outcrop and into the other part of the beaa: It was a curious labyrinth | + | |
- | In the late afternoon we had our first clear glimpses of Precipitous Bluff from the beach. The cloud lifted just long enough to admire the' | + | A party of eight had occupied the campsite at Surprise Bay. We back tracked a small way to a very large campsite that overlooked the beach. Surprise Bay was ideal for fishing. Not only were there a number of rocky outcrops from which to throw a line but at the other end of the beach were waist deep pools where the other party had caught a large crayfish. |
- | There was a more serious start to the sixth day of the trip as this day we left those wonderful' | + | |
- | By morning tea we were at the Prion Beach boat crossing. From here one can cross the mouth of New River Lagoon and continue towards the ' | + | The trip from Surprise Bay to Osmiridium beach was an easy day. |
- | Ranges to Malaleuca. In our case we did not cr' | + | into two parts. |
- | The big day had finally arrived - the ascent to Precipitious Bluff High Camp. Cavers Cave was the last place to have a saturation drink and to collect water. From this point we climbed through ancient rainforest. The track was very easy to lose The ribbon markers were either very sparse or. non-existent. | + | |
- | The rainforest ceased abruptly at around 1200 metres. Our track now led us around the base of a precipitous dolorite cliff to a magnificent lunch spot. We had a cloudless view of New River Lagoon, the coastline of Prion Beach and the4ronbound | + | In the late afternoon we had our first clear glimpses of Precipitous Bluff from the beach. The cloud lifted just long enough to admire the majesty of this 1400 metre peak. |
- | As we continued the Climb, the, views became absolutely breathtaking. The final assault was via a narrow gully formed by fallen dolorite columns. We made camp in a small semi sheltered area on the summit. This area was a gently sloping garden of small pandanus, venus fly traps, mosses and 'Alpine grasses. Dolerite boulders were scattered along the peak. | + | |
- | Unfortunately the cloud came over and it quickly became very windy and cold. PesPite,the cloud we still climbed to the summit to make our mark in the logbook.. - On this night everyone retired early to their_tents | + | There was a more serious start to the sixth day of the trip as this day we left those wonderful isolated beaches and headed inland towards Precipitous Bluff. Within |
- | All night our tents were buffeted | + | |
- | Clouds kept rolling. over, the valley throughout the morning | + | By morning tea we were at the Prion Beach boat crossing. From here one can cross the mouth of New River Lagoon and continue towards the Ironbound |
- | On day nine'we started walking in glorious sunshine. At least the sandfly bites were less itchy. We traversed the Kameruka range. It was mostly scrub-covered boulders and forests of six fool: scrub. From Tramp Camp we were in a maze. of eight foot Pandanus Forest and the track was difficult to find. After lunch at Wylie Knob: we walked onto Wylie Plateau to make camp. Again there were no problems finding water as. Huey decided rain, wind and mist were the order of the day. Ian and Paul even decided'to ignore Huey altogether and climb Mt Victoria Cross. | + | |
- | From,,, | + | The big day had finally arrived - the ascent to Precipitious Bluff High Camp. Cavers Cave was the last place to have a saturation drink and to collect water. From this point we climbed through ancient rainforest. The track was very easy to lose. |
- | Now you may be wondering why its called Ooze Lake. I'm not sure as to the true origin of its name but from observation it would appear that the whole mountainside was oozing with water. There were rivulets of water everywhere and we had a very cramped campsite trying to avoid the watercourses. We also had some trouble with boot-stealing wildlife about an hour after we had retired. A quoll had taken a liking to our leader' | + | |
- | From Ooze Lake we walked via Maxwell Ridge and took a sidetrip to Mt La Perouse and the Cockscomb before arriving at Reservoir Lake. It was a very energetic climb to the summit of Mt La Perouse but our efforts were richly rewarded. The summit was barren except' | + | The rainforest ceased abruptly at around 1200 metres. Our track now led us around the base of a precipitous dolorite cliff to a magnificent lunch spot. We had a cloudless view of New River Lagoon, the coastline of Prion Beach and the Ironbound |
- | Reservoir Lake is actually two tiered lakes joined by a small waterfall. The upper lake has a large quartz-like shelf which leads into a beautiful forest of mature mossy King Billy Pines. From Reservoir Lake we had easy access to Pigsty Ponds and Arndefl | + | |
- | The rain didn't let up the next day. We set out in light drizzle and Mist and by mid afternoon we were knee deep in mud and " | + | As we continued the climb, the views became absolutely breathtaking. The final assault was via a narrow gully formed by fallen dolorite columns. We made camp in a small semi sheltered area on the summit. This area was a gently sloping garden of small pandanus, venus fly traps, mosses and Alpine grasses. Dolerite boulders were scattered along the peak. |
- | Our last day was spent Wading | + | |
+ | Unfortunately the cloud came over and it quickly became very windy and cold. Despite | ||
+ | |||
+ | All night our tents were buffeted | ||
+ | |||
+ | Clouds kept rolling over the valley throughout the morning but by early afterhoon started to clear. We donned the day packs and made our way back to Precipitous Bluff summit. At 4pm our two day wait was rewarded by mesmerizing views of Federation and its jagged peaks, the whole southern coastline, New River Lagoon and the surrounding mountain ranges. | ||
+ | |||
+ | On day nine we started walking in glorious sunshine. At least the sandfly bites were less itchy. We traversed the Kameruka range. It was mostly scrub-covered boulders and forests of six foot scrub. From Tramp Camp we were in a maze of eight foot Pandanus Forest and the track was difficult to find. After lunch at Wylie Knob we walked onto Wylie Plateau to make camp. Again there were no problems finding water as Huey decided rain, wind and mist were the order of the day. Ian and Paul even decided to ignore Huey altogether and climb Mt Victoria Cross. | ||
+ | |||
+ | From Wylie Plateau our group wandered to Ooze Lake via Leaning | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now you may be wondering why it' | ||
+ | |||
+ | From Ooze Lake we walked via Maxwell Ridge and took a sidetrip to Mt La Perouse and the Cockscomb before arriving at Reservoir Lake. It was a very energetic climb to the summit of Mt La Perouse but our efforts were richly rewarded. The summit was barren except for a few snow drifts. There was also a huge cairn to which we all added our donation of one rock each. We found a sheltered lunch spot and enjoyed fabulous views over the Swallow Lakes and to the far south including Cockle Creek and the Blow Hole Valley. On the other side of Mt La Perouse summit there were views of the Cockscomb, the Hippo and even Mt Pindar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Reservoir Lake is actually two tiered lakes joined by a small waterfall. The upper lake has a large quartz-like shelf which leads into a beautiful forest of mature mossy King Billy Pines. From Reservoir Lake we had easy access to Pigsty Ponds and Arndell | ||
+ | |||
+ | The rain didn't let up the next day. We set out in light drizzle and mist and by mid afternoon we were knee deep in mud and " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our last day was spent wading | ||
It had been a wonderful trip full of contrast and adventure. Thanks again Ian for a truly memorable experience. | It had been a wonderful trip full of contrast and adventure. Thanks again Ian for a truly memorable experience. | ||
199509.txt · Last modified: 2016/06/17 19:36 by vievems