tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49527950134155980582024-03-14T16:46:08.248+10:30Notes from a Trail HeadThis blog notes some of my hiking, cycling and paddling treks and trips.
I have a dedicated blog for my 1,200km Heysen Trail hiking adventure at http://jez-heysen.blogspot.com/
Leave a comment, or email me: jez@jeremyc.com.Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-51533048383174397522016-12-29T11:56:00.001+10:302020-05-27T09:32:15.217+09:30Review of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (KIWT)<style>
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<div class="blog_post_2016 id_4952795013415598058"><p><i>It's been 3 years since I last updated this blog. I injured myself in mid 2013 and it took about 2 years to recover. I've been doing plenty of hiking and rogaining since, just not adding it to this blog :(</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb57dxxJ4GovE1iTPW8QY0NTxxymWSyvSmYLZKj7RwrsW8bPFr4T_K5-x31fxL2FnlWKBHxgljjiKE2SCVibAKK76ntzelgE1dhN420tLXp1WwVhXblrv2sllui3Luogdd1XuanlJT_l7T/s1600/The+Cape+du+Couedic+sits+tantalizingly+on+the+horizon+as+the+KIWT+follows+the+cliffs+south+towards+Hakea+Campsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb57dxxJ4GovE1iTPW8QY0NTxxymWSyvSmYLZKj7RwrsW8bPFr4T_K5-x31fxL2FnlWKBHxgljjiKE2SCVibAKK76ntzelgE1dhN420tLXp1WwVhXblrv2sllui3Luogdd1XuanlJT_l7T/s320/The+Cape+du+Couedic+sits+tantalizingly+on+the+horizon+as+the+KIWT+follows+the+cliffs+south+towards+Hakea+Campsite.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="The Cape du Couedic lighthouse sits tantalizingly on the horizon as the KIWT follows the cliffs south towards Hakea Campsite" /></a></div><p class="intro_para">The <a href="https://www.kangarooislandwildernesstrail.sa.gov.au/">Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail</a> is a five day hiking trail along the spectacular coastline of the south-west corner of Kangaroo Island. The trail opened in October 2016. There are campgrounds along the way. The first day in the Rocky River Section (as the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/rocky-river-hike/">Rocky River Hike</a>), and the 5th day in the Kelly Hill Section (as the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-5/">Hanson Bay Hike</a>) can be hiked by anyone, but the middle 3 days are only accessible to people who have paid the $161 trail fee. In the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#suggested-itineraries">Suggested Itineraries</a> section we review shorter ways to walk the trail, including how to hike the sections as day walks. We walked the trail in December 2016, offering the following review.</p><p><i><br />
Although earlier National Parks SA was issuing complimentary trips to blogger influencers, I was not a guest of National Parks SA on this hike trip.</i></p><p><i>This review has been republished with permission on the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/news/review-kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Walking SA website</a>.</i></p><p>Details about each day's walk appears in Walking SA's Find a Place to Walk directory listing for the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail</a>.</p><p>The trail is referred to using the acronym of KIWT on some trail signage, and when using hashtags on social media (#KIWT).</p><h2>Contents of this Review</h2><p>Our review covers the following topics, which you can jump to directly or read the whole article below:</p><ol><li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-comparison">Trail Comparison</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#choose-this-trail-if-you-like">Choose this trail if you like</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#starting-the-hike">Starting the Hike</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-conditions">Trail Conditions Underfoot</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-signage">Trail Signage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#campsites-and-campgrounds">Campgrounds</a><br />
<ul><li>Large communal kitchen and dining shelter</li>
<li>The Bathroom Block</li>
<li>Campsites</li>
<li>Campground Signage</li>
<li>Extra Campground Facilities</li>
<li>Food in Campgrounds</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#maps">Maps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#audio-tour-app">Audio Tour App</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#when-to-walk">When to Walk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#suggested-itineraries">Suggested Itineraries</a><br />
<ul><li>5 Day hike plan</li>
<li>4 Day hike plan #1</li>
<li>4 Day hike plan #2</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#packing-list">Packing List</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#wildlife">Wildlife</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#beaches-and-swimming">Beaches & Swimming</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#bushfires">Bushfires</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#water">Drinking Water</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#mobile-reception">Mobile Reception</a></li>
<li><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#detailed-trail-sections">Details of each Trail Section</a></li>
</ol><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-comparison" name="trail-comparison"></a>Trail Comparison</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOFv4R8SC9XvP7Apke1QkGng3PbJFlF8AaTapgZoJnzNnc4EUdUjeyEFb95ULAlzd1ILJkrJ1FQt0yIssr6ADQ35KA2gayVJPYmh5FIyzd5HSdpusNLeYrBsr_mKM_16fwyOiR8qKSB2g/s1600/Views+into+Sanderson+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOFv4R8SC9XvP7Apke1QkGng3PbJFlF8AaTapgZoJnzNnc4EUdUjeyEFb95ULAlzd1ILJkrJ1FQt0yIssr6ADQ35KA2gayVJPYmh5FIyzd5HSdpusNLeYrBsr_mKM_16fwyOiR8qKSB2g/s320/Views+into+Sanderson+Bay.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is compared in marketing to Tasmania’s <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>, but this is maybe a bit of a stretch. Economically it certainly aspires to that, but in practice it’s like the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a> mixed with Victoria’s <a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/intro/">Great South West Walk</a>, or perhaps mixed with Western Australia’s <a href="https://www.capetocapetrack.com.au/">Cape-to-Cape Track</a>. It has the quality of campground facilities like the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>, but it’s landscape is not as diverse. The landscape is more like the coastal cliff section of Victoria’s <a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/intro/">Great South West Walk</a>, but the highlights are more dramatic, and without any long beach walks. It could be compared more to Western Australia’s <a href="https://www.capetocapetrack.com.au/">Cape-to-Cape Track</a> in that is has a mix of inland forest, long cliff walks and beautiful beaches, but without any long beach walks.</p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOAZw_MT9-PUSuAXQ0_wcM3Qr8KJ9RjJyPaxQP4cJsAzuJimpJp0W6Y7HY1nZ-j9ZKcJ_SW5zhKDrNnjELG2xvBFRFNpY8VSawriXt1JSGi7CJAsOUuHSSJYfeOpbhdaizGUKP1I46P9a/s1600/Grassdale+kitchen+and+dining+shelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOAZw_MT9-PUSuAXQ0_wcM3Qr8KJ9RjJyPaxQP4cJsAzuJimpJp0W6Y7HY1nZ-j9ZKcJ_SW5zhKDrNnjELG2xvBFRFNpY8VSawriXt1JSGi7CJAsOUuHSSJYfeOpbhdaizGUKP1I46P9a/s200/Grassdale+kitchen+and+dining+shelter.jpg" alt="Campground facilities on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail are good. Each campground has a communal kitchen and dining shelter like this one, with 4 picnic tables, a dishes and food prep area and filtered water." width="200" height="150" /></a></div>The facilities are exceptional, easily superior to all other trail campsite facilities within South Australia. The State has really stepped it up. Much of the <a href="https://heysentrail.asn.au/">Heysen Trail</a> has only basic facilities, no doubt in no small part to the lower numbers of hikers. The facilities in national parks have been headed in this direction for a while, with bespoke architecture for bathroom buildings and picnic shelters.</p><p>Some may criticize that the trail isn't wilderness, but by being a trail it inherently has lots of people. You also visit some of Flinders Chase National Park's most visited sites, but the campsites are generally isolated and the walking reasonably remote.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#choose-this-trail-if-you-like" name="choose-this-trail-if-you-like"></a>Choose this trail if you like</h2><p>If you had walked Tasmania’s <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a> but no other Australian trails, we're not sure you'd be so happy with the comparison of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>. However, you'd probably enjoy the wildlife, and there are other people walking the trail.</p><p>Choose to walk this trail if you like a combination of:</p><ul><li>coastal walking, particularly cliffs</li>
<li>encountering wildlife, both on land and sea</li>
<li>a variety of landscapes including rivers, coastal cliffs, tea tree and mallee scrub, forest (small sections)</li>
<li>some of the trails listed in the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-comparison">Trail Comparison</a> section above</li>
<li>walking in the Flinders Ranges</li>
<li>trails with well set up campgrounds</li>
<li>walking with some people around, and seeing similar people each night (it's limited to per day 12 independent plus 12 people in tour groups)</li>
<li>not really needing to read the map (it's easy to follow and well marked)</li>
</ul><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#starting-the-hike" name="starting-the-hike"></a>Starting the Hike</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvawhQ2xJb2jhI8859qWy-1aWGqxiEgWOwjJJIlmsx0tQ_0VkNYNRypYXebjVvoJYbh9v_FMFny09DLWnC_F11KiUvSxdZW3_jfBktE1QMzqlTByMO4-VFEtSi8OIAPDbepuU5jyyItca/s1600/The+Kangaroo+Island+Wilderness+Trail+1%252C35+000+scale+map+and+130+page+guidebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvawhQ2xJb2jhI8859qWy-1aWGqxiEgWOwjJJIlmsx0tQ_0VkNYNRypYXebjVvoJYbh9v_FMFny09DLWnC_F11KiUvSxdZW3_jfBktE1QMzqlTByMO4-VFEtSi8OIAPDbepuU5jyyItca/s320/The+Kangaroo+Island+Wilderness+Trail+1%252C35+000+scale+map+and+130+page+guidebook.jpg" alt="The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail 1:35 000 scale map and 130 page guidebook. You receive both when you check-in for the start of the walk at Flinders Chase Visitor Centre." width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Like the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>, numbers of walkers is tightly controlled, perhaps even more so. Each day up to 12 independent hikers and a tour group of up to 12 hikers can begin at the trailhead at Flinders Chase Visitor Centre. All hikers walk in the same direction. Booking online is easy, and the price of $160 for independent hikers is comparable to the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>. A detailed 1:35 000 map and guidebook is provided, both need to be collected from the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre when you commence the hike. No doubt this ensures everyone gets a map, but one suspects it also keeps trail information less readily accessible to those who might seek to avoid the booking fee. It also ensures everyone views the safety information, which is presented via a five minute iPad video. You can watch the video in the reception area or café, and it covers the basics of keeping to the trail, warnings of trail conditions, wildlife, cliff edges and the risks of swimming in the ocean.</p><p>The Flinders Chase Visitor Centre is 1.5 hours drive from Penneshaw. Park in the normal carpark and head into the main reception to check-in. You’ll watch the video and have the opportunity to ask any final questions. They’ll provide directions to where to park your vehicle – it’s not a secure carpark by any means, but it’s a short walk back to the Visitor Centre to begin the hike.</p><p>The trail starts with all the other walking trails at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre. The first day’s hike (as with the last day’s hike) takes in existing walking trails, including the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/platypus-waterholes-walk/">Platypus Waterholes Walk</a> and the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/rocky-river-hike/">Rocky River Hike</a>. As such anyone can hike these trails and the first (and last) day of the KIWT. This is also true of the final section of the trek from <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/hanson-bay-hike/">Hanson Bay to Kelly Hill Caves</a> (the end of Day 4, all of Day 5.)</p><p>Your booking fee includes your vehicle’s entry fee/permit to the national park (Flinders Chase National Park.) If on the trek you skip the 9.8km return sidetrip to Admirals Arch, on the day you finish you can still drive down to Cape du Couedic and walk the 800m return hike from the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/admirals-arch-walk/">carpark to Admirals Arch</a>. They’ll also let you know that after you complete your trek you are welcome to have a shower at the nearby Rocky River Campground. Actually anyone can have a shower there, for people not camping there it is $4 per person, but as a KIWT guest the shower is complimentary.</p><p>Using a bus to get to the trailhead at Flinders Chase Visitor Centre can be tricky, as there are not many options and they may be expensive.</p><p>The cafe at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre is open from 9am to 5pm (the kitchen closes at 3:30pm) and serves coffee, alcohol, sandwiches and hot food.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-conditions" name="trail-conditions"></a>Trail Conditions Underfoot</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstr4xAQtJe41bf_kaFON1c55mb1t5vubpc-12Q4E9DAT-EPiYtvENJ1utc5cJZ5RxLwTgDSzrzOCFCLps0RwD_T5dffsXxfndGuZPabDrDkvJajPtc5esfuit7SYsbzZsfjRB6H4gHJ6Z/s1600/Trail+conditions%252C+especially+along+the+coast%252C+is+rocky+with+some+sandy+infills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstr4xAQtJe41bf_kaFON1c55mb1t5vubpc-12Q4E9DAT-EPiYtvENJ1utc5cJZ5RxLwTgDSzrzOCFCLps0RwD_T5dffsXxfndGuZPabDrDkvJajPtc5esfuit7SYsbzZsfjRB6H4gHJ6Z/s320/Trail+conditions%252C+especially+along+the+coast%252C+is+rocky+with+some+sandy+infills.jpg" alt="Trail conditions, especially along the coast, is rocky with some sandy infills" width="320" height="182" /></a></div>The trail pavement is classed as Grade 4 in the Australian Standard. Such trails are defined as being <em>suitable to experienced bushwalkers</em>, include <em>rough track with limited signage</em> (we think there is adequate signage), <em>contain steep sections</em> (the trail is generally flat), and <em>consists of one to many days long</em>.</p><p>It consists mostly of dirt trails inland, and sandy trails through dunes, or predominately rocky paths along the coastal cliffs. The rock isn’t loose, but are eroded rock base covered in some sand. This can make for some sore feet at the end of the day.</p><p>The trail includes walking 1.5 km along a single beach. You need to check the tide times, which you will receive when you check in at Flinders Chase Visitor Centre. During high tide there is an alternative trail through the dunes, but it is quite sandy and close to the dune edge. Also hooded plovers nest on the beach between the high tide mark and the sand dunes, so you will need to walk on the wet sand, or at high tide use the alternative route. These are protected species which are listed as vulnerable (there are less than 800 in South Australia) and their nests are very vulnerable to being walked on.</p><p>The coastal sections are predominately exposed to both wind and sun, with little or no shade. The inland sections are softer underfoot and often shady.</p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gdu5WpZ-XDhhIvaxQ3qck4e3x8UAQf4-W0naRfNEKofYSDEd8AqkRaD1LuHhqz5sP8FAZAA-3vPAnaC1bOmrxyZmgVX0e-kY4qNh88JAHpYZwWrHKrxld62BFEgAY2R1y3NP_s1dreEA/s1600/Haul+the+boat+across+the+river+by+pulling+on+the+rope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gdu5WpZ-XDhhIvaxQ3qck4e3x8UAQf4-W0naRfNEKofYSDEd8AqkRaD1LuHhqz5sP8FAZAA-3vPAnaC1bOmrxyZmgVX0e-kY4qNh88JAHpYZwWrHKrxld62BFEgAY2R1y3NP_s1dreEA/s320/Haul+the+boat+across+the+river+by+pulling+on+the+rope.jpg" alt="Haul the boat across the river by pulling on the rope. A taut steel cable keeps the boat on a direct path between the two sides" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>On Day 4, the trail crosses the South West River. A boat has been tethered here to allow walkers to cross the 15 metre expanse of water. The boat is simple enough to operate. It is about the size of a small dinghy and rated to 225kg, which is defined as 1 person and 1 pack, but you can do the math. To operate the boat you pull one of the two ropes (although it’s actually one rope with a pulley at each end.) Your hands will get wet from the rope as the rope is slack enough to fall into the river surface. A taut steel cable from one side of the river to the other ensures the boat doesn’t deviate from the a straight path across the river. When your party is safely across, you could politely return the boat to the other side ready for the next party, which is easy to do, but does mean the next party doesn’t benefit from a practical understanding of how the boat and rope system works by first moving the boat without people in it. If the boat is out of service or you’re not keen on the set up, you can return to the Hanson Bay road you crossed and walk along that road to Hanson Bay and cross the river where it comes out at the ocean. The mouth of the river is often closed by the beach. This would add an extra 1.5 km to get to the other side, and less if you’d have walked to Hanson Bay on the spur trail sidetrip.</p><p>Many hikers like to use walking poles, and this trail is well suited to them. There are no duckboards as in Tasmania, and the trail is rarely narrow. The trail is never a wide fire track or road, but is a consistent 600mm to 1 metre wide path. There are a couple of grid surface bridges or boardwalks, especially on the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/platypus-waterholes-walk/">Platypus Waterholes Walk</a>, where poles are too tricky to use, but these distances are minimal.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#trail-signage" name="trail-signage"></a>Trail Signage</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVe7qSZxIfqSxVSjoBE_jhIfHZHns6gKSj3gMYmLJpobbOyzWaTVZmMgeWAl8DhSEVwwVGPpV1T0C3773lHkrLd6VnuoQgIJdS0bQ9BXh2XzKnLSlRld_ZSUlmiNqR9ctYb0XpAjZdTQV/s1600/Each+day%2527s+hike+is+clearly+marked+into+sections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVe7qSZxIfqSxVSjoBE_jhIfHZHns6gKSj3gMYmLJpobbOyzWaTVZmMgeWAl8DhSEVwwVGPpV1T0C3773lHkrLd6VnuoQgIJdS0bQ9BXh2XzKnLSlRld_ZSUlmiNqR9ctYb0XpAjZdTQV/s320/Each+day%2527s+hike+is+clearly+marked+into+sections.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Each day's hike is clearly marked into sections, here Day 1 is KIWT Rocky River and Day 2 is KIWT Maupertuis" /></a></div>Trail signage is generally excellent, being both clearly and consistently signposted, and with frequent posts. The trails along the coastal cliffs, particularly on Day 2, are lacking in the same frequency of sign placement, however it isn’t difficult to follow the path, even though at times it seems indistinct. The entry and exit points along the beach walk are clear, and the red-topped posts visible from some distance.</p><p>All trail signs are colour coded, and when you are on shared paths the other trails are similarly colour coded. The KIWT signs are green. When the trail leaves the shared trail there is usually a warning to other trail users that the KIWT is a long distance trail for registered guests only.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#campsites-and-campgrounds" name="campsites-and-campgrounds"></a>Campgrounds</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx4Idz9fD07rYEibkpXFRsC-RRNy8e3zSCGaN5hNhig_FMMj-2nTmNpbeYsKPRrzKbwk4byrQudjeqoYXrBkLacMayN2aVR2x26PpNUXNZGYfn2KGVtFBPsxwdoqUd1BleO-w3kPGdXxW/s1600/The+bathroom+blocks+and+kitchen+shelters+are+all+nicely+designed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx4Idz9fD07rYEibkpXFRsC-RRNy8e3zSCGaN5hNhig_FMMj-2nTmNpbeYsKPRrzKbwk4byrQudjeqoYXrBkLacMayN2aVR2x26PpNUXNZGYfn2KGVtFBPsxwdoqUd1BleO-w3kPGdXxW/s320/The+bathroom+blocks+and+kitchen+shelters+are+all+nicely+designed.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="The bathroom blocks and kitchen shelters are all nicely designed" /></a></div>As stated in the introduction, the campground facilities are probably superior to most other trails in Australia, and certainly South Australia. No doubt this is no small part to the age of the trail and its aspiration to be a world class trail.</p><p>However, unlike the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>, there are no closed buildings or dormitory buildings. The communal kitchen and dining shelter has walls on two sides, and is generally open and airy. This is ok as it well suited to the South Australian climate and low rainfall. The shelters are comparable to Western Australia’s <a href="https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/">Bibbulmun Track</a>, but on a larger scale, modern and without sleeping platforms. A better comparison might be some of the newer, larger shelters on Northern Territory’s <a href="https://nt.gov.au/leisure/recreation/bushwalking-hiking/larapinta-trail">Larapinta Trail</a>, except larger and again without sleeping platforms.</p><p>The lack of sleeping platforms means carrying a tent is a must, but this approach would make managing numbers and communal spaces easier. Rainfall is low and all the campgrounds are carefully positioned away from coastal winds, so are well suited to tents.</p><p>Each of the four campgrounds consist of the same elements:</p><ol><li><strong>Large communal kitchen and dining shelter</strong><br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBjDh7e_d4Haz-Q6pgo7XttRHJ66bEhpY_SU9XOhFK1mTj6JjDGzgSx7HRMJRhrBfPl74Df4MCLsm_VUIqsrlfbKn7n0-tjSoEj_04_mPvJlELI_v_SFKPFvJGQW7Bp7qk5nnl7Xc0uH/s1600/The+kitchen+and+dining+shelter+at+Sanderson+Beach.+The+shelter+here+differs+from+others+with+a+viewing+platform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtBjDh7e_d4Haz-Q6pgo7XttRHJ66bEhpY_SU9XOhFK1mTj6JjDGzgSx7HRMJRhrBfPl74Df4MCLsm_VUIqsrlfbKn7n0-tjSoEj_04_mPvJlELI_v_SFKPFvJGQW7Bp7qk5nnl7Xc0uH/s320/The+kitchen+and+dining+shelter+at+Sanderson+Beach.+The+shelter+here+differs+from+others+with+a+viewing+platform.jpg" alt="The kitchen and dining shelter at Sanderson Beach" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>The shelter is architecturally designed and 10 metres long by 5 metres wide with a concrete floor and solar lighting.</p><p>Each has four picnic tables – two positioned inside and two outside. Each picnic table would sit six comfortably or eight people.</p><p>There is additional bench seating for 7-8 people beside the cooking and sink area. A large cooking preparation and sink bench sits at one end. Cooking is by gas canister or liquid fuel only. The sink here has two taps – one with filtered water which has to be hand pumped (about 15-20 pumps per litre) and one normal tap. The water flows slows, no doubt as a control measure to reduce water wastage. If filling water bottles, the single tap on one of the three large water tanks beside the shelter flows much quicker. None of the water is treated, and they encourage you to treat it yourself. However the structures are new and well designed to reduce tank water contamination. For instance, each roof is fitted with a <em>First Flush Diverter</em>. This device works by allowing the first lot of water from rain to clean the roof of debris and to capture that debris in an overflow device. Subsequent water, which is uncontaminated, then flows into the tank. This ensures water flows into the tank only when there is a good volume of rainfall, rather than during passing showers.</p><p>There is a fire extinguisher in each kitchen and dining shelter.</p><p>This communal kitchen and dining shelter serves as the focus area of the campground, and as such contains a whiteboard where hikers can share messages and warnings. Park rangers usually visit daily and update the weather forecast.</p><p>The communal kitchen and dining shelter is normally the first structure you will see on entering the campground.</p></li>
<li><strong>The Bathroom Block</strong><br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAG-OT6EmTwVh-7jYotgH7ggVCoh1J-l_qsilp2Q49fNZxiTQpX4N7dZtJBibnNITSBGSVU9-B2qhyphenhyphenk_wcwV_axX0RjzdFM3MDRWljBYyN2y-XAA_OzZoqK4yeo53afD-rEKGrWJu0m0Vj/s1600/The+bathroom+facilties+consist+of+two+toilets%252C+one+inside+a+wheelchair+accessible+size+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAG-OT6EmTwVh-7jYotgH7ggVCoh1J-l_qsilp2Q49fNZxiTQpX4N7dZtJBibnNITSBGSVU9-B2qhyphenhyphenk_wcwV_axX0RjzdFM3MDRWljBYyN2y-XAA_OzZoqK4yeo53afD-rEKGrWJu0m0Vj/s320/The+bathroom+facilties+consist+of+two+toilets%252C+one+inside+a+wheelchair+accessible+size+room.jpg" alt="The bathroom facilties consist of two toilets, one inside a wheelchair accessible size room. There are two wash basins, one outside as seen here, and the other inside the larger toilet room" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>The bathroom block is often nearby to the kitchen and dining shelter. It too is architecturally designed. It consists of two toilets. Each toilet is an eco toilet which is sustainable and generally odourless. Each is equipped with toilet paper, so you can skip or reduce your toilet paper quantity on your packing list. As rangers generally visit daily we wouldn’t expect supplies to run low. Each toilet is designated as unisex, and comes with a biochem disposal container for sharps and needles. It’s open at the top so not suitable for menstrual pads or tampons. The toilets being eco toilets are sensitive to foreign objects, so don’t use them as rubbish bins. As with most campgrounds in Australia in natural environments, whatever you bring in you should carry out (carry rubbish out.)</p><p>There are also two sinks set in wide vanity units, one is in the larger of the two toilets, the other is outside but somewhat shielded from public view. The sinks have plugs in them, but these might go missing. As with the kitchen taps, the water flow here is slow, so trying to fill the sink for a personal wash is slow, encouraging you to minimise water usage. The drains aren’t magic (durgh), the water drains into soakage pits nearby, so consider what you put down them.</p><p>If there were 24 people in the campground you might well expect to wait to use these facilities during busier times of day.</p></li>
<li><strong>Campsites</strong><br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy08jHzJo63kEWiXN_IABaPKwma34TLDNpsiRht3AR1V5y7GhQC03ALtGQXOJlDzA8kC-imNTsSXMN5RTMPHTf-ZFJaZxibvZyfD7IDDQKOhT17YtwNDY3YVG3F54-d8uuVAA2_VrZKhyphenhypheni/s1600/The+independent+hikers+camp+sites+within+Cup+Gum+Campground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy08jHzJo63kEWiXN_IABaPKwma34TLDNpsiRht3AR1V5y7GhQC03ALtGQXOJlDzA8kC-imNTsSXMN5RTMPHTf-ZFJaZxibvZyfD7IDDQKOhT17YtwNDY3YVG3F54-d8uuVAA2_VrZKhyphenhypheni/s320/The+independent+hikers+camp+sites+within+Cup+Gum+Campground.jpg" alt="The independent hikers camp sites within Cup Gum Campground. There are 9 camp sites here for the up to 12 people who have booked onto the hike today. 5 are timber tent platforms, and 4 are gravel tent sites, all of various sizes" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>The campsites are separated into two areas, one for independent hikers and the other for tour groups. This is the only separation between independent hikers and tour groups. So unlike the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a> where you only see the other group on the trail, and not sharing camp facilities at night time, you will be eating dinner and sharing facilities at night time.</p><p>The campsites are well laid out, separate from nearby sites or clustered together in sets of two or three. So if you’re hiking with friends you can place your tents close together, but if you’re hiking alone it’s easy enough to set up your tent away from others. All the campgrounds have some shady campsites for those that arrive early in camp and want to take a nap in their tent. There are nine campsites for the individual hikers and a similar number for the group tours. Unlike the <a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771">Overland Track</a>, the group tour campsites are not large platforms for many people but rather collections of single tent sites, which we agree is more suitable for tours. There are some timber camping platforms, but only on Night 1 (Cup Gum Campground) and in the tour group area of Night 2 (Hakea Campground.) It’s not clear why these tent platforms exist, their use on other trails is either to minimise people’s impact on the immediate environment or to simply create mud-free campsites. Regardless, they are a nice feature. Some have benches built into them which is a really nice touch. One good feature with tent platforms of course if that you can remove your shoes and walk around on it without getting your feet particularly dirty. Cooking isn’t actually permitted on the tent platforms or the gravel camp sites, they ask people to cook only in the kitchen and dining shelter.</p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2zwnSyCluBRznCOxC7kMytrS7bPIkVOMkhKg_wzCl4aSxo10w6fWsDRDa0g9Ho2JV1XNGxba-F-Xx5hOGVF6E90SxjZ4PfVn_pnL3fH1-mYibTy9NxE3g64Z-JwRNGeTp7CVkrSASuMB/s1600/There+are+timber+tent+platforms+at+Cup+Gum+Campsite%252C+and+in+the+tour+group+area+of+Hakea+Campsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2zwnSyCluBRznCOxC7kMytrS7bPIkVOMkhKg_wzCl4aSxo10w6fWsDRDa0g9Ho2JV1XNGxba-F-Xx5hOGVF6E90SxjZ4PfVn_pnL3fH1-mYibTy9NxE3g64Z-JwRNGeTp7CVkrSASuMB/s320/There+are+timber+tent+platforms+at+Cup+Gum+Campsite%252C+and+in+the+tour+group+area+of+Hakea+Campsite.jpg" alt="There are timber tent platforms at Cup Gum Campsite, and in the tour group area of Hakea Campsite. Some like this one feature benches (behind tent). There are bars around the sides and pop-up tent pegs to secure your tent to (bring some string or rope)" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>As in Tasmania, when using the tent platforms you can’t use pegs. There is an almost continuous bar around the sides of the platform for securing rope or string to – unlike Tasmania there are no wires already present to hook in to, so be sure to bring some string or light rope. However the tent platforms do come with pop-up anchor points scattered across the platform – maybe 6-9 per platform, which can make it easier to secure your tent down.</p><p>Regardless of whether you use a timber tent platform or a gravel tent site, you won’t need a protector matt underneath your tent. Some hikers prefer to use these to add further protection to their tent’s floor from the protrusion of sticks and sharp rocks, but there won’t be either here.</p></li>
<li><strong>Campground Signage</strong><br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3lMkjseSng6SZMCLXZ6I844G4a8bVsUnLdiNdecVEGORs494ZrSGcsAJsX_5khL91PwFQzfnYFa2HXPP1mY26oRUeZlZeEarVZ7Zqx_timJD2SoNCQ8C-MzAEQMSjN-NRCKrbbrDGdO_/s1600/Signage+around+campgrounds+is+excellent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3lMkjseSng6SZMCLXZ6I844G4a8bVsUnLdiNdecVEGORs494ZrSGcsAJsX_5khL91PwFQzfnYFa2HXPP1mY26oRUeZlZeEarVZ7Zqx_timJD2SoNCQ8C-MzAEQMSjN-NRCKrbbrDGdO_/s320/Signage+around+campgrounds+is+excellent.jpg" alt="Signage around campgrounds is excellent, even pointing to the exit back to the trail, which is useful as the large campground with many trails can be disorientating." width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Signage around campgrounds is excellent, even pointing to the exit back to the trail, which is useful as the large campground with many trails can be disorientating. Do wander down some of the many paths as you might be delighted to discover a small dead-end alcove consisting of a park bench or two. They are well designed in non-uniform shapes, so will fit many body sizes and no doubt many body aches. My favourite was the chaise lounge. These park benches are scattered throughout the campground, and this really helps to decentralize communal areas by creating numerous hang-out spots.</p></li>
<li><strong>Extra Campground Facilities</strong><br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpYLM_bdHd-iBs3yQpB9tw4HTprkTBJ-9dWC9wjw3P8ZN2BUTXF1XI9qkuGHK-iIcUpeMXQ4zxaBCVhpbsOK610s9o6HDz6W_sgThpuQ0_kee4JExqE2CgLThnJ7UHLQ1J3tsjqR-9Yt8/s1600/There+is+a+campfire+at+Tea+Tree+Campsite+-+the+only+campfire+along+the+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpYLM_bdHd-iBs3yQpB9tw4HTprkTBJ-9dWC9wjw3P8ZN2BUTXF1XI9qkuGHK-iIcUpeMXQ4zxaBCVhpbsOK610s9o6HDz6W_sgThpuQ0_kee4JExqE2CgLThnJ7UHLQ1J3tsjqR-9Yt8/s320/There+is+a+campfire+at+Tea+Tree+Campsite+-+the+only+campfire+along+the+trail.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="There is a campfire at Tea Tree Campsite - the only campfire along the trail. Wood is supplied. The campfire can only be lit outside of the summer Fire Danger Season" /></a></div>Each campground is more or less identical, just varying the layout of elements to suit the local environment. However there are two of the campgrounds with extra elements:</p><ul><li>Butterfly Campground has a raised viewing platform or patio coming off the Kitchen and Dining Shelter</li>
<li>Grassdale Campground has a fire pit, it’s small, and as firewood collection is prohibited in national parks, firewood is supplied. It can only be used outside of the Fire Danger Season, so generally only from May to October. The firepit is adjacent the kitchen and dining shelter. Grassdale Campground is also unique in that a river bisects the campground, with the kitchen and dining shelter and bathroom on one side, and a bridge linking to the campsites on the other.</li>
</ul><br />
</li>
<li><strong>Food in Campgrounds</strong><br />
<p>There are no food lockers in the campgrounds, so be sure to stow all your food inside your pack inside your tent. There is so much wildlife on Kangaroo Island you’d be tempting fate to leave food outside, even if in your pack. Birds are a problematic at Hakea Campground (Night 2), not so much because people have been feeding them but simply because they have learnt so quickly where food is kept (inside zippers in packs.) The same birds can be amusing to watch as they admire their reflection in the stainless steel benches in the kitchen shelters. On food lockers, there are shelf units on the vehicle access point, used by tour operators. These tracks can often be found by following the path beyond toilets. The shelving units are just that, they aren’t lockable or otherwise secure, and are for use solely by tour operators. As there are no food lockers, there are also no food drop locations or food swap areas as can be seen on trails elsewhere in Australia. Being only a five day trail, food drops aren’t really necessary anyway.</p></li>
</ol><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#maps" name="maps"></a>Maps</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfjlPpum_AxCDVEhQIp_DTeRhCVe8beQ9IAgBOZzRidvXesZTFokYkN0P3pZjf2rU-YhAksDKTUUtIlx0d02q_CTkhHovRVynfYo4BHxt-3ZJo_WOdKJ0y_dLO3CpQvluuNMOD2-Q_w7U/s1600/The+guidebook+for+the+KIWT+is+very+informative+about+wildlife+along+the+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfjlPpum_AxCDVEhQIp_DTeRhCVe8beQ9IAgBOZzRidvXesZTFokYkN0P3pZjf2rU-YhAksDKTUUtIlx0d02q_CTkhHovRVynfYo4BHxt-3ZJo_WOdKJ0y_dLO3CpQvluuNMOD2-Q_w7U/s320/The+guidebook+for+the+KIWT+is+very+informative+about+wildlife+along+the+trail.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="The guidebook for the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is very informative about wildlife along the trail. The 1:35 000 topographic map is well detailed." /></a></div>A detailed 1:35 000 map and guidebook is provided, both need to be collected from the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre when you commence the hike. No doubt this ensures everyone gets a map, but one suspects it also keeps trail information less readily accessible to those who might seek to avoid the booking fee. It also ensures everyone views the safety information, which is presented via a five minute iPad video.</p><p>The 1:35 000 map is very detailed (most maps in South Australia have less detail at 1:50 000 scale), and includes an overall map on one side, with detailed inset maps of sections like Flinders Chase Visitor Centre, Cape de Couedic and Kelly Hills Caves. There is also an elevation profile (although really the trail is generally flat) which is nicely detailed showing the vegetation types found along the way.</p><p>The 1:35 000 folds to DL size (9.9cm wide by 21cm high), unfolds to A1 size (84cm wide by 59cm high). It weighs 60g.</p><p>The guidebook includes useful information about ancient and modern history, and detailed info about birds and wildlife, as well as descriptions of each day’s walk and each night’s campground. View the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Contents-of-Kangaroo-Island-Wilderness-Trail-guidebook.pdf">contents page of the guidebook</a>. If you are travelling in a group we’d recommend carrying one book between the whole group.</p><p>The guidebook is A5, 130 pages and weighs 250g.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#audio-tour-app" name="audio-tour-app"></a>Audio Tour App</h2><p>There are thirty guided audio tours to enjoy while you walk using the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail Audio Tours app.</p><p>Regretabbly we didn't use this app along the way. We'd expect the maps are based on <a href="https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/how-it-works.html">Avenza PDF Maps app</a> which is excellent for use in national parks in South Australia. The <a href="https://www.kangarooislandwildernesstrail.sa.gov.au/trip-essentials">official website</a> describes it as:</p><blockquote>Each tour is rich in immersive soundscapes and narration making the stories of the trail come to life. For each day, there is a geo-enabled map which offers walkers the ability to track your location even without an internet connection.</blockquote><p>Mobile reception on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is limited, so be sure to download the app and each of the five tours before starting your walk. If you forget, we have outlined where to find some <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#mobile-reception">mobile reception on the trail</a>.</p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/id1153196626?mt=8" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="padding:0; border:0;" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKu8hCRn5Q7IR5JIDklp9LrpjM09YNPX87oXRXitPTUKPmFAz0a1pH4DkDDXOl0lUOrIdMW9fkwEgUhAciEHprKL7g0ccAFuF56eOv5NNVB3GKgyIV-Bk5nrImj0lExS4bOYLe7wNtHsQ/s1600/app-store.png" /></a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app1004" imageanchor="1" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="padding:0; border:0;" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf54ESHLoA1Zc9kP4igGm7mvFGijlyHh3CJXPq0iOUpy8lWjUWk94IJedK-verwSwJTbzWtE98nUzVz6jQI1JnWlsScWJQ0I5hav7b0SW7GTZCPzXbf_8lgtvZ4-XcKvPCFJk0jMySH_F/s1600/google-play.png" /></a></p><h2 style="clear: left;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#when-to-walk" name="when-to-walk"></a>When to Walk</h2><p>The official advice is anytime. From October there are few or no tour groups operating. Summer is often too warm, or at least too unpredictable, although temperatures on Kangaroo Island are generally cooler than the mainland. Generally anything over high 20s is considered uncomfortable for hiking. Walking in summer increases the risk of a Catastrophic Fire Danger being declared, and walkers will be evacuated off the trail if this occurs.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.kangarooislandwildernesstrail.sa.gov.au/trip-essentials">official website</a> has a section titled <em>Trip preparation</em> › <em>Seasons</em> which outlines the benefits of walking in each season.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#suggested-itineraries" name="suggested-itineraries"></a>Suggested Itineraries</h2><p>The trail is a five day trail, and we've outlined those five days with suggested times in the table below. Below that we have also outlined some short itineraries for those with less time.</p><p>There are also pack transfer services being offered (where a tour operator such as <a href="https://www.westernki.com.au/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Western KI Caravan Park</a> transfers your pack to the next campsite each day), and also options where tour operators or accommodation providers will drop you off each morning and pick you up each afternoon, so you don't have to camp out at the campgrounds.</p><h3>5 Day hike plan of Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail</h3><table class="wsa_table_walk plan-1"><thead>
<tr> <th rowspan="2">Day</th> <th rowspan="2">Section Name</th> <th rowspan="2">From</th> <th rowspan="2">To</th> <th rowspan="2">Distance</th> <th rowspan="2">Sidetrips</th> <th colspan="3">Walk Times</th> </tr>
<tr> <th>Slow</th> <th>Average</th> <th>Fast</th> </tr>
</thead> <tbody>
<tr> <td nowrap>Day 1</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-1/">Rocky River Section</a></td> <td>Flinders Chase Visitor Centre</td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>12.4km</td> <td>None</td> <td>5 hours</td> <td>4 hours</td> <td>3 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 2</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2/">Maupertuis Section</a></td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>14.1km</td> <td>Optional <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2-or-3-sidetrip/">to Admirals Arch</a> (9.8km return, 3-4 hours) - do in the afternoon of Day 2 or morning of Day 3</td> <td>8 hours</td> <td>7 hours</td> <td>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 3</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-3/">Sanderson Section</a></td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>Banksia Campground</td> <td>13.0km</td> <td>2.3km (to Remarkable Rocks, and to Sanderson Beach)</td> <td>8 hours</td> <td>6.5 hours</td> <td>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 4</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-4/">Grassdale Section</a></td> <td>Banksia Campground</td> <td>Tea Tree Campground</td> <td nowrap>13.3km</td> <td>Optional sidetrip to Hanson Bay Beach (700m return)</td> <td nowrap>8 hours</td> <td nowrap>6.5 hours</td> <td nowrap>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 5</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-5/">Kelly Hill Section</a></td> <td>Tea Tree Campground</td> <td>Kelly Hill Caves picnic area</td> <td>7.6km</td> <td>None</td> <td>3 hours</td> <td>2.5 hours</td> <td>2 hours</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table><h3>4 Day hike plan of Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail</h3><p>Invariably people may want to walk the trail over 4 days, or if walking fast find some of the days too short.</p><h4>4-Day Plan #1</h4><p>This plan combines two days (Days 3 and 4) and is <em>only recommended for faster walkers</em>:</p><table class="wsa_table_walk plan-2"><thead>
<tr> <th rowspan="2">Day</th> <th rowspan="2">Section Name</th> <th rowspan="2">From</th> <th rowspan="2">To</th> <th rowspan="2">Distance</th> <th rowspan="2">Sidetrips</th> <th colspan="3">Walk Times</th> </tr>
<tr> <th>Average</th> <th>Fast</th> </tr>
</thead> <tbody>
<tr> <td nowrap>Day 1</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-1/">Rocky River Section</a></td> <td>Flinders Chase Visitor Centre</td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>12.4km</td> <td>None</td> <td>4 hours</td> <td>3 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 2</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2/">Maupertuis Section</a></td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>14.1km</td> <td>Optional <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2-or-3-sidetrip/">to Admirals Arch</a> (9.8km return, 3-4 hours) – do in the afternoon of Day 2 or morning of Day 3</td> <td>7 hours</td> <td>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 3</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-3/">Sanderson Section</a> + <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-4/">Grassdale Section</a></td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>Tea Tree Campground (lunch at Banksia Campground)</td> <td>26.3km</td> <td>3.0km (to Remarkable Rocks, to Sanderson Beach, and to Hanson Bay Beach)</td> <td nowrap>13 hours</td> <td nowrap>8 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 4</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-5/">Kelly Hill Section</a></td> <td>Tea Tree Campground</td> <td>Kelly Hill Caves picnic area</td> <td nowrap>7.6km</td> <td>None</td> <td nowrap>2.5 hours</td> <td>2 hours</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table><h4>4-Day Plan #2</h4><p>This plan uses the average times, but drops the fifth day, and makes the fourth day shorter (end at Hanson Bay) to enable time to drive the 1.5 hours to the ferry. It would be reasonable that people might want to walk over Easter, or add one day to a three day weekend. We highly recommend that if coming over on the ferry the evening prior to walking, that you not try and drive to Flinders Chase near dusk, the wildlife on the road is numerous and very hazardous, especially after passing Vivonne Bay.</p><p>Another option is to drop Day 1 from the 5-day plan, and begin your hike at Snake Lagoon Campsite (the car camping area), and begin walking the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/snake-lagoon-hike/">Snake Lagoon Hike</a> until it meets up with the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. It would add negligible distance, but we'd suggest you start walking early in the morning as the Day 2 Maupertuis Section is long.</p><table class="wsa_table_walk plan-3"><thead>
<tr> <th rowspan="2">Day</th> <th rowspan="2">Section Name</th> <th rowspan="2">From</th> <th rowspan="2">To</th> <th rowspan="2">Distance</th> <th rowspan="2">Sidetrips</th> <th colspan="3">Walk Times</th> </tr>
<tr> <th>Slow</th> <th>Average</th> <th>Fast</th> </tr>
</thead> <tbody>
<tr> <td nowrap>Day 1</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-1/">Rocky River Section</a></td> <td>Flinders Chase Visitor Centre</td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>12.4km</td> <td>None</td> <td>5 hours</td> <td>4 hours</td> <td>3 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 2</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2/">Maupertuis Section</a></td> <td>Cup Gum Campground</td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>14.1km</td> <td>Optional <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2-or-3-sidetrip/">to Admirals Arch</a> (9.8km return, 3-4 hours) - do in the afternoon of Day 2 or morning of Day 3</td> <td>8 hours</td> <td>7 hours</td> <td>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 3</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-3/">Sanderson Section</a></td> <td>Hakea Campground</td> <td>Banksia Campground</td> <td>13.0km</td> <td>2.3km (to Remarkable Rocks, and to Sanderson Beach)</td> <td>8 hours</td> <td>6.5 hours</td> <td nowrap>4.5 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Day 4</td> <td><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-4/">Grassdale Section</a></td> <td>Banksia Campground</td> <td>Hanson Bay</td> <td>10.7km to Hanson Bay Road, optional 600m down road to beach</td> <td>None</td> <td nowrap>6 hours</td> <td nowrap>5.5 hours</td> <td nowrap>3.5 hours</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#packing-list" name="packing-list"></a>Packing List</h2><p>The <a href="https://www.kangarooislandwildernesstrail.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/kangaroo_island_wilderness_trail/kiwt-packing-list-fact.pdf">packing list supplied on the KIWT website</a> is generally quite good. We’d suggest skipping the toilet paper or not bringing much of it (as it is supplied in toilets.) We’d also suggest you don’t need gaitors on this trail. The trail is wide and well formed, so they aren’t necessary. Do use gaitors if your primary concern is to offer some protection from snake bites to the lower legs.</p><p>If you're considering whether to wear trainers or runners instead of hiking boots, there are no river crossings to get your feet wet on, and the trail is generally not a muddy one. The river crossings that do exist use bridges or boats.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#wildlife" name="wildlife"></a>Wildlife</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh393LIL-tvpmXb_x5pEBFm2l0ht1JE9o2wRoHa7MROG3psIXTCPCGgYrbiB3aD4C4Yxw_vQ8pBtTz__DSdFTDOQ6LOKPycRurzn7DyIoumkjsRHemgK_RaYQnY7A9fcQOYU4kT19cXCoVZ/s1600/Watch+the+seals+play+and+bash+in+the+sun+on+the+Admirals+Arch+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh393LIL-tvpmXb_x5pEBFm2l0ht1JE9o2wRoHa7MROG3psIXTCPCGgYrbiB3aD4C4Yxw_vQ8pBtTz__DSdFTDOQ6LOKPycRurzn7DyIoumkjsRHemgK_RaYQnY7A9fcQOYU4kT19cXCoVZ/s320/Watch+the+seals+play+and+bash+in+the+sun+on+the+Admirals+Arch+Walk.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Watch the seals play and bash in the sun on the Admirals Arch Walk" /></a></div>What wildlife you see will vary depending on the seasons. Kangaroo Island has abundant wildlife, and the Wilderness Trail is no different. You might expect to see:</p><ul><li>echidnas (but less so in summer)</li>
<li>platypus (shy)</li>
<li>tammar wallabies</li>
<li>kangaroos</li>
<li>koalas (less so near the coast)</li>
<li>southern brown bandicoots (shy)</li>
<li>rosenbergs goannas (a monitor lizard) </li>
<li>white bellied sea eagles</li>
<li>hooded plovers</li>
<li>pied oysterchatchers</li>
<li>dolphins</li>
<li>long nosed fur seals</li>
<li>australian fur seals</li>
<li>australian sea lions</li>
<li>tiger snake (hopefully just one slithering away eh. There are two varieties of snake on Kangaroo Island, both have the same anti venom treatment)</li>
</ul><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#beaches-and-swimming" name="beaches-and-swimming"></a>Beaches & Swimming</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGw84lMLeoPmE8cIT-Ihio3fDAoatyCucJkMvS57GcEa09nZUwh0cBhyphenhyphenCuXL7KLB7howq8UhDo-97o1s2o1r5T03UgeDYl4dX2D6klpBpqLjvst_yRHQajBj3abN-3tTp5XgVjhQ9_lix/s1600/Where+the+trail+enters+Maupertuis+Beach+is+clearly+marked%252C+with+an+alternate+trail+along+the+top+of+the+sand+dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGw84lMLeoPmE8cIT-Ihio3fDAoatyCucJkMvS57GcEa09nZUwh0cBhyphenhyphenCuXL7KLB7howq8UhDo-97o1s2o1r5T03UgeDYl4dX2D6klpBpqLjvst_yRHQajBj3abN-3tTp5XgVjhQ9_lix/s320/Where+the+trail+enters+Maupertuis+Beach+is+clearly+marked%252C+with+an+alternate+trail+along+the+top+of+the+sand+dunes.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Where the trail enters Maupertuis Beach is clearly marked, with an alternate trail along the top of the sand dunes" /></a></div>There are only three beaches on the trail. Day 1 and Day 5 are inland, but Days 2, 3 and 4 are coastal. However the coast is mostly cliff, and whilst there are some small beaches they are generally inaccessible by foot.</p><p>Officially they advise against swimming, but we can offer the following advice about the three beaches:</p><ol><li><p><strong>Maupertuis Beach</strong></p><p>You will walk 1.5 km along this beach on Day 2. Watch out for Hooded Plovers which make their nests in the sand above the high tide mark and the dunes. The beach is remote and can only be accessed by hikers. The best place to swim on this beach is towards the end of the beach, around the sandy headland. Here there is a large lagoon, formed by a shallow reef further out to sea.<p></li>
<li><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMwMBNf7stFZNLJJKFGKAw5bwoEhsbielQAvh7Eg_wIbsOCISHQdtgYttqAQDZxSUIMU6qzCqTQDv66BdwpHCf1k4R26c7JktW_PH8RRQtVyXI2stU1IJCOrKryvXdHKEaiIlAXfn71fX/s1600/The+remote+Sanderson+Beach%252C+on+the+Kangaroo+Island+Wilderness+Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMwMBNf7stFZNLJJKFGKAw5bwoEhsbielQAvh7Eg_wIbsOCISHQdtgYttqAQDZxSUIMU6qzCqTQDv66BdwpHCf1k4R26c7JktW_PH8RRQtVyXI2stU1IJCOrKryvXdHKEaiIlAXfn71fX/s200/The+remote+Sanderson+Beach%252C+on+the+Kangaroo+Island+Wilderness+Trail.jpg" width="200" height="107" alt="The remote Sanderson Beach, on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The beach is only accessible by walkers on the trail." /></a></div><strong>Sanderson Beach</strong></p><p>The beach here is on a spur trail near the finish campground on Day 3. The beach can make good swimming, but as always be very wary of waves and rips (stay close to shore.) The beach is remote and can only be accessed by hikers.</p></li>
<li><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOpSjiXAWQvurLE3xcIFj_qDOhmI0fjLAfN2fXjFb7nA4FavlxtVSU4tIFXuZObz0i3BbiFeJ6hfh3Ee3xioZVXscXFrfycje_lI6yMdf_Tn-XBzKeF5onQYe2vfGHzeqQjAT1qQIDYUx/s1600/Hanson+Bay+Hike+trailhead+at+Hanson+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOpSjiXAWQvurLE3xcIFj_qDOhmI0fjLAfN2fXjFb7nA4FavlxtVSU4tIFXuZObz0i3BbiFeJ6hfh3Ee3xioZVXscXFrfycje_lI6yMdf_Tn-XBzKeF5onQYe2vfGHzeqQjAT1qQIDYUx/s200/Hanson+Bay+Hike+trailhead+at+Hanson+Bay.jpg" width="200" height="150" alt="The walking trail comes out onto Hanson Bay" /></a></div><strong>Hanson Bay Beach</strong></p><p>This beach is a public beach accessible by road, and is on a short spur trail on Day 4. It’s a beautiful calm beach, suitable for swimming for most swimmers.</p></li>
</ol><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#bushfires" name="bushfires"></a>Bushfires</h2><p>Bushfires are a real concern in south-east Australia, including Kangaroo Island. The Fire Danger Season begins in October or November, and continues through to March. During this time campfires are not permitted in any national parks.</p><p>Each day during the Fire Danger Season a Fire Danger Warning is issued. There are six ratings:<p><ul><li>Low-moderate</li>
<li>High</li>
<li>Very high</li>
<li>Severe</li>
<li>Extreme</li>
<li>Catastrophic</li>
</ul><p><i>If a Catastrophic warning is declared for the Kangaroo Island Fire Ban District for the following day, the national park will be closed and the trail evacuated.</i> Rangers or tour operators will make arrangements to get people out of campgrounds and out of the park. This would be unfortunate but with the very real danger to life, largely unavoidable. Besides, it would make very hot walking anyway.</p><p>Fire warnings and weather forecasts are posted by a ranger daily on the noticeboard in each campground.</p><p>Marked on the map are <em>Last Resort Refuges</em> (marked by red triangles) and Assembly Areas (marked by yellow triangles). The Last Resort Refuges are just as the name suggests, usually an open area offering minimal protection, and there are just two on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.</p><p>Assembly Areas are located at:</p><ol><li>each of the four campgrounds on the trail</li>
<li>Admirals Arch carpark (Day 2 or 3)</li>
<li>Remarkable Rocks carpark (Day 2 or 3)</li>
<li>Kelly Hills Caves picnic area (Day 5)</li>
</ol><p>Last Resort Refuges are located at:</p><ol><li>At Admirals Arch, on the platform under the arch (Day 2 or 3)</li>
<li>At Grassdale, in the middle of the open grassed area near Edwards Cottage (Day 4 or 5)</li>
</ol><p>Other logical places are the three beaches on the trail, at:</p><ol><li>Maupertuis Beach (Day 2)</li>
<li>Sanderson Beach (Day 3)</li>
<li>Hanson Bay Beach (day 4)</li>
</ol><p>Never seek refuge in a rainwater tank or pond. Avoid seeking refuge in a pool or river.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#water" name="water"></a>Drinking Water</h2><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmjEfPet8Ssw5wNZbOdy2dKFwGCnxVprCC7DmWVAVhmVrjdiEy0gUqJ7r4__Wp0RB7RW_i_6Rhzymuuv6eHqEw4u6AxDVA97IYo-Qf84ObmK5wM6hrcQ2VC8INLY5B86qrQUR4MwiG2eB/s1600/There+is+filtered+tap+water+available+in+the+kitchen+area.+They+recommend+to+treat+all+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmjEfPet8Ssw5wNZbOdy2dKFwGCnxVprCC7DmWVAVhmVrjdiEy0gUqJ7r4__Wp0RB7RW_i_6Rhzymuuv6eHqEw4u6AxDVA97IYo-Qf84ObmK5wM6hrcQ2VC8INLY5B86qrQUR4MwiG2eB/s320/There+is+filtered+tap+water+available+in+the+kitchen+area.+They+recommend+to+treat+all+water.jpg" width="320" height="226" alt="There is filtered tap water available in the kitchen area. They recommend to treat all water" /></a></div>The supply of drinking water on this trail is considered very reliable, unlike some other areas of South Australia. The campgrounds have been well designed to capture a lot of rainfall, with 3 water tanks off the main kitchen and dining shelter, 2 off of the bathroom shelter, and extra storage tanks near the road access point. We would anticipate that should water run low, that water tankers would refill water (hence the connected water tank at the road access point.)</p><p>You can obtain water in the kitchen and dining shelter. The sink here has two taps – one with filtered water which has to be hand pumped (about 15-20 pumps per litre) and one normal tap. The water flows slows, no doubt as a control measure to reduce water wastage. If filling water bottles, the single tap on one of the three large water tanks beside the shelter flows much quicker. None of the water is treated, and they encourage you to treat it yourself. However the structures are new and well designed to reduce tank water contamination. For instance, each roof is fitted with a First Flush Diverter. This device works by allowing the first lot of water from rain to clean the roof of debris and to capture that debris in an overflow device. Subsequent water, which is uncontaminated, then flows into the tank. This ensures water flowing into the tank only does so when there is a good volume of rainfall, rather than during passing showers.</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#mobile-reception" name="mobile-reception"></a>Mobile Reception</h2><p>Mobile phone reception is generally limited to Telstra. We didn’t check for reception thoroughly along the trail, but we can provide information about each campground:</p><ul><li>Flinders Chase Visitor Centre: excellent reception, but only nearby to the building</li>
<li>Night 1 (Cup Gum Campground): some limited reception, maybe no data service though</li>
<li>Night 2 (Hakea Campground), none</li>
<li>Night 3 (Banksia Campground): not sure</li>
<li>Night 4 (Tea Tree Campground): 1 or 2 bars with data</li>
<li>Kelly Hill Caves (end of the trail): good reception</li>
</ul><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#finishing-the-hike" name="finishing-the-hike"></a>Ending the Hike</h2><p>The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail ends at the visitor centre and picnic area at Kelly Hill Caves.</p><h3>Trail Transfers</h3><p>When booking the trail through the website, you can also purchase a shuttle service for an additional $25. The bus will be at Kelly Hill Caves at your day of arrival at 2:45pm.</p><p>Alternatives to provide you with more timing flexibility include:</p><ul><li>using multiple cars between friends (a car shuffle: leave one car at Kelly Hill Caves and one at Flinders Chase Visitor Centre).</li>
<li>Exploring options with other tour operators, for instance the <a href="https://www.westernki.com.au/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Western KI Caravan Park</a> offers guests who book cabins or camp at their caravan park transfers to and from the start and end of the trail. The caravan park is situated midway between the start and end points, so is ideally placed for this.</li>
<li>One person from your group could ride a bicycle which you have stored at Kelly Hill Caves. The ride is 17km, and there are several hills (you are after all starting in Kelly <em>Hills</em>).</li>
</ul><p>In the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#suggested-itineraries">Suggested Itineraries</a> section we review shorter ways to walk the trail.</p><h3>Showers and Laundry</h3><p>After you complete your trek you are welcome to have a shower at the Rocky River Campground near the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre. Actually anyone can have a shower there, for people not camping there it is $4 per person, but as a KIWT guest the shower is complimentary.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.westernki.com.au/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Western KI Caravan Park</a> also offers complimentary showers to hikers finishing the trail. The <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Kelly+Hill+Caves/Western+KI+Caravan+Park,+7928+S+Coast+Rd,+Karatta+SA+5223/@-35.9709351,136.8412061,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x6aad25e12bdad93f:0x109f33b2023791e4!2m2!1d136.90742!2d-35.9811799!1m5!1m1!1s0x6aacd804b6813b57:0x252d73d162e63ec1!2m2!1d136.8100936!2d-35.9606928?hl=en">caravan park is 10km west</a> of Kelly Hill Caves, just 7km before reaching the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre.</p><p>Groceries are available nearby from the <a href="https://www.westernki.com.au/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Western KI Caravan Park</a> and Vivonne Bay General Store (closed at Dec 2016 due to fire but expected to reopen early 2017).</p><h2><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-kangaroo-island-wilderness.html#detailed-trail-sections" name="detailed-trail-sections"></a>Details of each Trail Section</h2><p>Details about each day's walk appears in Walking SA's <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">Find a Place to Walk directory listing</a> for the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.</p><p>We've listed each of the 5 sections on a separate entry, or read the <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kangaroo-island-wilderness-trail/">summary page</a>.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-1/">Day 1, Rocky River Section</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2/">Day 2, Maupertuis Section</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-2-or-3-sidetrip/">Day 2 or 3, optional sidetrip to Admirals Arch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-3/">Day 3, Sanderson Section</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-4/">Day 4, Grassdale Section</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/kiwt-day-5/">Day 5, Kelly Hill Section</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com8Flinders Chase National Park, South Coast Rd, Flinders Chase SA 5223, Australia-35.97462 136.7325882-35.987457 136.7124182 -35.961783000000004 136.75275820000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-7656550675098945612013-05-20T20:04:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:35:53.629+09:30Mt Woodroffe, #7 of the State 8<div class="intro_para" style="padding-bottom: 25px;">Is it OCD? That sees a list of the eight highest peaks in Australia's states and territories and then wants to tick them all off? Maybe. This one, Mt Woodroffe - South Australia's highest peak - was my number seven, of eight, the so-called State 8, or Aussie 8. Apparently I'm not alone in my affliction, there were 28 other people booked onto this tour.</div><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mt Woodroffe climb/hike</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Duration</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">1 day hike (3 day trip)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Start/end</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Ngarutjara (3 day trip to/from Uluru)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Friday</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Drive from Yulara, Uluru, to Ngarutjara camp (base of mountain)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Saturday</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Hike up Mt Woodroofe (Ngarutjaranya) 1435m</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Sunday</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Drive from Ngarutjara camp (base of mountain) back to Yulara, Uluru</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Area</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">APY Lands (permit required)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Bookings</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><a href="https://www.aboriginalaustralia.com.au/tour_info.cfm?id=168">Diverse Travel Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.seitoutbackaustralia.com.au/">SEIT Outback Australia</a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Topographic Maps</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">1:250 000 Mt Woodroffe SG52-12: <a href="https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=GEOCAT_DETAILS&catno=45304">printed map</a>, <a href="https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=GEOCAT_DETAILS&catno=58873">on-demand 1:100 000 print</a>, <a href="https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=GEOCAT_DETAILS&catno=64725">free download (official map)</a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;" colspan="2"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.pdf" title="View route marked on topo map"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.jpg" style="width:280px;height:225px;"></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><p style="clear:left;">The only way to access Mt Woodroffe, in the remote APY Lands in northern SA, was via a <a href="https://www.seitoutbackaustralia.com.au/" title="SEIT Outback Australia">tour group</a>. Once a year they run a trip in, and it's the only one with permission from the Traditional Aboriginal Owners to do so. It's also rare for them to give anyone else permission, so the tour is the most practical way to do it. It makes Mt Woodroffe the most difficult of the State 8 to organise.</p><p>With the permission in mind, at our camp on the first night near the foot of the mountain, we were visited by Lee, one of the Custodians. As can happen in these situations, we took him all a bit too seriously, almost missing his first joke and his fine sense of humour.</p><p>When he first sat by the fire, he took his shoe off to warm his foot, complaining about the severe pain in his foot that a heel spur was giving him. Of course we doubted - I can hear your mocking cries now - that he would make it to the top of Mt Woodroffe. We were equipped with all our expensive hiking gear, when he looked more like he had come from fixing a car (he had, as it turned out). Of course, how wrong we were, it was Lee who led the charge up the first steep waterfall rockface. Few followed up the waterfall though, preferring to pick an easier route over a gung-ho approach. There was no doubt that Lee got into as much mischief now as he did when he was a ten year old boy.</p><p>Later Lee's father, aged 82, arrived. It quickly became apparent that he would talk in exchange of cups of tea, and if the tea disappeared so would he. He talked with a hint of humour in his slow words. He'd only been learning English in the last 10 years, evidently taught by the many school girls that came out here on school trips (<a href="https://www.seitoutbackaustralia.com.au/" title="SEIT Outback Australia">SEIT</a> tours core business is ten-day school Aboriginal cultural camps, this being one the campsites they use for that). I'm not sure how much that skewed his vocabulary, but in exchange he would teach them his language.</p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/MtWoodroffe7OfTheState8#5880001550527992098"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JuEfatjE1EA/UZn2QbH3kSI/AAAAAAAAMjA/7i-Ka-xaLAA/s640/Mt%2520Woodroffe%2520from%2520Ngarutjara%2520campsite%2520IMG_1878.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<p>On our first day, after arriving at camp, we were taught how to not use the supplied swag, and a discussion ensued about the wisdom of camping in the creek bed, with it soft sand and shade. Normally, of course, this is a poor decision - to camp in a creekbed - but when you can see the headwaters, just a mere 7km away up the mountain, it's pretty safe to camp, even in a wide creek. I've done it before when the headwaters can be seen. If it rains, and especially if it rains a lot, then it's time to move. Pretty hard to miss rain in a swag.</p><p>We drove over to the foot of the mountain, to assess routes to hike and climb up the following day. Being a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogaining" title="Wikipedia: Rogaining is a sport of long distance cross-country navigation, involving both route planning and navigation between checkpoints">rogainer</a>, I was already formulating a few options into plans, and on the drive closer was able to clarify some of them. At the foot, with most of the mountain obscured behind the immediate base, advice was given as to the easiest routes, and as to where the harshest spinifex lay.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/MtWoodroffe7OfTheState8#5880001416802330562"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_6zsozf1B58/UZn2Io9L58I/AAAAAAAAMis/dcUF0h27KU8/s400/IMG_1870.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Before dawn the following day, we drove back to the base and at first light set out. It was a case of each to their own, or better still, in small groups. A few set out directly from the cars with a short but sweet route, a straight up the mountain. It was a route plotted through the harshest spinifex, but nonetheless a sound route. Most others followed Lee to the waterfall rockface, before quickly dispersing by a variety of routes. For a while there it looked like we would find about 29 different routes up the mountain. I took a gentle route around the waterfall, taking my plotted course up to the ridge in the east, before hiking up the long spur to the summit. It was the easier route, relatively free of spinifex, and easy to navigate. Although I got to the top first, even having taken the longest route, I had hiked alone, and no doubt that allowed for some speed. It was just seven minutes later that the next group arrived, having taken the most direct route up from the cars.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/MtWoodroffe7OfTheState8#5880001372548427394"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TigGTyfWlRk/UZn2GEGO7oI/AAAAAAAAMik/6pWNVb_fmTs/s400/IMG_1851.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>For all my efficiency and speed in getting to the top quickly and with minimal spinifex injuries, I must have banged my head on the way down - maybe I should wear a safety helmet on such climbs - for I momentarily lost my mind. I decided against taking the three additional people now hiking with me along the long distance ridge, and decided on a shortcut down. Ricky, perhaps sensibly, decided to hike on along the ridge to the western end and it's unnamed summit. It wasn't long down our shortcut that it became obvious - this was no shortcut, and indeed, it took us longer to complete then the distant route. Thankfully I brought those three companions to share the misery of my foolishness. Ricky, having completed his second peak climb, caught up with us near the base. So much for our shortcut. Encouragingly, it seemed that everyone was slower on the trip down, compared to their trip up.</p><p>The view from the top took in distant Uluru and Kata Tjuta, some 130km away across the NT border. The Musgrave Ranges spread out to the east and west, a mess of scraggly mountains. Many South Australians don't know what lies up here, thinking that St Mary Peak in the Flinders Ranges, on the Wilpena Pound rim, is the highest peak in South Australia. It's not. Here in the Musgrave Ranges lie 21 mountains over 1,000 metres, and the top seven mountains of the State. St Mary Peak comes in as the 8th highest. Mt Woodroffe rises 680 metres above the surrounding plains.</p><p><a href="https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/whatson/whattosee/special/images-of-the-interior/all"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/images-interior_hackett.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>An old stone surveyor's cairn marks the top of the mountain. A <a href="https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/whatson/whattosee/special/images-of-the-interior/all" title="At the summit of Mt Woodroffe. Anthropologist Norman Tindale is standing on the cairn. Pitjantjatjara men accompanied them to the summit. Photo by Cecil Hackett, June 1933.">famous photo</a>, taken in 1933, with three Pitjantjatjara guides, shows how the cairn originally appeared. The mountain was named after George Woodroffe Goyder, the 1857 South Australian Surveyor General highly regarded - at least now anyway - for his work in establishing what became known as Goyders Line, the line across the state that marks arable farming land from that which is not sustainable farming land. He was mocked at the time, but hey, at least there's the odd thing around the state named in his honour.</p><p>My skills in the exploration of the stone cairn fell well short of my skills displayed in getting up the mountain, and it was someone else who found the logbook in a rusted old can buried deep in the stone cairn. The word 'logbook' is a somewhat generous description, it was almost entirely a collection of rotten indecipherable paper fragments, with the odd modern addition of single pieces of paper. Why some people feel the need to describe the 'marvelous' or 'spectacular view' they saw is beyond me, it's really quite self evident to others who have managed to get there to read the logbook. Anyone with the misfortune of climbing in poor weather, which really is misfortune in Central Australia's stable weather, would hardly find enlightenment with the description of the view in the few moments they spent huddled on the leeward side of the stone cairn before heading back down. </p><p>With 29 people on our tour, every one of them made it to the top of Mt Woodroffe that day. Whilst it's cliched to say "there's one in every crowd", it was nonetheless true. If there is one thing more fun than 29 people on a tour, it's this: 29 people offering advice to the one person who is scruffing around in the red dust under the vehicle with a car jack replacing a blown tyre. That wasn't quite true, we had two vans and a ute for the tour, so whilst there were plenty offering advice, it wasn't quite as bad as 29 people. It was a big tour group, I had been warned when I booked that if the tour didn't reach the minimum of four people, it would be cancelled. Last year it was cancelled, with just two bookings.</p><p>So in my State 8 pursuit I've been all around the country and found many hiking places to return to. <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/overland-track-entry-2-of-3.html" title="The Overland Track, Mt Ossa, 2008 blog entry">My first peak</a>, Mt Ossa, in Tasmania was mostly accidental, a side trip on the Overland Track. I almost gave up climbing it too, if it hadn't been for Tim's enthusiasm. Now five years later, only one remains. A crazy plan is in place to complete it - Queensland's Bartle Frere. We shall see my friend, we shall see.</p><br />
<p>View photo album in <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5880000928381392209">Google Plus</a> (9 photos).</p><b>More photos to come</b><br />
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<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.htm" width="706" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.gpx">Download GPX file of the Mt Woodroffe summit climb hike</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-05-18-Mt-Woodroffe-South-Australia-State-8.kml">Download KML file of the Mt Woodroffe summit climb hike</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table><br />
<div style="background: #e0e0e0; padding:10px;"><h2>My State 8 (Aussie 8)</h2>The highest peak in each Australian state and territory:<br />
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal !important;"><li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/mt-kosciuszko-4-of-state-8.html" title="Mt Kosciuszko, New South Wales (NSW), 2228m">Mt Kosciuszko</a>, New South Wales (NSW), 2228m, March 2012</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/mt-bogong-5-of-state-8.html" title="Mt Bogong, Victoria (VIC), 1985m">Mt Bogong</a>, Victoria (VIC), 1985m, March 2012</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/bimberi-peak-3-of-state-8.html" title="Bimberi Peak, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), 1913m">Bimberi Peak</a>, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), 1913m, March 2012</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://www.peakclimbs.com/peak/Bartle-Frere/59/view" title="Bartle Frere, Queensland (QLD), 1622m">Bartle Frere</a>, Queensland (QLD), 1622m, <b>NOT YET DONE, June 2013?</b></li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/overland-track-entry-2-of-3.html" title="Mt Ossa, Tasmania (TAS), 1617m">Mt Ossa</a>, Tasmania (TAS), 1617m, December 2008</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/mt-zeil-nts-highest-peak-state-8.html" title="Mt Zeil, Northern Territory (NT) 1531m">Mt Zeil</a>, Northern Territory (NT), 1531m, July 2012 (first attempt <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/hiking-to-mount-zeil-from-redbank-gorge.html">August 2011</a>)</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/mt-woodroffe-state-8.html" title="Mt Woodroffe, South Australia (SA), 1435m">Mt Woodroffe</a>, South Australia (SA), 1435m, May 2013</li>
<li style="background:none; list-style-type: decimal !important;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/mt-meharry-was-highest-peak.html" title="Mt Meharry, Western Australia (WA), 1252m">Mt Meharry</a>, Western Australia (WA), 1252m, June 2010</li>
</ol></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1Mount Woodroffe, Ngarutjara Homeland SA 0872, Australia-26.3183333 131.74333330000002-51.840367799999996 90.434739300000018 -0.79629879999999886 173.05192730000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-11197440081729518522013-01-08T19:10:00.003+10:302020-05-27T09:32:20.350+09:30Caught! A hike turns into prison island<div class="intro_para" style="padding-bottom: 25px;">The Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania is isolated - it is essentially a series of islands joined to the mainland by two narrow isthmuses. With those natural barriers you can see why it was chosen as the site for the notorious Port Arthur prison for re-offending convicts – those convicts who committed crimes whilst serving sentences in other Australian convict prisons. Despite the prison closing in 1877, over the past few days the peninsula has again became a prison island for residents and travelers alike. Bushfires burning on the mainland and the upper peninsula isolated those beyond the fires. But like the odd convict, I made a successful escape on a fishing barge.</div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989719335199282"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q0klSkiM3Es/UOvWQX3t4jI/AAAAAAAAMTw/z6VELzTVFIw/s640/IMG_1277.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<p>Having completed a hike through some of the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2012/12/western-arthurs-south-west-tasmania.html">Western Arthurs</a> in South West Tasmania, I bid my farewell to Kate, Tim and lil' Gracie, who we established in the last couple of days was making a sound that was quite probably my name. I bussed it out to Eaglehawk Neck, on the Tasman Peninsula, for four marvelous days of easy hiking, camping and novel reading along the Tasman Coastal Trail, near Port Arthur.</p><p>Of course I didn't know that the bus trip out was a tour of the soon to be devastated and somewhat grim bushfire zone. Glad I looked out the window at the quaint little towns and the glimpses of houses settled in pretty forests.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989994367625762"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7y6-fnMFwH8/UOvWgYcjqiI/AAAAAAAAMVA/0YeI7rbnyNc/s400/IMG_8567.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>From Eaglehawk Neck, having encouraged some fellow backpackers that no-one would care if they camped freely on the beach, after all I was planning something similar, I hiked along the beach towards Doo Town. I had no appreciation for that town name yet, every bloody house was named "Doo-Little" or "Doo-Relax" or something else equally corny. Later I learned the town name came from the first shacks, named using that convention, rather than the shack names from the town name. Now that's much more original. </p><p>I hiked along a short track, checking out the creations the sea had made in the limestone cliffs - blowholes, caves and canals. From Waterfall Bay I planned to set out on the Tasman Coastal Trail, a short distance to a pleasantly named Camp Falls. Time was getting on, it was well past seven, and even with the 9pm sunset I was nervous, what if there was no water there, or, as it didn't appear on all official maps, no campsite in the forest? Staring blankly at my map while standing at the trailhead, readying myself to take that first nervous step along the trail, two people stumbled out of the bush, looking for the said campsite. Clueless in the where-am-I-map-reading-game, they had clearly walked past some picturesque waterfalls, perhaps looking for something more like a five star campsite than simply a clearing beside a waterfall. I didn't want to seem rude by telling them their map reading skills were evidently craptacular, so we wandered around looking for a suitable place to lay the tents. They were ever optimistic, "the campsite might me down here", yes surely, a name like Camp Falls wouldn't be at all derived from its proximity to said falls. I settled on a fire track junction, as good a clearing as any in the sunset, and they continued on looking for the Lost Gold of the Mayans, amongst other things. </p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989719876620194"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_eJUEORFdQ/UOvWQZ4zT6I/AAAAAAAAMT0/FSfxGsGG_aw/s400/IMG_1273.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>The following morning, when I came upon Camp Falls, I was of course devastated, it was gorgeous. A fantastic secluded campsite in the forest, easily room for half a dozen tents, no mud, and not one but two sets of Norsca shampoo style waterfalls, the other aptly named Shower Falls. Which I thought, of course (as I am wont to do) was a bloody brilliant idea.<!-- until a couple of day walkers came along and thought my Norsca impression wasn't half as nice to watch. Maybe 2013 should be the year I do that NYE resolution to join a gym. And be bored shitless in a hot room. No thanks, out looking for Norsca waterfalls sounds like much more fun.--></p><p>I continued on my merry way, soon realising my own map reading skills hadn't been too brilliant as I made a 500 metre ascent of a mountain in the way of my planned campsite. By lunchtime after another refreshing swim, this time in the pleasant waters of Bivouac Bay, I settled down for an afternoon of reading at the campsite. A 500-page book was just perfect. Yes yes I hear you, but on a Kindle, too heavy to carry all the books I intended to read on this hiking trip.</p><p>The following day I returned to Camp Falls, I couldn't possibly pass up camping here. Sitting quietly on a nearby headland overlooking the ocean, I contemplated how marvelously I had organised this particular trip. Great hiking, great campsites, great water and great books. Perfect. Then the ocean turned a distinct orange hue, and my circumstances changed quite dramatically.</p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989996035059346"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtun6lLqlaWaFzVTvbQZtH394NaHbvmANlBJ4RX_r2YkVD43XwKCrOnjKSNuW3PBODtqdeEsvbpYLbqtxJuVXoAnr6BvFjVDPtR2YGFK8aQppKcpSH14oSEcogO57MiOjnRFJIljeT8wfc/s640/IMG_8596.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<p>Behind me a huge smoke cloud was growing, and approaching at some speed. The sky turned red and the colour grew eerie. No wonder the Mayans turned to sacrifice when midday sunlight was eclipsed, this was surreal.</p><p><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 400px;"><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-01-06-Tasman-Peninsula-fires-Tasman-Coastal-Trail.htm" width="400" height="400" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><br />
<div class="kml_table"><p>View map in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-01-06-Tasman-Peninsula-fires-Tasman-Coastal-Trail.htm">full screen format</a></p><p><h2 class="kml_download">Download GPS file of Tasman Coastal Trail</h2><ul><li><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-01-06-Tasman-Coastal-Trail-Tasman-Peninsula-download.gpx">GPX file</a> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</li>
<li><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2013/2013-01-06-Tasman-Coastal-Trail-Tasman-Peninsula-download.kml">KML file</a> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></li>
</ul><p style="display:inline;">View a <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2008/12/cape-pillar-track.html">2008 blog post about the southern end of the Tasman Coastal Trail</a>, from nearby Fortescue Bay out to Cape Huay and Cape Pillar.</p></div></div>Just as I was contemplating the leap off the coastal cliffs to the treacherous ocean below, so close and enormous did the fire now seem, I found some mobile phone reception. Lap it up Jeremy, the mobile network was soon to be lost in the fires. I established that the fire was some 30km away, and I was merely the victim of the smoke. Surely I could camp here still. I wasn't too far from a town. But the decision didn't rest easy with me. I could barely sit down. No, this was stupid. If the smoke was here, the fire, even 30km away, was on its way. Just before packing up my unslept-in tent, I checked the updates on the internet again. Oh shit. Things had gotten decidedly worse. The fire had leapt two bays, and was now the other side of the ridge just three or four kilometres away. Not only had I now received an emergency evacuation sms, but the nearby Doo Town was to be "impacted by fire within 10 minutes".</p><p>I now proceeded to set a new time record in packing my pack, and another in the fastest exit off a trail ever. It was hot, and the smoke had me scavenging around in my first aid kit for my ventolin puffer. An hour later I made it into the relative safety of Doo Town. Mothers were hurriedly filling their cars with possessions and children, whilst husbands cracked another beer, turned on the hose and peered grimly into the distance.</p><p>A police car pulled me up beside me, gave me a good dose "what the fuck are you doing", well please, travelers on foot get stuck in disasters too. I explained my plan was to get to the boat ramp and ocean, it seemed infinitely safer than the campsite in the forest I was at, and did they have a better plan for me. Yes they did, get to the fire refuge at Nubeena. Not being a local, I didn't know where that was, but sure it wasn't within walking distance, the boat ramp I proceeded to, keen on picking up a lift from a local to the fire refuge.</p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830994728218442594"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxEL0fHC0MgfVwTyHkQsxqzwzagp7zKoIFF9qeHC1oGmK2rJO8YQVic-Co4BcY9OjCeKjczPvRnuqyBCwh11JVl18RlPPls2XSue4iBkE509FlxjUVbLbJq-b8i-5zdK-mOqTQgDjrHkL/s288/IMG_1280.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<p>The locals thought little of the police evacuation idea, preferring to watch their houses burn from the comfort and relative safety of the boat ramp, the ocean and their waiting boats. Within minutes I had made friends and found myself a cold beer - a Cascade no less, none of that VB or XXXX canned shit down here - and a sausage fresh off the bbq, and settled down to watch the unfolding scene.</p><p>The witching hour of bushfires almost over, as the 3 to 6pm time is when bushfires go feral, as this one had, things calmed down a bit. Ash was falling from the sky, and I pondered whether I should find a young virgin to have sex with immediately, as things seemed to be shaping up much like a certain town once known as Pompei. I could see up the hill that the police were going from door-to-door evacuating people.</p><p><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 400px;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108315850853707608297%2Falbumid%2F5830989711279218801%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />
</div>As the sun set, gorgeously of course because of all the smoke and ash in the air, the locals grew weary of this "emergency" thing. The fire had progressed no further, it hadn't made the ridge yet, god knows how it wasn't over it yet. Distressed by the idea of sleeping in their boats, on the beach or in the cars, the townsfolk simply gave up and returned home. There was no power on at home anyway, goodness knows why a bed in a stinking hot house seemed attractive over the beach. Sleeping on the beach, much by myself, wasn't too easy. At midnight I could see the flames on the ridge across the bay, the nearer ridge wasn't yet showing the same red glow but it seemed likely it soon would be. I could see the police going around from house-to-house again (de-ja-vu?), evacuating people again. Although I knew the tide times (how?), at 3am the beach sleeping decision showed itself to be a remarkably short sighted option. Scrambling, such was the incoming tide, back to the carpark, I found it now full of people sleeping in cars. Aah such comfort. Fellow people, we would make it through this.</p><p>Dawn broke at 5am, and predictably, the townsfolk were again weary of this evacuation, and they trotted back to their homes. I was almost all alone again on the jetty, the fire didn't seem to have progressed, the wind had changed direction and the sky above was now clear and sunny.</p><p>Bored by myself on the empty jetty, I trundled down the beach to Eaglehawk Neck. The nearby mobile phone tower had obviously now succumbed to the fire, and the police weren't visiting anymore with new information. The road was blockaded at Eaglehawk Neck, and it was the official evacuation place over Doo Town.</p><p>So now I spent my day sat in the shade of a pleasant tree on green grass, watching with much bemusement as car after car drove up to the roadblock trying to get down the road off the peninsula. I met and chatted to a few locals who had lost their properties. There was no electricity, running water (what's with all the pumped water), no working fixed phones and a pretty dodgy stand on one-leg dance to do to get a somewhat sometimes bar of mobile service, if one could find the single sweet spot down beside the lake that got the magical if not damn illusive phone reception. But I was well placed, the police were on hand with lots of misinformation. Every once in a while they would tell some more which would be chinese whispered into the waiting crowd. Often when one finds oneself in an unfolding disaster reliable news information can be quite hard to get, as was the case here. What we later did read in official news didn’t necessarily matched up with what we had seen first-hand. By Tuesday afternoon the Tasmanian government acknowledged that their biggest learning so far related to the single biggest frustration of people being rescued from the peninsula - a lack of information (or indeed, any information). Hard to imagine, but reliance on a working telecommunications system might be shortsighted (even if it kept working, how would you charge your phone after a 72 hour power failure?). Maybe we all need to go back to using AM radios, that is what one of the main parts of the ABC's (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) charter - to reliably broadcast information throughout Australia in emergencies.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989717087200082"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0ohu5vT4dKg/UOvWQPfwI1I/AAAAAAAAMTs/jDdCugm10LQ/s640/IMG_1285.jpg" style="width:400px; float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>We settled down to another smoky night, to the sound of the occasional piece of heavy machinery making a dash from one fire front to another. </p><p>The following morning it was evident that the attitude amongst the gathered people, few that they were, was turning a corner. Angry was the name. The lack of information from the police wasn't helping, and with no more phone service the rumours were doing their work. It seemed people would soon be exchanging blows as they rated other people's creative news interpretations. </p><p>It was increasingly evident that the road off the peninsula would not re-open for another couple of days, so I hitched a ride further down the peninsula with Mathew and Kate, and Mathew's two kids. They had spent an ugly night trying to sleep in their van without any blankets, whilst I'd spent the night sleeping on my blow-up hiking mattress with my sleeping bag in the ash rain. We drove over to Nubeena, the official safe place fire refuge. There were 2,000 people there, and sure to be a good supply of food, and possibly even power and phone service. </p><p>Arriving just in time for a community briefing, it was clear things had got pretty grim up there in the hills on the road above Eaglehawk Neck. News here flowed much more freely, and with much more of an official and credible tone. Crews were doing a sweep from property to property, evidently looking for what no-one wanted to find. The road back was clear, well clearish, but it was slow going. The main issue with the road now was twofold, one they were hastily re-erecting power poles so as to restore power to the peninsula. Secondly, and we had got a sense of this back at Eaglehawk Neck that morning, things had turned, it was now a crime scene up there. They didn't want people poking around unnecessarily, messing with things and risking finding that awful find. </p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/TasmanCoastalTrailAndEscapeFromBushfires#5830989833303383586"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RMClawBkU1Y/UOvWXAb2XiI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/AyMeQGcepIE/s640/IMG_1291.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<p>Freshened with some fresh food, a quick charge of the mobile phone, mobile reception and a quick trip to the local powerless chemist for an emergency supply of medication, my stay in Nubeena turned out to be quite brief. It seems I really did luck it up by hitching a ride with these guys. Mathew set about contacting a friend of an uncle's friend he once worked with, or some such tenuous relationship, with a fisherman with a do-anything go-anywhere barge who worked locally. It seemed an incredible and somewhat unlikely plan. </p><p>But he wasn't the only one working on him, a close friend of this fisherman's wife was also making contact. A plan had been hatched. I suspect the close friend of the wife was the clincher in this deal. With Mathew's phone flat again (there was lots of competition at the charging station), the close friend started the exploration of the 2,000 people in search of a family she had never met: an average height guy, kinda skinny, with some awesome tatts, and a wife, of average height and brown hair, two kids and a white van kinda thing. Shouldn't be too hard hey? They entered the main compound, and there beside the gate on the street we were, having selected a spot beneath some trees that looked set to provide reliable shade all day long. "Are you Mathew and Kate?" I don't think she could believe her luck at finding them so easily. The fishing mate had left Hobart already with the fishing barge and would be arriving in two hours. </p><p>We went down the local wharf, where the local guy who had generously taken it upon himself to assume control of the jetty informed us that calm as the sea looked, the kids were at great risk of being swept off the jetty by a freak wave. Such was this quiet bay. </p><p>A larger ferry was coming in with more food supplies, and the jetty man was adamant there was no way our barge was getting to get in its way. Fair call, we couldn't dispute that. Having established we were there for a reason, unlikely as it seemed, we took to joining the parcel line helping unload a few fishing boats with valuable supplies of water and baby goods, and then loading them into waiting utes. </p><p>With fresh news of the barge's imminent arrival, the jetty man cleared a small spot beside the wharf. As the barge made its way in, one thing was clear, it was much bigger than any other boat here, and it wasn't going to fit into that little gap. Size counts on the sea, and the other skippers soon moved their boats out of harm’s way. Thankfully there wasn't much being unloaded by now, so that settled our consciences a little. </p><p>The grumpy jetty man appeared to be impressed by the barge and its skipper's plan, and cheered up lending a hand getting the three cars on board, which was no mean feat in itself. </p><p>A gathering crowd, hearing rumours of an incoming goods ferry that might "take a couple of people" back to Hobart, watched with what could only have been great mirth as the fishing barge docked, and set about loading three vehicles using a crane and precarious system of straddling the cars across the jetty and barge. </p><p>We watched on as Mathew did what can only be described as the most impressive parallel parking attempt in history, as he inched his van backwards and forwards in a thirty-point shuffle between the barge superstructure and the perilous edge of the barge. </p><p>A handful of santa sacks from the hospital appeared on the wharf, and it only seemed right to grab them for the journey back to Hobart. Assured they contained "no sharps, I think, some sheets with bodily fluid but no shit and stuff", um, interesting understanding of the phrase "bodily fluid", we lightly manhandled the leaking bags onto the barge as well. And we were off, incredible as it seemed, and possibly just as incredible to the gathering crowd. </p><p>If you had told me Sunday morning that I would be off the isolated peninsula that very day, I would never have believed you. I truly thought I would be stuck to at least mid-week, long overstaying my holiday and missing work. </p><p>Two hours later we were back on the mainland. I can’t think what the fuel for the barge would have cost. Somehow a slab of beer seemed somewhat inadequate as a thank you gift. Mathew and Kate had given me a pretty awesome ride hey, they even dropped me off at the caravan park near the airport. I had to pick up my bag I had held at the hostel I was going to stay at in the city, I had missed my booking of course and they were full up. Later, at the caravan park, the hostel called me enquiring as to when, and if, I would be turning up tonight. They'd mixed up my booking. Oh well, in the morning the airport was just a stroll away. With the promo code #bushfire I had a free flight home with Qantas - top work! </p><p>Conditions have worsened in the days since, with the safe areas and remaining people at Doo Town and Eaglehawk Neck told to evacuate to Nubeena, as the fires flared up in strong winds and further roads were closed. </p><p>A part of me missed the opportunity of the bus trip off the peninsula. If I had gone that way I would have seen some of the destruction first hand, but that's the macabre guilty sticky-beak side of me hey. </p><p>A big thanks for all those of you who followed the unfolding drama on Facebook. I couldn't always, or often, see what you were saying, such was the limited reception, but it was encouraging so many people were concerned about my safety. Just another hiking adventure really. Floods, bushfires, helicopter rescues, transformed deserts, it all happens. </p><p>Even after swapping some details, I couldn't find Kate on Facebook. If anyone knows a Tasmanian woman of average height with brown hair, and a partner of average height, kinda skinny and with some awesome tatts, put me in touch. Ha ha. Appalling description. If anyone knows a woman with a good sense of humour, and a friendly partner running a carpet cleaning business with the occasional tatt, both into Kung Fu, who live in Snug south of Hobart, I think we might have them. I've got more details, but it starts to sound weird to leave it here.</p><p>View photo album in <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5830989711279218801">Google Plus</a> (14 photos).</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com15Tasman National Park, Eaglehawk Neck TAS 7179, Australia-43.176861 147.9372158-43.548159500000004 147.2917688 -42.8055625 148.58266279999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-30485716830346940922012-12-31T18:20:00.002+10:302020-05-27T09:32:22.733+09:30Western Arthurs, South West Tasmania<div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 300px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Western Arthurs, Tasmania</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" style="background: #e0e0e0;">From Port Davey Track carpark to Junction Creek, Alpha Morraine, Western Arthurs and Kappa Morraine.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Duration</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">6 days</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Location</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">South West Tasmania</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">National Park</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><a href="https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3801" title="South West National Park, Tasmania">South West National Park</a> (note there is no mention of Western Arthurs on their website)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Port Davey trailhead carpark, just south of Scotts Peak Dam</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 1</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Carpark to Junction Creek (3h). Recommended time: 2-3 hours<br />
<br />
Junction Creek to Lake Cygnus (4h30m, total 8h15m). Recommended time: 3h30m-5h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 2</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Lake Cygnus to Lake Oberon (4hrs). Recommended time: 2-3 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 3</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Lake Oberon to High Moor (8h). Recommended time: 5-7 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 4</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">High Moor to Haven Lake (8h20m). Recommended time: 4-6 hours</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 5</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Haven Lake to Two Mile Creek, via Kappa Morraine and McKays Track (2h45m to Kappa Morraine junction. Recommended time 1h30m-2h30m. Total time 8h30m)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 6</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Two Mile Creek to Carpark trailhead, via Junction Creek (4h)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="intro_para" style="padding-bottom: 25px;">If before I had set out on a trek along the Western Arthurs, someone had asked me a simple question, "Do you like rock climbing?", I might have thought more about tackling this difficult hike. The answer, you see, to that question, would be "no".</div><br />
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UoFTY3yvNuU/UOE6nBNR7AI/AAAAAAAAMPI/ALd_mfP4lQE/s288/IMG_8429.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0;" /></a>I don't mind rock climbing, but I certainly don't love it (or even like it?). I didn't hate the hike - it was exhilarating - more a case that I didn't realise just <i>how much</i> rock climbing there was. Of course I knew there were difficult sections involving scrambling, and possibly ropes, I had read enough guidebooks, articles and blogs to know that, but I underestimated just how much rock climbing there was. A solid two days of the six contained this, and a lot of it.</p><p>During the most dreadful weather, a bit of me wanted to get off that mountain range, and quickly. No wait, I lie, all of me wanted to get off asap, we were in the most exposed campsite - at High Moor, and it was a difficult day's hike either backward or forward to reach an exit off the range. By dreadful weather I mean some kinda squall. We had 3G service earlier that day and had checked the weather forecast: light winds and some showers. That forecast was soon questioned though when we saw a solid block of cloud approaching at speed in the valley well beneath us, indeed, we could see over the top of the cloud formation. It looked pretty solid, and visibility soon dropped as the cloud ramped up over the range enveloping it. Soon the rains began, turning to fierce horizontal rain. Not pleasant for hiking in, but even less pleasant for camping in. It was a true test for each of our hiking tents, and one I'm afraid neither stood up too well in. Fierce horizontal rain has a way of working its way into a tent, these single pole tents just didn't have enough defences.</p><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N9dIzz8cijQ/UOE6n-41uzI/AAAAAAAAMPQ/XCnaEmGeITg/s640/IMG_8433.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; width: 695px;" /></a><br />
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<p>Regardless, we were safe: warm and dry. The leaks in each tent could be contained. When we reached camp we hurriedly set up our tents and crawled in, drenched to the bone. In lulls in the wind we shouted out to each other, "Tim, are you in dry clothes?", "Tim, are you warm?", "Tim, is your tent holding up?". Next time I tackle a hike in South West Tasmania it will be in better tent: something with three poles, a fly that sits lower to the ground (that gap was the source of the water leaks), and probably a shared tent, something like 2.5-3.5kg I suspect (not the 1.5kg tents we each had).</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SV_CdQORzmU/UOE69fFLpcI/AAAAAAAAMP4/RxpVAzUiZWY/s288/IMG_8452.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>The hiking was difficult, the first day showed us that. Accustomed to being fast hikers, we were alarmed to do the first section at the upper limit of the recommeded time. Two to three hours was the recommended time, we did it in three hours. This pattern continued - even alarmingly, got worse - we completed some days in longer than the recommended maximum time - 8.5 hours for one 4 to 6 hour section. Others we met hiking were doing similar times. I had read of others doing similar times too, but in all those cases I figured they were fat (oh really), not so fit, or weighed down by two litre bottles of coke.</p><p>The rock climbing was a real challenge. Scaling wet rock walls, climbing down rocky chutes. Tree roots were a real life saver. They're not the wisest thing to stake your safety and weight on, they can easily break or pull out, any read of a guidebook for the South West will warn you of that. But they were well used, and without them the climbs up and down would be impossible. Of course it paid to be extra careful not to step onto them, a foothold sure, but they could be slippery. I couple of times I resorted to getting my rope out, tying my pack to it, and dropping it down beneath me. It scratched my pack and its contents up a lot, but it was well worth it. Without my pack on, I had no trouble with the rock climbing. Carrying a 19kg pack on your back does somewhat dent your rock climbing confidence!</p><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0WUM6y4I_c/UOE7D8ZG41I/AAAAAAAAMQQ/p82nu2XRMNY/s640/IMG_8467-69_Panorama.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; width: 695px;" /></a><br />
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<p>Despite it being a challenge, Tim and I are level-headed chaps, so it was all good. Tim lead on the climbing, but I took heart from a memory of the two of us working on a rooftop of the shed at Biggs Flat. We'd climbed atop, and I remember turning around to see him sitting straddling the ridge, with me wandering up and down on foot. Give me a structure I understand, I'm happy wandering around at height. Not so for Tim, but give him a cliff or a tree, no worries. Each day's hike was rewarding, I'm just not sure I'm ready just yet to again tackle the two days between Lake Oberon and High Moor, and the Beggary Bumps between High Moor and Haven Lake.</p><p>The Beggary Bumps had us scared. The day before, from Lake Oberon to High Moor, was the first of the very difficult days, with lots of rock climbing. It barely rated a mention in the guidebooks in comparison to the ominous Beggary Bumps, how impossibly hard was that going to make the following day on the Bumps?!? Alas, our fearful impression put us in good stead for the Bumps, it was no more difficult than that Lake Oberon to High Moor section, but just as rewarding.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LMfacfjCMs0/UOE7W_U81qI/AAAAAAAAMRg/uR-5Edf32wc/s288/IMG_8515-Tim.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>We sometimes got a little lost. John Chapman's guidebook, <a href="https://www.john.chapman.name/pub-sw.html">South West Tasmania</a>, easily had the best track notes. But the guidebook, although in it's fifth edition, is still well out of date. It frequently refers to track conditions that seem very different to what we saw. We were surprised by how much track work has been done by the Parks & Wildlife Service, especially outside the Lake Oberon to Haven Lake section. In areas across the moors there is either boardwalk or laid stones, avoiding what would have once been a very muddy track. Each campsite had timber tent platforms, and fly-in fly-out toilet capsules. Near Haven Lake we noticed that the rock had been cut away to form perfect footholds, making scrambling dead easy. Marker arrows made other areas easy to follow. John Chapman's guidebook makes no mention of these, it warns of hard to follow routes where there is now a clear track, and multiple false leads where there are none, just a clear track. There are still false leads, we sometimes went down routes which looked well trodden, to find they went no-where at the bottom, or top, and so we had to return back to the main track. My advice would be to always examine the track, to assess how walked on it was. If too few feet seemed to have passed along it, almost certainly it is a false lead and not the actual track - so return right then and find the actual track, it's often quite obvious where you went wrong as you backtrack.</p><p>Apart from one afternoon, night and short morning of mental weather, we had excellent weather. Some cloudy, some sunny, always changing, as the weather on mountain tops is wont to do.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/WesternArthursSouthWestTasmania"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z8k1EQ5GxtgK5IGiiO_KSFKr1ssN4mIM7ehfkjnoo6kfA_ozwFCzNJR1RdpB6vdB3JbUT8KFjXFUdNf-D0tCYvWt3RQA4EqUrqeU2pa-5GA1yOjWKSzy7BDFmuwsT66mUh2HkOh5wuHE/s288/IMG_8567-Tim.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>Our bodies were hurting, the weather and our tents spooked us, so we elected to get off the Western Arthurs range at Kappa Morraine. It would save us one further day on the range, and two further days of hiking. My arms were pretty sore on this hike, and I suffered numerous supersized blue and black bruises from falls.</p><p>We ate well, this being the first trip I had dehydrated all the meals for. We had plenty of Indian (Saag Lamb is a real winner), and spaghetti bolognase and chilli con carne. For lunch pesto was delicious spread on crackers. Gotta get more into this dehydrating thing, sweet meals, easy as, and quick to cook on the trail.</p><p>Would I do the hike again? At the time, during those two difficult days between Lake Oberon and Haven Lake, I definitely thought not. This was easily the hardest hike I had ever done. I've done remote, and long, and with water challenges, difficult to navigate, but never this degree of rock climbing. But having said that, and that I don't really enjoy rock climbing, each day was still rewarding, I didn't need to wait to the end of the hike to appreciate that. I'd like to explore some more of the Western Arthurs, and indeed the South West National Park, perhaps a <a href="https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1513">Southern Ranges Traverse</a>, an almost circuit via Lune River, Mt La Perouse, Hidden Waterfall, New River, Precipitous Bluff, the South Coast Track and Cockle Creek.</p><p>View photo album in <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5828003255372670705">Google Plus</a> (47 photos).</p><br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108315850853707608297%2Falbumid%2F5828003255372670705%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCOG3qfj_rLa9Dw%26hl%3Den_US" height="400" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600"></embed><br />
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="no" height="525" scrolling="no" src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/2012-12-27-Western-Arthurs-Alpha-Morraine-to-Kappa-Morraine-via-Lake-Cygnus-and-Lake-Oberon-and-High-Moor-and-Haven-Lake.htm" width="700"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><br />
<table class="kml_table"><tbody>
<tr> <td><br />
View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/2012-12-27-Western-Arthurs-Alpha-Morraine-to-Kappa-Morraine-via-Lake-Cygnus-and-Lake-Oberon-and-High-Moor-and-Haven-Lake.htm">full screen format</a><br />
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<h2 class="kml_download">Download GPS files</h2><div class="kml_explain">Hike along the Western Arthurs from Alpha Morraine to Kappa Morraine.</div><div class="kml_explain">Available as GPX files (for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit) and KML files (for viewing in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a>).</div><ul class="kml_explain"><li>Carpark trailhead to Junction Creek: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=0-Carpark-trailhead-to-Junction-Creek-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file from Carpark trailhead to Junction Creek">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=0-Carpark-trailhead-to-Junction-Creek-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file from Carpark trailhead to Junction Creek">KML</a></li>
<li>Junction Creek to Lake Cygnus, via Alpha Morraine: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=1-Junction-Creek-to-Lake-Cygnus-via-Alpha-Morraine-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file from Junction Creek to Lake Cygnus, via Alpha Morraine">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=1-Junction-Creek-to-Lake-Cygnus-via-Alpha-Morraine-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file from Junction Creek to Lake Cygnus, via Alpha Morraine">KML</a></li>
<li>Lake Cygnus to Lake Oberon: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=2-Lake-Cygnus-to-Lake-Oberon-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file for Lake Cygnus to Lake Oberon">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=2-Lake-Cygnus-to-Lake-Oberon-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file for Lake Cygnus to Lake Oberon">KML</a></li>
<li>Lake Oberon to High Moor: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=3-Lake-Oberon-to-High-Moor-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file for Lake Oberon to High Moor">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=3-Lake-Oberon-to-High-Moor-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file for Lake Oberon to High Moor">KML</a></li>
<li>High Moor to Haven Lake: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=4-High-Moor-to-Haven-Lake-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file for High Moor to Haven Lake">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=4-High-Moor-to-Haven-Lake-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file for High Moor to Haven Lake">KML</a></li>
<li>Haven Lake to Kappa Morraine Junction: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=5-Haven-Lake-to-Kappa-Morraine-Junction-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file for Haven Lake to Kappa Morraine Junction">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=5-Haven-Lake-to-Kappa-Morraine-Junction-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file for Haven Lake to Kappa Morraine Junction">KML</a></li>
<li>Kappa Morraine Junction to carpark, via McKays Track and Junction Creek: <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?gpx=6-Kappa-Morraine-Junction-to-carpark-via-McKays-Track-and-Junction-Creek-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.gpx" title="GPX file for Kappa Morraine Junction to carpark, via McKays Track and Junction Creek">GPX</a> | <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/western-arthurs-tasmania/download/download.php?kml=6-Kappa-Morraine-Junction-to-carpark-via-McKays-Track-and-Junction-Creek-WESTERN-ARTHURS-download.kml" title="KML file for Kappa Morraine Junction to carpark, via McKays Track and Junction Creek">KML</a></li>
</ul></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com5Western Arthurs, Southwest National Park, Tasmania 7001, Australia-43.1971565 146.2378152-44.678343999999996 143.6560282 -41.715969 148.8196022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-92123497711451475182012-09-17T22:08:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:25.156+09:30Black Magic on Wilpena Pound's Peaks<div class="intro_para" style="float:left; padding-bottom:25px;">A bushfire back in January cleared the way for us to tackle some of Wilpena Pound's peaks - this time Mt Karawarra, Point Bonney and Tumburru Peak. Previously the vegetation was so dense it was a difficult 1km/h, but now that fire had blackened the landscape we could get in.</div><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Wilpena Pound peaks</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Duration</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">3 days</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Start/end</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Wilpena Pound Resort/General Store</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Friday</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Wilpena to Hills Homestead for water, on to base (1h45m). Base to Mt Karawarra (1109m) and return 4 hours</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Saturday</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Base camp to Point Bonney (1133m) 2 hrs, along ridge to Tumburru Peak 1hr, return to base camp via deep gorge 4 hrs</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">National Park</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Flinders Ranges National Park</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;" colspan="2"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.pdf" title="Our rogaine route for Wirrabara Forest"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.jpg" style="width:280px;height:408px;"></a></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><p style="clear:left;">We weren't certain how much had been burnt, despite the <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/wilpena_pound_fire_situation_map.pdf">fire maps</a> we had, or how clear the vegetation now was. Numerous previous trips had shown that the vegetation on the Pound walls, including on this southern side, meant walking was slowed to 1km/h and was tough going.</p><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/BlackMagicWilpenaPeaks?feat=flashalbum#5789116410437959602"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CW9ZOYKCYR8/UFcStAeJ_7I/AAAAAAAAMGM/nwxl58x5SlY/s400/IMG_8257.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width:380px;" /></a><br />
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From the pound floor it took 90 minutes to reach the summmit of Mt Karawarra, despite the burnt vegetation not being as extensive as the <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/wilpena_pound_fire_situation_map.pdf">fire map</a> detailed. It wasn't until the following day, when looking at Mt Karawarra from Point Bonney, did we really appreciate just how steep Mt Karawarra really was.<br />
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We base camped on the pound floor, enjoying each other's company each night. We shared stories around our small fire, and exchanged gear talk (a favourite of hiker's everywhere). Tim mixed and baked a carrot cake on his wood burning <a href="https://www.emberlit.com/">emberlit</a>, promising a self-saucing chocolate cake next time! We shared wine, crackers and blue cheese. Inadvertently we later shared the blue cheese with an inquisitive wallaby or goat, but they showed no interest in our rocket and basil dip.<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/BlackMagicWilpenaPeaks?feat=flashalbum#5789117445961040210"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7P46TnnjPiM/UFcTpSGGQVI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/KeC8Q4CunAU/s400/P1040043.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width:380px; float:left; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0;" /></a><br />
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On the second day we climbed up Point Bonney, skipping past Iluka Hill, saving it for another day. Simon and Vicki had previously climbed it, it was a relatively easy <a href="https://www.peakclimbs.com/peak/Illuka-Peak/91/view#climb_id_123">climb from the outside</a>. It's true, I had been up it twice before, and failed in both attempts due to time constraints, but this time it was better left for later. At the summit of Point Bonney we found the logbook, with just 32 entries over 20 years. One entry from this year, one from 2010, one from 2008, 2006 and 2003. That dense vegetation kept people away.<br />
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The rock slab cliffs beneath the peak were enormous and dramatic, and a stark contrast to the gentler slopes inside the pound. We lunched at Tumburru Peak overlooking the cliffs.<br />
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Walking down from Tumburru Peak we descended quickly to a creek below, pushing our way through the burnt out sticks of the vegetation. It's hard to imagine getting through this vegetation at all prior to the fire. We dropped into a deep gorge we had been eyeing off for a while. It had escaped the fire, was shielded by high rock walls and filled with boulders and rock pools. Kate nearly stepped on a colourful long snake, which wasn't particularly aggressive, and later identification from parks staff confirmed it as a carpet snake.<br />
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On Sunday we walked back out from our base camp, partaking in more than one icecream on our journey home, spending an pleasant hour in the courtyard of the <a href="https://cradockhotel.com.au/">Cradock Hotel</a> for lunch.<br />
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="706" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108315850853707608297%2Falbumid%2F5789116325803593857%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJ7t1ZHtpcz_EQ%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />
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<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.htm" width="706" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.gpx">Download GPX file of the Mt Karawarra, Point Bonney and Tumburru Peak hike</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-14-Wilpena-Peaks-Point-Bonney-Mount-Karawarra-Tumburru-Peak.kml">Download KML file of the Mt Karawarra, Point Bonney and Tumburru Peak hike</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com22Flinders Ranges National Park, Heysen Trail, Blinman SA 5730, Australia-31.583800000771774 138.60832214355469-31.637901500771775 138.52935814355467 -31.529698500771772 138.6872861435547tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-67757008236558202292012-09-05T15:48:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:27.179+09:3025 hours hiking? Why not!<div class="intro_para" style="float:left; padding-bottom:25px;">A 25-hour hiking race? Why not! We'd done a 12-hour and 6-hour rogaine, so now a 25-hour challenge. Rogaining is a team sport which involves cross country navigation and strategy. This time it was up in the forest and scrub of Wirrabara and Kate joined our team, bringing along her navigation prowess.</div><div class="loc_date">Rogaine, Wirrabara Forest</div><br />
<div style="float: right; width: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;clear:both;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-01-Rogaine-SA-Spring-Shuffle-Wirrabara-copy.pdf" title="Our rogaine route for Wirrabara Forest"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-01-Rogaine-SA-Spring-Shuffle-Wirrabara-copy.jpg" style="width:300px;height:421px;"></a><br />
Our route marked with a red line (we travelled clockwise).<br />
<a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-09-01-Rogaine-SA-Spring-Shuffle-Wirrabara-copy.pdf" title="Our rogaine route for Wirrabara Forest">View larger map</a></div>While studying the map and planning our route in the hours before the rogaine, I made the comment that the scrub near the ridge line was, from memory, pretty thick. A big bushfire had burnt through much of the area in May, so we were hoping this would have cleared some of the dense ridge. It had, leaving a loose, sandy and rocky surface that was still hard to climb. Not all was clear though, through the untouched native scrub we managed about 1km/h, and gained lots of scratches for our efforts. We were pretty relieved when we finally made the ridge with its road!<br />
<br />
On our way through the scrub, we spied a girl waiting on a distant hill, apparently for the rest of her team. But not so, over the other side some ten minutes later, we found a single person – this is a team sport btw – asking whether we might have seen a girl in a blue top! We had of course, but on the other side of the hill. A wee bit silly that they got separated, we met up with them later that night and they had spent an hour and a half finding each other.<br />
<br />
We tackled the higher ridge and scrub in the daylight first, returning after dark via the lower forest with its gentle hills, open forest and easy to navigate service tracks. <br />
<br />
A couple of the controls (point markers) were over the other side of the ridge, which meant climbing back up to the ridge again afterwards. That was a bit tough! At one control, number 71, we spent some time discussing where we thought we were, and each of our interpretations of the topographic map. Down we went, but we certainly weren’t coming back up the same way, pleasantly open that it was, we skirted across the side of the ridge to another track.<br />
<br />
Seven hours into the rogaine we watched the sun set from the ridgeline, exchanging tips with teams coming the other way.<br />
<br />
In the darkness we descended off the ridge and back into the forest, armed with our head torches of various brightnesses, and the full moon. At the furthest point from the Hash House – the base of the rogaine – we sat down at a picnic table on the summit of Mt Ellen and had a moonlit picnic. From here we trundled back to the Hash House, thinking of the enormity of our plan which still required a three-hour walk back to the Hash House base when we were dead tired.<br />
<br />
At 2am we sat down for some hot food and in front of the warm fire at the Hash House in Wirrabara’s old schoolhouse.<br />
<br />
Armed with four hours sleep, and with the warm sun up, we returned to our rogaining. This time we planned a shorter route, with more options to return early - and most of all - an easy walking route. We were back at ten past 11 in the morning, with 50 minutes to spare. We weren’t keen to climb a nearby scrub hill to fill our last 50 minutes, we were all limping in one form or another.<br />
<br />
We scored 1760 points, covering 63km, and came 7th overall, and 4th in the mixed category. We spent 15 hours on Saturday, 11am to 2am (49km), and 3 hours out on Sunday morning (14km).<br />
<br />
View all results on the <a href="https://sa.rogaine.asn.au/images/Results/2012/AusChamps/24hr%20results.pdf">SA Rogaining website</a>.<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0Forest Rd, Wirrabara SA 5481, Australia-33.0807223 138.2152765-33.1073318 138.1757945 -33.0541128 138.25475849999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-14072897518640568482012-08-06T21:13:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:28.599+09:30Nakun Kungun Trail, Coorong<div class="intro_para" style="float:left; width:375px; padding-bottom:25px;">Looking. Listening. These are the catchcry words of the Nakun Kungun Trail, a 27km hiking trail through the Coorong.</div><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Nakun Kungun Trail, Coorong (sometimes spelt Nukan Kungun)</b> - a two day weekend hike with the Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Trailheads</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Salt Creek in the north, 42 Mile Crossing picnic area/campsite in the south</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Friday night campsite</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Campsites at the northern end of Loop Road, 1km from Salt Creek</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Saturday</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Campsite (near northern end of Loop Road) to free-camp near the southern end of Loop Road - 13km/5hrs</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Sunday</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Loop Road to 42 Mile Crossing picnic area, with sidetrip further out to Coorong beach (9.5km/2.5hrs + 3.2km)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">National Park</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Coorong National Park</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Nearest town</td><td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Salt Creek, consisting of petrol station</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Campsites</td><td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Official campsite near Salt Creek (toilet in picnic area) and 42 Mile Crossing (toilets in picnic area). Free camping permitted along trail.</td></tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><p style="clear:left;">Saturday morning our walk leader, Kate, spotted a Mallee Fowl, or possibly, as she conceded, “a wild chicken”. It seemed most likely to be the Mallee Fowl, endemic to this area, there were plenty of interpretive signs about them. Tellingly perhaps, no-one else saw the encounter. Kate was, as a birdwatching expert, her own downfall. On the drive home she spotted a similar creature scurrying near the roadside, and upon consulting her bird book deemed it to be hen of some sort (she did know the sort, I just don’t recall it).</p><p style="float:left; clear:left;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/NakunKungunTrailCoorong#5773522933867848818"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDE10osySr4/UB-shNfDpHI/AAAAAAAAL5I/BtZq453Tmk0/s400/IMG_8202.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width:380px;" /></a></p><p>Invitations to explore one of the many large wombat holes to find their happy inhabitants were quietly declined. No matter, eventually we came across a shy wombat, who had curiously made its burrow under some timber decking at an historic site. It would seem not many people passed this way, despite this particular area being signposted from the bitumen road.</p><p>Later we spotted an echidna, who shyly crawled under a bush and curled into a ball.</p><p>We saw many birds, including hooded red robins playing on fences, but not being on the shore, few pelicans.</p><p>So our looking and listening did pay off.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/NakunKungunTrailCoorong#5773523556210992242"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hGAJLw4B8Io/UB-tFb5OZHI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/ArIf7QDjSeY/s800/IMG_8219.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a></p><p>What we didn’t see was much of the Coorong. Although the trail follows the Coorong it does so at a quiet distance, only at its very southern end does it venture near the sand dunes or the shore line. There it also makes its passage over the water via the 42 Mile Crossing.</p><p>On Saturday, after setting up our campsite near the southern end of Loop Road, we set off bush bashing to find the illusive Coorong shore. In windy conditions we found the body of water choppy, and far too wide to attempt to cross.</p><p>On Sunday, beyond the picnic area at 42 Mile Crossing we battled the wind and brief driving rain to cross the seemingly endless dunes to reach the coast. The waves were being lashed by the wind and the strong waves were eroding the beach. It was, as this beach often is, spectacular.</p><p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108315850853707608297/NakunKungunTrailCoorong#5773523020681503874"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGV6y9eBNtQ/UB-smQ5C5II/AAAAAAAAL5Y/ZrfxATrwy3w/s400/IMG_8206.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>We were disappointed that following the trail meant we infrequently visited or caught glimpses of the Coorong and its distant sand dunes, but the looking and listening was rewarded with some great wildlife sightings. For the most part the trail passes between the main bitumen highway and the dirt Loop Road, with the Coroong water and iconic Younghusband Peninsula further west. Only infrequently did we hear or catch glimpses of the roads. The trail passes beside many shallow lakes, which are separate from the main Coorong water body. During drier times these would be dry salt pans.</p><p>The trail is reasonably well maintained, and is signposted, but isn’t well travelled, so occasionally we did loose sight of the trail. Doing so wasn’t unpleasant, the areas were often covered with fine green grass. Often when we misplaced the trail we followed the tyre prints from a recent ATV vehicle, presumably from a maintenance ranger. Without that I think we would have spent much more time wandering the scrub.</p><p>View <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5773522931378178097">photos on Google+</a>.</p><br />
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="706" height="470" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108315850853707608297%2Falbumid%2F5773522931378178097%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKKb0rbpwNS01wE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />
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<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-08-05_Nakun_Kungun_Trail_Coorong.htm" width="706" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-08-05_Nakun_Kungun_Trail_Coorong.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-08-05_Nakun_Kungun_Trail_Coorong_correct.gpx">Download GPX file of the Nakun Kungun Trail</a> (corrected)</span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-08-05_Nakun_Kungun_Trail_Coorong_correct.kml">Download KML file of the Nakun Kungun Trail</a> (corrected)</span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0Coorong National Park, Princes Hwy, Coorong SA 5264, Australia-36.172248358996789 139.65751647949219-36.223534858996793 139.57855247949217 -36.120961858996786 139.7364804794922tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-48311003584387476552012-07-17T18:06:00.005+09:302020-05-27T09:32:30.657+09:30Finishing off the Larapinta Trail<div class="intro_para" style="float:left; width:375px; padding-bottom:25px;">Two years ago I had to pull out of completing the 233km Larapinta Trail though the West MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs. I returned mid last year to finish off the eastern half, but wildfires closed the trail, so we occupied ourselves with other hikes. Now, for a third - and successful - attempt, I tackled the more challenging section of the Larapinta Trail.</div><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Larapinta Trail, Ellery Creek to Alice Springs Telegraph Station (Sections 6 to 1)</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Previous trip</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/larapinta-trail.html">Redbank Gorge to Ellery Creek</a> (Sections 12-7), 2010</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">National Park</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">West MacDonnell National Park</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Location</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">West MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Start</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Ellery Creek (Section 6/7 Trailhead)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">End</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Alice Springs Telegraph Station (Section 1 Trailhead)</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Time</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">6 days</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Distance</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">138km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 1</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Ellery Creek to Rocky Gully (Section 6), 4h20m 15.2km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 2</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Rocky Gully to Fringe Lily (Section 6/5), 7h40m 23.6km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 3</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Fringe Lily to Brinkley Bluff (Section 5/4), 8h5m 17.0km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 4</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Brinkley Bluff to Jay Creek (Section 3/2), 9h15m 23.4km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Day 5</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Jay Creek to Simpsons Gap (just west of) (Section 2), 6h15m 27km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Day 6</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Simpsons Gap to Alice Springs Telegraph Station (Section 1) to nearby caravan pak, 6h15m 27.2km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<p style="clear:left;">When you've done half a trail, you think you've got a good feel for it. I'm not sure I had with this one, it held more surprises than I imagined. My week was filled with tough climbs, glorious views, cool breezes on hot days, pregnant rain drops on hot climbs, good company at campsites, plenty of other hikers on the trail, and, as with any Central Australia walk, rocks, and plenty of them.</p><p>This time, I'm telling most of my story through photos, and their captions.</p><p>View <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5766041661359878833">photos on Google+</a>.</p><br />
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<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-07-15-Larapinta-Trail-Ellery-Creek-to-Alice-Springs.htm" width="706" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-07-15-Larapinta-Trail-Ellery-Creek-to-Alice-Springs.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-07-15-Larapinta-Trail-complete.gpx">Download GPX file of entire Larapinta Trail</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-07-15-Larapinta-Trail-complete.kmz">Download KML file of entire Larapinta Trail</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com4West Macdonnell National Park, Burt Plain NT 0872, Australia-23.6307575 132.9027576-24.096278 132.2710436 -23.165237 133.5344716tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-20448726216138856272012-07-09T19:58:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:32.898+09:30Mt Zeil - NT's highest peak (The State 8)<div class="intro_para" style="float:left; width:385px; padding-bottom:25px;">Last year we'd tried to climb Mt Zeil, but with the summit cairn in sight, had to give up. We had hiked in from Redbank Gorge on a three day hike. This time we had permission from the NT Parks and the local pastoral station.</div><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" valign="top" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mt Zeil</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">State 8</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Northern Territory's highest peak</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Location</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">West MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Access</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Glen Helen Station and West MacDonnell National Park</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><b>PERMISSION REQUIRED</b></td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Contact both:<br />
<ol style="padding:0 0 5px 0;"><li><nobr>Gary Weir</nobr>,<br />
<br />
<br />
Deputy Chief Ranger, West MacDonnell National Park<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:Gary.Weir@nt.gov.au">Gary.Weir@nt.gov.au</a><br />
<br />
<nobr>(08) 8951 8273</nobr><br />
<br />
<nobr>0405 603 152</nobr><br />
<br />
<nobr>Fax (08) 8951 8290</nobr></li>
<li><nobr>Ian Morton</nobr>,<br />
<br />
<br />
Glen Helen Station - pastoral property (not to be confused with Glen Helen Resort)<br />
<br />
<nobr>(08) 08 8956 8548</nobr><br />
<br />
<nobr>or (08) 8952 3063</nobr></li>
</ol></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Maps</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><ol style="padding:0 0 5px 0;"><li>1:50 000 topographic Special map - contact Rangers at West MacDonnell National Park to obtain.</li>
<li>1:250 000 SF53-13 Hermannsburg <b>(this map is not sufficient alone, use in combination with 1:50 000 map available from rangers)</b></li>
</ol></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Time</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">4 hours up</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Route</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Follow long western spur</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start elevation</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #e0e0e0;">650m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Peak elevation</td> <td align="left" valign="top" style="background: #b3b2b2;">1531m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<p style="clear:left;">We drove the three hours in from Alice Springs, along the Tanami Track, Gary Junction Road (Papunya Road), then on station tracks through Glen Helen Station to the base of the western spur of Mt Zeil.</p><p>With the pre-dawn moon, we hiked across the plains to the base of the spur. As day broke, we climbed up to the plateau some 380 above the plains (at 1070m). There are various routes to choose from to access the grassy plateau. From here we tried following the official route provided by Parks NT, which is to skirt around the ridge peaks. We found this to be tricky: it was harder to navigate, psychologically harder, harder to walk on a constant side incline, and having to dodge obstacles such as patches of rocks or denser vegetation. Soon, we instead followed the ridge, it was much easier. It was easier to navigate, and the ridgeline was clearer of rocks and vegetation.</p><p>Reaching the summit in four hours, and whilst filling in the logbook, updated my Facebook status - yes, there was Telstra NextG coverage.</p><p>This summitting <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/hiking-to-mount-zeil-from-redbank-gorge.html">was my second attempt</a>, I had tried last year to come in from Redbank Gorge as a three day trip, but did not quite reach the summit.</p><p>This was part of Ricky, Paul and my State 8 challenge - to hike the highest summit in each of Australia's eight states and territories. For all of us, this was Number Six, although we differ in which ones remain.</p><p>Thanks to my traveling companions, Ricky and Paul, and some of their photos are included below.</p><p>View <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5766046582091954145?authkey=CKCbg_Cl7PzAqAE&banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/108315850853707608297/albums/5766046582091954145">photos on Google+</a>.</p><br />
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<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2020-07-09-Mt-Zeil-State-8.htm" width="706" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2020-07-09-Mt-Zeil-State-8.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><b>PERMISSION IS REQUIRED</b>, and highly recommended, to access and climb this peak. Detailed maps and advice will also be provided when permission is granted.</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2020-07-09-Mt-Zeil-State-8.gpx">Download GPX file of Mt Zeil climb</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2020-07-09-Mt-Zeil-State-8.kml">Download KML file of Mt Zeil climb</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span><br />
</td></tr>
</table><br />
<div class="nobrtable"><table><tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br />
<br />
</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="2"><b>Mt Zeil</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="2"><b>Monday</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="2"><b>9/7/2012</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Up</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Down</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Distance</td> <td align="center">10.3km</td> <td align="center">10.1km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Start Time</td> <td align="center">6.08am</td> <td align="center">11.52am</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">End Time</td> <td align="center">11.04am</td> <td align="center">3.14pm</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td> <td align="center">3h17m</td> <td align="center">2h52m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" nowrap>Total Time</td> <td align="center">4h47m</td> <td align="center">3h22m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Average</td> <td align="center">3.1km/h</td> <td align="center">3.5km/h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Overall Average</td> <td align="center">2.1m/h</td> <td align="center">3.0km/h</td> </tr>
</table></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com4Mt Zeil, West Macdonnell National Park, Mount Zeil NT 0872, Australia-23.4008333 132.3958333-23.6339983 132.0799763 -23.1676683 132.7116903tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-56991877107104974802012-06-11T22:42:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:35.223+09:30Dibber Dobber Dabber<div class="intro_para">Well no-one dibber dobbed, but we did finish off our three day trek hiking up Mt Dib and Mt Dab, and um, Dob, and a little of Deb. Leaving our campsite, we started our summit attempt on Mt Dab, until it became clear it was Deb, or at least not Dib or Dab. Progressing across the saddle to Mt Dab, then onto Mt Dib, which was most certainly Mt Dab... oops. Every time we reached a summmit we saw another, readjusting our minds to exactly which ones were <nobr>Mt Dib and Mt Dab</nobr>.</div><br />
<p><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Aroona Valley to Blinman Pools, return via Wild Dog Creek</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Aroona Valley Campsite</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">End</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Aroona Valley Campsite</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">First Night</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">The Cascades</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Second Night</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Pigeon Bore</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Time</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">3 days</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Distance</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">57km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div>It wasn't the only navigational challenge we experienced, but our uncertainty added minimal distance to our three day trek. Navigation across the landscape is an element that makes a trek so good, opening up the possibilities of where we could go. Camping at The Cascades, a cross-country hike to Blinman Pools, hiking through the Wild Dog Creek canyon and summiting Mt Dib and Dab were the highlights of the weekend.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/ABWAroonaValleyToBlinmanPools?feat=flashalbum#5752756634554593586"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E5SlH0LfnYE/T9XlrgHl8TI/AAAAAAAALp8/VjAGVFdozag/s800/IMG_7859.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/ABWAroonaValleyToBlinmanPools?feat=flashalbum#5752756356609411218"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIpXxk6qbxfzgZwnhSe1OdcApTk7aHTlDoQJhZ9rnEeA-RRk9afhHHsp7faK7MCj0oOvcCn-AIkmMXIIueFqQcghSTLC6ZHSaklbwKqJKK-qqKC-u2FKt74IfQT1yID6ocGtg47vgeSJO/s288/IMG_7800.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>When we reached the Cascades mid-afternoon on Saturday, it was clear, even without a vote, that no-one was keen to continue on that afternoon to Blinman Pools. The Cascades were beautiful, it was clear, flowing water, the first water we had seen in a creek. Even more amazing, just a few hundred metres upstream, the creek was dry. The source was a spring - the water was warm, and there was plenty of it. We enjoyed our early camp with a camp fire and salmon and soft cheese crackers. Following the previous night's late arrival by bus, and our day's 20km hike, we retired early, to our already icy tents.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/ABWAroonaValleyToBlinmanPools?feat=flashalbum#5752756461180230514"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S4B01thmhLw/T9XlhaP7G3I/AAAAAAAALow/j5BFhBWsmJY/s288/IMG_7818.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Sunday morning was cold, very cold, minus three. In the cold we set off with our daypacks, armed with Kate's 1:33 333 map and landscape familiarity from a recent rogaine, crossing the countryside to Blinman Pools. There was plenty of water in the pools, a stark contrast to what I saw when I was last here in the drought during 2007 - <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2007-2012-comparison-Blinman-Pool-IMG_0346.jpg">no horizon pool back then</a>. The large, deep pool was irrestible, Ros and I jumped in for a swim - maybe the wrong verb, it was very cold, an instant brain freeze, so we scrambled out pretty quick.<br />
<br />
We returned to our now dry tents, grabbing our packs and trying our hand at some creek navigation, always difficult in the Flinders Ranges. We lunched in a creek bed, each of us with varying degrees of lunch envy, before walking through Wild Dog Creek and onto the Heysen Trail, wandering south to Pigeon Bore. We made it in late, just after sunset, just managing to set up our tents before seeking out our torches.<br />
<br />
We joined two other ABW groups around the fire, sharing our last rations of alcohol and chocolate.<br />
<br />
Early on Monday, five dedicated walkers of the 12 strong group tackled Dib and Dab. We were rewarded with spectacular views of the Heysen Range, Wilpena Pound, and the landscape east all the way to Patawarta, all soaked in the early morning sun.<br />
<br />
<b>Maybe some more photos to come soon...</b><br />
<br />
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<br />
<iframe border="0" frameborder="no" height="525" scrolling="no" src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools.htm" width="700">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;gt;#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#&amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
<br />
<table class="kml_table"><tbody>
<tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="nobrtable"><table><tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br />
<br />
</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="4"><b>Aroona Valley to Blinman Pools and return via Wild Dog Creek</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sunday</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sunday</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Monday</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>09/06/2012</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>10/06/2012</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>10/06/2012</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>11/06/2012</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Aroona Valley campsite to the Cascades</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>The Cascades to Blinman Pools and return</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>The Cascades to Pigeon Bore</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Pigeon Bore to Mt Dib and Mt Dab, return to Pigeon Bore then to Aroona Valley campsite</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Distance</td> <td align="center">19.9km</td> <td align="center">8.33km</td> <td align="center">18.93km (total 27.26km Sun)</td> <td align="center">9.51km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Start Time</td> <td align="center">8.43am</td> <td align="center">8.08am</td> <td align="center">11.33am</td> <td align="center">10.04am</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">End Time</td> <td align="center">2.37pm</td> <td align="center">10.45am</td> <td align="center">5.33pm</td> <td align="center">11.05am</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td> <td align="center">4h04m</td> <td align="center">2h0m</td> <td align="center">4h19m</td> <td align="center">2h31m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td> <td align="center">1h34m</td> <td align="center">1h01m</td> <td align="center">2h09m</td> <td align="center">36m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Average</td> <td align="center">4.9km/h</td> <td align="center"></td> <td align="center">4.4km/h</td> <td align="center">3.8km/h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Overall Average</td> <td align="center">3.4km/h</td> <td align="center"></td> <td align="center">3.1km/h</td> <td align="center">3.1km/h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Oodometer</td> <td align="center">19.9km</td> <td align="center">28.23km</td> <td align="center">47.2km</td> <td align="center">56.9km</td> </tr>
</table></div><br />
<div class="nobrtable" style="width: 700px;"><table style="width: 700px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; padding: 10px;"><b>TRACK NOTES - Aroona Valley to Blinman Pools and return via Wild Dog Creek</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="5" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools-topo-map.pdf"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools-topo-map.jpg" style="border: 0; width:685px;" /></a> Download <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-10_ABW-Aroona-Valley-to-Blinman-Pools-topo-map.pdf">larger version of track notes</a> </td> </tr>
</table></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0Aroona Valley and Blinman Pools, Flinders Ranges, South Australia-31.137838357348649 138.59115600585938-31.151430357348648 138.57141500585936 -31.12424635734865 138.61089700585939tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-21547495586873437612012-06-03T20:56:00.003+09:302020-05-27T09:32:40.391+09:30Mt Crawford Forest<div class="intro_para">A wander through Mt Crawford Forest with the under 40s group from Adelaide Bushwalkers. Hot potatoes on the campfire and warm mushie bananas with infused chocolate, Kate set a high benchmark for our first hike.</div><br />
<p><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;"><table style="width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mt Crawford<br />
<br />
with ABW u40s group</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Hale Conservation Park</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">End</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Lucky Hit Farm</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Time</td> <td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">2 days</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Distance</td> <td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">27km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></div>Oh, it's true, she cheated with the potatoes and bananas. No-one, well no sane person, would carry 12 potatoes and 12 bananas in their pack into the campsite of the first night for our two day hike. She smuggled them there with her car, caching them away behind a tree. We all approved of her cunning though, smart move.</p><br />
There were 12 in our group, after the usual formalities of the car shuffle, we hiked our way through the southern end of Hale Conservation Park, somewhere I have never quite seen due to a too-deep river crossing last time I was there. A bit of scrub, a deep valley, a snack and rest on a ridgetop spur looking over the rolling farmland and forest - all very nice. Some of Warren Conservation Park - great scrub and views - then some country laneways, and eerie forest (forest is always good eerie, as the wind gently blows through the pine needles.) It's true, some of the intruders amongst us complained when bits of trail were overgrown, that every plant in Australia was sharp, overly pointy and liable to kill by a slow death of infection or annoyance (who can argue), but we all managed with it.<br />
<br />
We camped overnight on the Heysen Trail's Scotts Camp. A nice shelter with water tank, fancy pants toilet (no pants required?), a sweet pine-needled forest floor for a soft mattress beneath the tents, and a nicely set up picnic table and circle of stones for a campfire.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtCrawfordABWU40s#5749773033429797554"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HQ9H-bzFZTo/T8tMHDy0CrI/AAAAAAAALnI/g4kl9XyXTdk/s400/IMG_7747.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width:400px; height:300px;" /></a>We put the campfire to good use, as the wind came and went, and soft rain fell. The usual alcohol rations were pooled and divied up - no cheating there, it was all carried in. Some served at outside temperature (what's room temperature when you are camping?) and some warmed up, nice work Mark! I barely needed to eat my dinner with baked potatoes from the coals, and our cheese snacks - thanks for supplying the dual use cheese platter board hut-maintaining-people!<br />
<br />
We sat around laughing, poking fun at each other and talking the shit, as one-by-one people slid off to their tents, as weary hikers are wont to do. A couple of newbies in our midst - new to hiking in Australia anyway - won the peoples' choice award for both lunch and dinner: fresh salad baguettes, steak on the campfire coals and freshly cooked vegies (who's jealous?).<br />
<br />
Sunday morning, after a bit of rousing, we trundled out down the lane, following roads and fire tracks through forest, farmland and into the very nice Cromer Conservation Park. Yes, there were more fence crossings then promised, but it did not dimish from Kate's perfectly scored walk leading.<br />
<br />
Not many photos for this one...<br />
<br />
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5749768456024672545%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http:/www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />
<br />
<iframe border="0" frameborder="no" height="525" scrolling="no" src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-02-ABW-Mt-Crawford.htm" width="700">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;b&amp;amp;gt;#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#&amp;amp;lt;/b&amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
<br />
<table class="kml_table"><tbody>
<tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-02-ABW-Mt-Crawford.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-02-ABW-Mt-Crawford.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-06-02-ABW-Mt-Crawford_v2.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0Scotts Campsite, Mt Crawford Forest-34.759921738487336 138.90655696392059-34.760125738487332 138.9062484639206 -34.759717738487339 138.90686546392058tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-51783125745411122132012-04-22T17:11:00.002+09:302020-05-27T09:32:41.860+09:30Mawson Plateau traverse<div class="intro_para">
A remote wilderness area in the Northern Flinders Ranges, the Mawson Plateau is almost untouched by people and their activities. There are no roads or tracks, no buildings or fences, and unlike much of the Northern Flinders Ranges, no history of mining.</div>
<div class="loc_date">
Mawson Plateau, Northern Flinders Ranges</div>
<br />
<p><div class="nobrtable" style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;">
<table style="width: 300px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; font-style: bold; padding: 10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mawson Plateau traverse</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Mt Shanahan - northern tip of plateau where Granite Creek meets Hamilton Creek. Dropped off by heli-charter from Arkaroola.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">End</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Arkaroola</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Time</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">6 days</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Distance</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">90km</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Mountain Ranges</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Mawson Plateau and broader Northern Flinders Ranges</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Topographic maps</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>1:250 000</nobr> scale Frome SH54-10; <nobr>1:50 000</nobr> scale Yudnamutana 6737-1; <nobr>1:50 000</nobr> scale Wooltana 6737-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Pastoral Stations</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Mt Freeling Station; Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>La Nina, one of the weather phenomenons that so drastically affect Australia's weather patterns, brought the gift - as she is wont to do - of a huge downpour of rain to the deserts back in early March. Over five days 247mm fell at Arkaroola. It brought the rain we needed to make this hike possible. There are no rain gauges on the Mawson Plateau, which is a couple days walk north of Arkaroola Village, but it is thought that rainfall on the plateau is similar to the Gammon Ranges, both being of higher elevation than Arkaroola Village, so more rain falls.</p>
<p>Almost all the dirt roads across outback SA were closed in the days after the March deluge, and many had to be graded to be reopened. This kept grader operators busy, so the runway at Moolowatana Station, the first station and servicable runway north of the Mawson Plateau, was still damaged. So like last year, we had to charter a helicopter to drop us out. More expensive, but being able to drop us almost anywhere it saved us two days walking in from Moolowatana Station.</p>
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734085504600469890"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-twdszH2Yfts/T5OQYs1tcYI/AAAAAAAALcw/P3pEhkpkYt8/s512/IMG_7475.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width:300px;" /></a>The plateau spans an area seven kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long. The area is littered with large areas of exposed granite, capturing water in numerous rockholes. Granite Creek and its many tributaries drain the plateau, flowing to the north to meet Hamilton Creek before making their way out to Lake Callabonna - one of the many large salt lakes that form a horseshoe around the Northern Flinders Ranges. Its highest point is Freeling Heights, a bluff on the south-western corner of the plateau. Originally the plateau was named Freeling Heights, but was later renamed in honour of Douglas Mawson.</p>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734086071259743490"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZI0YqSHOIlDG_VntnC6Oy4LELXuDmCBG0cJZQXXR0qzVLP2XmMr1UXPQvwlAyafcwWNkOimbCgR2nt69-1Zu8tv4dftbr_8nNF70HNg8X8HL4abQqk6Jji7mGKfRlEzhRy8fBRv1FerM/s512/IMG_7619.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width:300px;" /></a>The plateau is largely untouched, it's quite hard to find any sign of human impact. There are no roads or tracks, no buildings or fences, quite possibly no weeds (I've heard tell, I'm no expert), and little impact from feral animals, even goats (which are rampant in the Gammon Ranges to the south.) We found a couple of stardropper stakes in a clearing on our way up to Freeling Heights, marking the site of a government photo survey of vegetation. On stardroppers, one of the waterholes on upper Granite Creek is called Star Dropper Waterhole, so named after the single stardropper there that marks a corner boundary of the Arkaroola and Mount Freeling pastoral leases. We knew of this waterhole, we had seen photos, but did not know its exact location as the pastoral lease boundaries are not usually shown on the topographic maps. We did, unbeknownst to us at the time, see the waterhole on our return from the summit of Freeling Heights. In the back corner of a photo of the waterhole the star dropper can clearly be seen!</p>
<p>A single old track makes a small incursion on the plateau just south west of Mt Shanahan, an old mining track, the type such as litters the Northern Flinders Ranges. Without maintenance these tracks suffer from washaways and soon become undriveable. This one stretched a few hundred metres onto the plateau. It's unusual to hike in the Flinders Ranges somewhere that no 4WD could possibly travel, or has ever travelled.</p>
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734086161461678834"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R137kM85vQw/T5OQ-71oEvI/AAAAAAAALh8/ci9dtkSscuw/s512/IMG_7641.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; width: 695px;" /></a>There were are few other signs of human impact. Behind a rock above the Tee Junction Waterhole, one of the few permanent waterholes on the plateau (after decent rains it is thought to last ten years or so) we found an emergency cache of food and essential items. You know the essential things one might need: coffee, chocolate, cigarettes, toilet paper. From the logbook it seems to have been first placed there by Reg Sprigg in 1987, and has been well stocked since, very little was out of date. As the permanent waterhole, and one of the few named ones, it is a popular spot with hikers to camp at. That said, there were few entries in the logbook, but that may be due to hikers, such as us, not knowing the cache was there; we stumbled upon it on our second night there.</p>
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734085992693458498"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_mt2G_0KEpBnkrfK8YUuNF23g1CHfcK3pSuCtBecVuaEjA6InU9E9bNxnwC1hb6w_7quZl1BFkgIOnFeEu7sOasLLWBxvw4WcJITBGvkJ3AE9Ycy0qB3dNgTz1g7gHm7AD9iEjELVetU/s512/IMG_7602-3_Panorama.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; width: 695px;" /></a></p>
<p>A couple of old stone cairns built by surveyors mark summits, there is one on Mt Shanahan, a summit which seems remarkably insignificant, and on Freeling Heights. Towering drystone structures, they never cease to amaze me in how well the surveryors of old constructed them. The Freeling Heights one, like all good summit cairns, is complete with a logbook of sorts, in this case loose paper in an old jar. Of all the notes in there, and there were not many - it seems there was only one, sometimes two, visits each year. Some year had no visits. Tafe was a common visiting party - the outdoor education course - they also featured quite well in the cache at Tee Junction Waterhole. Up at the Freeling Heights summit there were several cleared campsites, perhaps most clearly noticable by the large slabs of stone that had been carefully positioned to form chairs and even side tables.</p>
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734086081545970130"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gPEHam2p4EU/T5OQ6SIPIdI/AAAAAAAALhM/bIA9U8JCSl8/s512/IMG_7622.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>The March rains filled all the rockholes, even after seeing so many waterholes we did not grow tired of them. It's hard to imagine what hiking here might look like in drier times. The waterholes were often an obstruction, a few times we had to scramble around them, many times over and around them. There were upsides to this though, by lunchtime on the first day we were already swimming in a vast waterhole. Every day on the plateau featured a good swim.</p>
<p>On our second day we decided to leave Granite Creek, with its many obstructing waterholes. We followed a spurline for two kilometres up to the escarpment edge, from here we had dramatic views over the eastern plains and Lake Frome. Following the escarpment to the south west, the escarpment grew increasingly dramatic. We crossed back across the plateau, which was no easy navigation task, to Granite Creek and its rockholes.</p>
<p>The views from Freeling Heights were also dramatic, we had a very clear day, one of the clearest I have seen up there. We could easily see Mt Painter, which we climbed in 2011, and further south Benbonyathe Hill (2010), Mt McKinlay, Patawarta Hill (2009) - 110km away - and Rawnsley Bluff on Wilpena Pound - 180km away.</p>
<p><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MawsonPlateauTraverse#5734086254942216306"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GGKN8zgk0nY/T5OREYFH4HI/AAAAAAAALiw/K_5i4lvtC1A/s512/IMG_7672.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0 0 10px 10px;" /></a>On the fourth day we hiked to the escarpment, dropping off 400 metres in elevation down a long spur line to a creek. From here we followed it downstream to the hot springs at Paralana. The days were all hot, and most sunny, and we often sought out the shade of trees, no matter how small. A Paralana Hot Springs we sat in the cool reeds beside the hot flowing spring water. It was here we saw our first people since leaving Arkaroola, a couple visiting the springs in their 4WD. An offer of a cold beer would have been nice. Alas, unrefreshed we hiked on in the hot sun.</p>
<p>We camped beside a waterhole every night, and it was only one night where we forewent a swim, in that case to preserve the water from contamination for drinking. Our last night was possibly the best swim, in Bararranna Waterhole. Here the creek was flowing and the waterhole large, it reminded me of some of the rocky vegetationless gorge waterholes in the Kimberley, it was enormous.</p>
<p>On the sixth day we sidled into Arkaroola, and showers, cool drinks, food and chairs. Ah the things you miss hey.</p>
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<td align="center" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; font-size: 110%; padding: 10px;"><b>TRACK NOTES - Mawson Plateau traverse</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="5" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-04-14-Mawson-Plateau-Arkaroola-track-notes.pdf"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-04-14-Mawson-Plateau-Arkaroola-track-notes.jpg" style="border: 0; width:685px;" /></a>
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<td align="left" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Label</b></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Location</b></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Grid Ref</b></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Time</b></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Note</b></td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Sunday 15/04/12</b></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Start</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">NE of Mt Shanahan</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 559 770</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">8.20am drop-off (15min flight from Arkaroola)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">on hill NE of where Granite Creek meets Hamilton Creek. Hike along Granite Creek.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">1</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">waterhole on Granite Creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 542 747</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">12.01/1.05pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Lunch + swim</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">2</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 535 731</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">2.05pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">3</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Turn around - too far</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 533 726</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">2.50pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Gorge narrowing, gorge exit missed</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">4/Campsite</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Campsite day 1</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 535 731</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">3.10pm. Day's hike was 9.2km/6hr walk</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Camp beside creek on sandy area beside large shallow waterhole</td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Monday 16/04/12</b></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">4</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Campsite day 1</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 535 731</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">7am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Leave camp, hike up spur to escarpment (5)</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">5</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Escarpment</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 547 717</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">7.56am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Follow escarpment to pt 7</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">6</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 538 700</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">8.50/9.18am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">7</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Leave escarpment edge</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 520 686</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">10.35/10.55am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Begin to cross plateau from escarpment edge back to Granite Creek</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">8</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 513 682</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">11.45/11.57am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">9</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Lunch at head of creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 505 282</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">12.25/12.55pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">10</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Rockholes on Granite Creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 498 681</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">1.19pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Lots of rockholes here, continue up creek to point 11</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">11/Campsite day 2</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Tee Junction Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 489 678</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">2.15pm. Day's hike was 13km & 7h15m</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Explored further to tee junction, waterhole a few hundred metres downstream from junction.</td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Tuesday 17/04/12</b></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">11/Campsite day 2</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Tee Junction Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 489 678</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">6.50am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Leave camp with daypacks for hike up to Freeling Heights summit and return to camp here again</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">12</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR </nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">8.36am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Proceed up southern arm of Granite Creek, contour around to more open flatter area to west. Yes got a little sidetracked turning too far north when cross-country.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">13</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Clearing</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 458 665</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">8.50am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break in open clearing. Proceed across clearing, then following creek lines to vicinity of 449 655. Proceed up spur to flatter ridge near summit</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">14</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Freeling Heights summit</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 448 643</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">10.30/11.10am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Summmit marked by stone surveyors cairn in SW corner of ridge. Numerous campsites near summit, some shady.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">15</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Clearing</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 457 664</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">12.35pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Lunch. Follow creek lines across clearing and open country. Easiest way is to continue following creeks into major Granite Creek. Last 1.5km into Tee Junction difficult due to waterholes.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">11/Campsite day 2 & 3</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Tee Junction Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 489 678</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">2.15pm. Day's hike 16.9km, 5.5hr moving, 7.5hr total</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Camp here again for a second night.</td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Wednesday 18/04/12</b></td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">11/Campsite day 2 & 3</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Tee Junction Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 489 678</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">7.10am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Leave camp. Proceed up SW branch of Granite Creek to waterfall</td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">12 (oops duplicated)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Waterfall</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 479 667</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">8.07am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Contour around hills beside creek, hills clearer than creek here</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">13 (oops duplicated)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break, clearing and stand of trees</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 473 655</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">9.09/9.27am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Clearing in creek</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">13 (oops duplicated again)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Escarpment edge</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 473 650</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">9.50am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Proceed down long spurline</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">14 (oops duplicated)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Start of steep spur</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 478 642</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">10.28am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Continue down spur, this section is very steep</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">15 (oops duplicated)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Hot Springs/Paralana Creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 484 630</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">11.40am/12.20pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Lunch in creek at base of long spur. Proceed downstream along creek to Paralana Hot Springs.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">16</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Paralana Hot Springs</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 499 607</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">1.45/2.15pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">17</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Exit Yudnamatana Creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 483 588</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">3pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Proceed up Nicolls Spring Creek, go right at major creek junction after a narrow gorge</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">18/Campsite day 4</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Camp north of Nicholls Spring</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 482 578</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">4pm. Day's hike was 17km, 5.5hr moving, 9h overall</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Camped beside two-step waterfall, pools of water under each, pink granite rock</td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Thursday 19/04/12</b></td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">18/Campsite day 4</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Camp north of Nicholls Spring</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 482 578</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">7.07am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Proceed up creek</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">19</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Nicholls Spring</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 477 573</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Marginal spring, spent sometime verifying location</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">20</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">8am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Spring found, returned to packs, continue following creekline up</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">21</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Head of creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">8.45am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break. Proceed up to saddle and ridge, skirt around 450m peak, proceed down long spur to East Painter Creek</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">22</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">East Painter Creek</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 457 5444</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">10.30/10.45am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Break. Follow East Painter Creek downstream to East Painter Bore and tank.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">23</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Old Mine Track</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">An easier start to tackling Humanity Seat? No, doubt it, track not long enough.</td>
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<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">24</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">11.30am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">25</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">East Painter bore</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 479 521</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">12.00/12.40pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Bore and tank. Creek enters plains here. Proceed along 4WD track to Paralana Hot Springs road, south past Lady Buxton Mine for 1.25km, turn south-west along an Arkaroola 4WD track past White Ants Mine</td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">26</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Top of hill</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 469 492</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">1.40pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">A real bastard this track. Why didn't we navigate around it? Continued down track.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">27</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Creek/Road T-junction</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">2.20pm</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Take south track to Bararranna Waterhole</td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">28/Campsite day 5</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Bararranna Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 457 479</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">3pm. Day's hike was 19km, 5.5hr moving, 7.5hr overall.</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Very large waterhole in gorge. Two waterholes at present. Carpark at end of road, but road looks out of service since March rains.</td>
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<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;"><b>Friday 20/04/12</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">28/Campsite day 5</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Bararranna Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr>GR 457 479</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">6.50am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Leave camp, proceed along track back to Arkaroola, track follows creek</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">29</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Echo Camp Waterhole</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 429 497</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">8.10am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">30</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Arkaroola Bore</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">9am</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #e0e0e0;">Break</td>
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<tr>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">31</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">Arkaroola (reception)</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"><nobr>GR 400 455</nobr></td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;">10.15am. Day's hike was 14km, 3h moving, 3.5h overall</td>
<td align="left" style="background: #b3b2b2;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" colspan="5" style="background: #84b56b; height: 2px;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1Mawson Plateau, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, South Australia 5710, Australia-30.109493896732292 139.42474365234375-30.329115896732294 139.10888665234376 -29.889871896732291 139.74060065234374tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-35879633574408851552012-03-27T21:26:00.006+10:302020-05-27T09:32:43.805+09:30Mt Bogong, #5 of the State 8<div class="intro_para">A 700-metre ascent from a humid, fern-filled valley onto an alpine summit could not be more of a contrast. Mt Bogong, Victoria’s highest peak at 1968 metres, lies in the Victiorian Alps near the 50s town of Mt Beauty.</div><br /><div class="loc_date">Mt Bogong, the High Country, Victoria</div><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The final of three blog entries for a week spent around Canberra doing three of the State 8 peaks - the highest mountains in each of Australia's eight states and territories.</span><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable" style="width:300px; float:right;"><br /><table style="width:300px;"><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; font-style:bold; font-size:110%; padding:10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mt Bogong hike</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Start</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Mountain Creek Picnic Area</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">End</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Mt Bogong summit, re-trace steps to Mountain Creek Picnic Area</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Time</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">3h15m up, 2h30m down</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Distance</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">7km each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Elevation gain</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1370m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Topographic maps</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">1:30 000 scale, T8324-1-3-S</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div>The alpine environment of Mt Bogong was quite different from the alpine environment of Mt Kosciuszko. Bogong has quite a lot of prominence, how much it rises above country around it. So the alpine area around the summit is small, contrasting with the large alpine area that surrounds the rather indistinct Kosciuszko.<br /><br />Mt Bogong was the third peak on the week’s list of the State 8 summits – the highest peak in each of Australia’s eight states and territories.<br /><br />Starting from Mountain Creek Picnic Area, we hiked up the aptly named Staircase Spur. The most direct route, so the steepest, with a few short sections that taper off the constant ascent. We hiked up in the warm, humid afternoon to the halfway point, Bivouac Hut. The noisy school kids didn’t put us off for long, we set up our tents in the large clearing beside the hut – the hut itself is quite small and designed for emergency use. It does have a wood heater though, and a water tank. We did try and look further afield for some tent spots, but being on a steep spur halfway up a mountain meant there were limited camping options, so we settled down with the teenagers instead. Lightning rolled around us the sun set, but we sat outside cooking dinner as the rain spared us.<br /><br />The following morning, with the summit shrouded in mist, we set off again to the top. Conditions changed as we got higher, we walked past the treeline into the cool breeze, and then into the mist. Nearing the summit paths led off to the right, but in the mist it may have been certain death, so we continued along the snow poles to the ridge, then walked the short distance to the summit. Marked by a large stone cairn which provided us with shelter from the strong, cold winds, Vicki did her little summit jig. We were thankful we had brought along extra clothes, not needed back near the hut but a life-saver up here. A small blue spot emerged through the clouds in the sky above us, but we soon gave up on waiting for any clearing of the weather, and instead started heading back down.<br /><br />Finishing back at the cars Mountain Creek Picnic Area, we sniffed out a dozen tents that appeared, absent of people and cars, before enjoying a swim in the freezing waters of the creek.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5724515341206403185%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJaUiZX4oLLIIw%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area-download.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area-download.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable" style="width:700px;"><br /><table style="width:700px;"><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#84b56b; font-size:110%; padding:10px;"><b>TRACK NOTES - Mt Bogong</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area.pdf"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area.jpg" style="border:0;"></a><br />Download <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-14-Mt-Bogong-via-Staircase-Spur-from-Mountain-Creek-Picnic-Area.pdf">larger version of track notes</a><br /></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Label</b></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Grid Ref</b></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Location</b></td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Note</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr>225 383</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Mountain Creek Picnic Area, carpark</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">lawned area beside creek, picnic tables, carpark, toilet</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">2</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><nobr>242 383</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Base of Staircase Spur</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">30 mins from carpark</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">3</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr>263 368</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Bivouac Hut</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Small hut with stove, water tank, nice toilet, camping area. 1h30m from base of spur (1), 2h from carpark (1). 4km from carpark (1).</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">4</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Treeline</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;"></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">5</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Memorial</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;"></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">6</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Ridge junction</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Turn west for summmit, east for Eskdale Point</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">7</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr>273 347</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Mt Bogong summit</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Marked by cairn, 1h15m from Bivouac Hut (3), 2h45m from base of spur (2), 3h15m from carpark (1). 7.1km from carpark (1).</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-52353771054931686042012-03-24T15:42:00.011+10:302020-05-27T09:32:45.072+09:30Mt Kosciuszko, #4 of the State 8<div class="intro_para">Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak at 2228 metres, sits in the midst of an alpine area. The summit itself is not particularly prominent, the walk in from Charlottes Pass is a gentle steady ascent. It is along an old road, closed in the 60s, which led close to the summit.</div><br /><div class="loc_date">Mt Kosciuszko, Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales</div><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The second of three blog entries for a week spent around Canberra doing three of the State 8 peaks - the highest mountains in each of Australia's eight states and territories.</span><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable" style="width:300px; float:right;"><br /><table style="width:300px;"><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; font-style:bold; font-size:110%; padding:10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Mt Kosciuszko hike</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Start</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Charlottes Pass, end of Mt Kosciusko Road from Jindabyne</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">End</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Mt Kosciusko summit, re-trace steps to Charlottes Pass</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#84b56b;" colspan="2">Summit Walk</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Time</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1h45m one-way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Distance</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">9km each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Elevation gain</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">390m</td><br /> </tr><br /><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#84b56b;" colspan="2">Mt Townsend from Main Range Track</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Time</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1h one-way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Distance</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">2.5km each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Elevation gain</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">100m</td><br /> </tr><br /><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#84b56b;" colspan="2">Main Range Track</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Time</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">2h45m one-way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Distance</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">12.7km each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Elevation gain</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">390m</td><br /> </tr><br /><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Topographic maps</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">1:25 000 scale, Perisher Valley 8525-2S</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div>The summit is visible from Charlottes Pass, but can be difficult to identify. Charlottes Pass is at the end of the bitumen road, not surprisingly it is Australia’s highest town. Town might be a bit too much to attribute to it, it is a ski resort with a collection of ski lodges. We were able to stay in one lodge, the Pygmy Possum Lodge, with our keen alpine hiker lodge host, Ziggy.<br /><br />Following the dirt road to the summit from Charlottes Pass, we crossed the infamous Snowy River, a mere few hundred metres from the headwaters. Passing an old stone hut, Seamans Hut, we got our first definitive glimpse of the summit of Kosciuszko.<br /><br />After an obligatory stop at Australia’s highest toilet, located at the track junction with the ridge Boardwalk that comes from the ski-lift at Thredbo, and where the road used to end at a carpark, we continued on the short distance to the summit.<br /><br /><div style="width:235px; float:left;"><iframe width="233" height="330" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wjM0k4mrBk8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>In the sun Vicki and Shea did a jig (oops no sound), and we sheltered on the leeward side of the summit cairn to eat lunch.<br /><br />From here the easy hiking ended. We returned to Charlottes Pass via the Main Range Track, diverting off track to the summit of Mt Townsend. It wasn’t really off-track, a foot track marked by stone cairns led from the Main Range Track to the summit. Mt Townsend used to be called Mt Kosciuszko, and Mt Kosciuszko called Mt Townsend. After being named surveys revealed that the now-named Mt Kosciuszko was higher than the previously named Mt Kosciuszko (Mt Townsend), so instead of re-educating people as to the name of the Australia’s peak, they simply swapped the names.<br /><br />A short cut back from the summit of Mt Townsend to the Main Range Track saw us skirt around Muellers Peak with views of Albion Lake. Back on the Main Range Track we were triumphantly welcomed into the Blue Lake Junction by Vicki and Jack, who had gone ahead and waited for us. Rather exhausted, we plodded on down the valley, crossing the cold waters of the Snowy again, and up the other side to Charlottes Pass.<br /><br />The following day, eager for a rest of sorts, we did a half-day hike from Charlottes Pass, off track up to Blue Lake, past Hedley Tarn, and then returning via the Main Range Track. Our tired legs and foggy summits put us off climbing to the summit of Little Twynam and Mt Twynam.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5723338731281413761%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCIHQlq2Kr5ae0gE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-12-Mt-Kosciuszko-Charlottes-Pass-Summit-Walk-Main-Range-Walk-Mt-Townsend.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-12-Mt-Kosciuszko-Charlottes-Pass-Summit-Walk-Main-Range-Walk-Mt-Townsend.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-12-Mt-Kosciuszko-Charlottes-Pass-Summit-Walk-Main-Range-Walk-Mt-Townsend-download.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-12-Mt-Kosciuszko-Charlottes-Pass-Summit-Walk-Main-Range-Walk-Mt-Townsend-download.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-42113135088179304582012-03-21T21:22:00.012+10:302020-05-27T09:32:46.669+09:30Bimberi Peak, #3 of the State 8<div class="intro_para">Returning back from the summit of Bimberi Peak, carefully following the narrow track marked by stone cairns, we heard voices off to the right in the forest. Mmm… strange, we thought we’d be alone on this hike.</div><br /><div class="loc_date">Bimberi Peak, Australian Capital Territory</div><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The first of three blog entries for a week spent around Canberra doing three of the State 8 peaks - the highest mountains in each of Australia's eight states and territories.</span><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable" style="width:300px; float:right;"><br /><table style="width:300px;"><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; font-style:bold; font-size:110%; padding:10px;"><b>SUMMARY - Bimberi Peak hike</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Start</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Locked gate on Pocket Saddle Road, 34.5km from bitumen highway</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">End</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Bimberi Peak summit, re-trace steps to gate on Pocket Saddle Road</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Time</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">3.5 hours each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Distance</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">11km each way</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Elevation gain</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">680m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Topographic maps</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">1:25 000 scale, two maps, Rules Point 8626-4S and Rendezvous Creek 8626-1S</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="2" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div>Having set them straight on the ascent, to follow the stone cairns – "the what?", the piles of stones - we met another two parties ascending. It was a long weekend, but having camped out overnight at Oldfields Hut had given us a head start on other hiking parties.<br /><br />The previous day we had driven the 35 kilometre Tantangara Road to the Tantangara Dam wall, crossing the Murrumbidgee River on a low timber bridge, then proceeding along Pocket Saddle Road. We had had conflicting advice about this dirt road, particularly Pocket Saddle Road past the timber bridge, was it suitable for a 2WD, or was a 4WD necessary. We had six people in our hiking party, so had hired two cars. To edge our bets, we hired an AWD and 2WD sedan. In the fortnight prior to our hike, a huge weather front had dropped 388mm of rain here, although nothing of significance in the five days prior. The road was fine. There was the occasional pool of water, but as the two roads follow the ridges creek crossings are minimal. The few creek crossings there were were culverted beneath the road.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/BimberiPeakACTSHighestPeak3OfAustraliaSState8?authkey=Gv1sRgCPejo6PB1M-vmgE#5722280918591104754"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3ouHXS_PpMg/T2mgLXGeZvI/AAAAAAAALPQ/tWJR35zI56c/s400/IMG_7229.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>We hiked an hour into Oldfields Hut, an old three-roomed cattlemans hut from the 1930s. We camped beside the hut, there is a large verandah, water tank and toilet. The following morning we continued along the fire trail to Murrays Gap. Water was flowing in the creeks, but again in each instance the creek was culverted beneath the road, otherwise there would have been some cold creek crossings.<br /><br />The road reaches into the cleared and swampy saddle, the border between NSW and the ACT. From here we followed the stone-cairn marked track up the ridge, along the border, through the tree line to the summit. A survey trig point marks the summit. In what, at first, seemed like an ingenious logbook container, a double capped PVC sewer pipe bolted to the concrete footing of the trig, the contained logbooks was somewhat soggy and mouldy. Leaving some blank papers in a new sealed plastic bag, having signed our merry hearts away, this was after all peak number three in the State 8 - the highest summit in each of Australia’s states and territories.<br /><br />We returned back to the car that afternoon. Simon, Shea and myself enjoyed a refreshing swim in a creek near the car, much to the mocking cries of the crew from the AWD who preferred to fester with their smelly gear in their vehicle. Not a problem, all in our car washed, as we journeyed down to Jindabyne to camp in a swampy caravan park beside a flooded Lake Jindabyne.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5722280895710005857%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCPejo6PB1M-vmgE%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut-download.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut-download.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable" style="width:700px;"><br /><table style="width:700px;"><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#84b56b; font-size:110%; padding:10px;"><b>TRACK NOTES - Bimberi Peak hike</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut-track-notes.pdf"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut-track-notes.jpg" style="border:0;"></a><br />Download <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2012-03-11-Bimberi-Peak-ACT-from-Oldfields-Hut-track-notes.pdf">larger version of track notes</a><br /></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Label</b></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Grid Ref</b></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Location</b></td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><b>Note</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr>588 504</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Locked Gate</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">34.5km along dirt roads, first Tantangara Road then Pocket Saddle Road. Leave car here.</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">2</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Fire Track t-junction</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Follow east track</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">3</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr>620 523</nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Oldfields Hut</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">1 hour from gate (1)</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">4</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Murrays Gap</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#b3b2b2;">Proceed to middle of swamp clearing at top of saddle, beside double sign saying 'Namadgi National Park' & 'Murrays Gap'. 1h15m from Oldfields Hut (3).</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">5</td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;"><nobr></nobr></td><br /> <td align="center" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Bimberi Peak</td><br /> <td align="left" style="background:#e0e0e0;">Follow stone cairn marked foot track along ridge to Bimberi Peak summut. 1h15m from Murrays Gap (4). 3.5 hours from gate (1)</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="center" colspan="4" style="background:#84b56b; height:2px;"></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-80104164284224557172012-01-11T16:35:00.027+10:302020-05-27T09:32:48.219+09:30Finishing off the Great South West Walk<div class="intro_para">I may have previously said some evil things about this walk, I take all those things back. Having now completed the 250km trail, it is, upon reflection of its entirety, the Great South West Walk is a fantastic trail. It is spectacular, with good facilities and well maintained.</div><br /><div class="loc_date"><a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com">Great South West Walk</a>, Discovery Bay Conservation Park and Coboboonee Forest</div><br /><br />We walked the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-south-west-walk-western-half.html">eastern 100km back in Easter</a>, and have just walked the remaining 150km western section. At Easter we walked from Moleside, down the Glenelg River to Nelson, then along the beaches to Mt Richmond. This time we walked from Mt Richmond, along the coastal cliffs and headlands to Portland, then through the forest back to Moleside.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/GreatSouthWestWalkEasternHalf#5696302144554968018"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eEoBlxr_KEA/Tw1UnsN-o9I/AAAAAAAALH4/xqM4J9iEM34/s800/IMG_6993-95_Panorama.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />The coastal section here is spectacular. The coastal section from Nelson to Mt Richmond had been dominated by long walks on the beach, perhaps that sounds like something from a dating website, but about half of the beach is avoidable with alternative inland routes. This trip's section was dominated by clifftop walking along headlands, and short beach sections in small bays. It is spectacular. A narrow national park follows much of the coastline. The waves pound at the base of the cliffs, so there is always something good to watch with awe-filled eyes, until a general giddiness and and lack of head-for-heights drags you back from the cliff edge. Much of this area has been formed by volcanic action, so there are different rock types which add much interest.<br /><br />Our first campsite, at The Springs on Cape Bridgewater, provided a fascinating insight into local geology. Where were the springs, I wondered. The last place I expected! The fresh water is to be found on the large rock platforms a little above where the waves crash, at the base of the coastal cliffs. Yep! I did wonder how the water got that high. Freshwater seaps out of the cliff onto the rock platforms, some of the volcanic rocks is impenetrable, so it flows out horizontally to the cliff edges.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/GreatSouthWestWalkEasternHalf#5696302840780590610"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pVph-kxvfPY/Tw1VQN3GjhI/AAAAAAAALK8/OX_EqtXRRfM/s400/IMG_7087.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>There are many wind turbines along this coast, but on the upside, and much to Graham's disappointment, popular opinion sees them as better to look at than a coal plant. If you are a bit down on not seeing a coal plant though, take heart, walking into Portland you walk three sides of a large aluminium smelter. Curiously, who knew this, depending on where you read though, this single smelter uses 18-25% of Victoria's electricity. It looms large on the horizon, quite why it is sits on a prominent headland I'm not sure, but clearly it needs to be close to the port facilities of Portland, and the large conveyor belt disguised as a massive pipeline from the port to the smelter gives a few clues as to why I suppose. Don't be discouraged though, it is only seen for one day, and if you pivot your head to the right the coastline is still spectacular, the first half of the walk out of Mallee campsite is stunning, you hardly notice the plant. And it's not like we don't all use aluminium, at the very least much of our hiking gear is made of it.<br /><br />The track is well maintained. We met quite a few locals who knew someone who got out and maintained the trail. Much of the trail in this area needs to be mowed, yes, that will sound strange to a South Australian, but indeed it is mowed, and foliage cut back. The trail is well signposted, we had no trouble following it. There are many interpretive signs along the way, I really appreciated these, so many fascinating things to learn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZEtKas1sPv7-M__qooi6khyphenhyphenfZhLB6oNNcBeSu8PBisDmkic70WDjn-ZDb2UDrgnCvjOUNwi3ZC7wMtaSEQPSxPLfF342GSAzqaVi8vE0vOkWNZr9dRnLGQ-f7ycvCTEsYMKXxkwILKvK/s1600/Lower_Glenelg_Discovery_Bay_800px.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 320px;border:0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZEtKas1sPv7-M__qooi6khyphenhyphenfZhLB6oNNcBeSu8PBisDmkic70WDjn-ZDb2UDrgnCvjOUNwi3ZC7wMtaSEQPSxPLfF342GSAzqaVi8vE0vOkWNZr9dRnLGQ-f7ycvCTEsYMKXxkwILKvK/s320/Lower_Glenelg_Discovery_Bay_800px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696252032482789330" /></a>A good map, better than the <a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/track/gsswmap.jpg">map on the Great South West Walk website</a>, is the map produced by <a href="https://www.cartographics.com.au">Cartographics</a> and <a href="https://www.meridianmaps.com.au/news_images/new_release_links/vic_lower_nr.asp">Meridian Maps</a>. It's 1:50 000 scale, topographic, recent, and very accurate with lots of good info marked. It can be purchased online or locally at Portland at the Portland Visitor Information Centre or Davis Newsagency.<br /><br /><iframe style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0; width: 300px; height: 203px;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wLTT0piXLuo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Hikers will be pleased to hear there are two cafes along this coastline, which is not bad for a four day section. One is at the beach and carpark called Cape Bridgewater, and another at the Cape Nelson lighthouse. Yum yum, no objections to supplementing our hiking rations here. The guys out at Cape Nelson lighthouse were so friendly and welcoming to us, even offering to top up our water supplies. Such a hiker-friendly attitude is so rarely seen!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/GreatSouthWestWalkEasternHalf#5696303411958394402"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gv7qr12lkC4/Tw1VxdqgLiI/AAAAAAAALM0/9uSN_paAosg/s800/IMG_7131.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>The campsites were superbly set up. Each of the six campsites we stayed at, and the three we walked through, had a good size shelter with table and bench, picnic table in the open (for the sunny days), water tank, fire pit and toilet. Some were grassy, some had plenty of shade and protection from the elements, some tent pads, and one with a coastal viewing platform. Each of the campsites came equipped with several others hikers, which was good, I quite like that feature. It was good to chat to others hiking the trail, some were walking in the same direction, others the opposite, some for four or so days, some the complete trail. For the seven days on the trail we chased someone around the trail, but failed to ever catch them as they were walking super fast it seemed. From what I have read every campsite is being upgraded with shelter installations like these, certainly even back in Easter only half of these campsites were listed as having shelters.<br /><br />We stayed at a motel in Portland, cheap at $100 per night. The <a href="https://www.admellamotel.com/">Admella motel</a> was good, it had a catchy tagline emphasing how cheap it was, it was clean and neat and had been renovated. Once again, a friendly crowd. A local told us that <a href="https://www.richmondhenty.com.au/macs/index.php/quality-a-macs-hotel.html">Mac's</a> was good to stay at for trail hikers cheap at $70 a night for the older rooms in the motel behind the main pub. On the main esplanade too just off the trail, good if you are walking in from the south, and close to take-away foodies.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5696301994778882577%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><h2>Google Map of the recent 7-day walk</h2><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2011_12_26_Great_South_West_Walk_eastern_half.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/2011_12_26_Great_South_West_Walk_eastern_half.htm">full screen format</a></td></tr></table><br /><br /><h2>Google Map of the whole Great South West Walk hiking trail</h2><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/Great-South-West-Walk_GSWW_April2011-Jan2012.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/Great-South-West-Walk_GSWW_April2011-Jan2012.htm">full screen format</a></td></tr></table><br /><br /><a name="gpx_kml_gsww"></a><h2>Download the GPS map files for the Great South West Walk hiking trail</h2><br /><br />Load the GPX files onto your handheld GPS unit to hike the Great South West Walk. Download the KML files to view the trail in Google Earth.<br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br />Download all files:<br /><ul><br /> <li>Download <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=Great-South-West-Walk-Victoria.gpx">single GPX file</a> with 19 tracks and 16 campsites (load GPX file onto your GPS unit)</li><br /> <li>Download all KML files in a <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/Great-South-West-Walk-KML-files.zip">single KML ZIP file</a></li><br /></ul><br /><br />Or, download individual track files:<br /><br /> <table><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 01</td><br /> <td>Portland to Cubbys Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-01-Portland-to-Cubbys-Camp.gpx" title="Download Portland to Cubbys Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-01-Portland-to-Cubbys-Camp.kml" title="Download Portland to Cubbys Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 02</td><br /> <td>Cubbys Camp to Cut out Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-02-Cubbys-Camp-to-Cut-out-Camp.gpx" title="Download Cubbys Camp to Cut out Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-02-Cubbys-Camp-to-Cut-out-Camp.kml" title="Download Cubbys Camp to Cut out Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 03</td><br /> <td>Cut out Camp to Cobboboonee Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-03-Cut-out-Camp-to-Cobboboonee-Camp.gpx" title="Download Cut out Camp to Cobboboonee Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-03-Cut-out-Camp-to-Cobboboonee-Camp.kml" title="Download Cut out Camp to Cobboboonee Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 04</td><br /> <td>Cobboboonee Camp to Fitzroy Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-04-Cobboboonee-Camp-to-Fitzroy-Camp.gpx" title="Download Cobboboonee Camp to Fitzroy Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-04-Cobboboonee-Camp-to-Fitzroy-Camp.kml" title="Download Cobboboonee Camp to Fitzroy Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 05</td><br /> <td>Fitzroy Camp to Moleside Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-05-Fitzroy-Camp-to-Moleside-Camp.gpx" title="Download Fitzroy Camp to Moleside Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-05-Fitzroy-Camp-to-Moleside-Camp.kml" title="Download Fitzroy Camp to Moleside Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 06</td><br /> <td>Moleside Camp to Post and Rail Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-06-Moleside-Camp-to-Post-and-Rail-Camp.gpx" title="Download Moleside Camp to Post and Rail Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-06-Moleside-Camp-to-Post-and-Rail-Camp.kml" title="Download Moleside Camp to Post and Rail Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 07</td><br /> <td>Post and Rail Camp to Pattersons Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-07-Post-and-Rail-Camp-to-Pattersons-Camp.gpx" title="Download GPS file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-07-Post-and-Rail-Camp-to-Pattersons-Camp.kml" title="Download KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 08</td><br /> <td>Pattersons Camp to Simsons Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-08-Pattersons-Camp-to-Simsons-Camp.gpx" title="Download Post and Rail Camp to Pattersons Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-08-Pattersons-Camp-to-Simsons-Camp.kml" title="Download Post and Rail Camp to Pattersons Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 09</td><br /> <td>Simsons Camp to White Sands Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-09-Simsons-Camp-to-White-Sands-Camp.gpx" title="Download Simsons Camp to White Sands Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-09-Simsons-Camp-to-White-Sands-Camp.kml" title="Download Simsons Camp to White Sands Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 10a</td><br /> <td>White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via inland route</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-10a-White-Sands-Camp-to-Monibeong-Camp-via-inland-route.gpx" title="Download White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via inland route GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-10a-White-Sands-Camp-to-Monibeong-Camp-via-inland-route.kml" title="Download White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via inland route KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 10b</td><br /> <td>White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via beach</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-10b-White-Sands-Camp-to-Monibeong-Camp-via-beach.gpx" title="Download White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via beach GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-10b-White-Sands-Camp-to-Monibeong-Camp-via-beach.kml" title="Download White Sands Camp to Monibeong Camp via beach KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 11</td><br /> <td>Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-11-Monibeong-Camp-to-Swan-Lake-Camp.gpx" title="Download Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-11-Monibeong-Camp-to-Swan-Lake-Camp.kml" title="Download Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 12a</td><br /> <td>Swan Lake Camp to Tarragal Camp via Mt Richmond</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-12a-Swan-Lake-Camp-to-Tarragal-Camp-via-Mt-Richmond.gpx" title="Download Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-12a-Swan-Lake-Camp-to-Tarragal-Camp-via-Mt-Richmond.kml" title="Download Monibeong Camp to Swan Lake Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 12b</td><br /> <td>Swan Lake Camp to The Springs Camp via beach</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-12b-Swan-Lake-Camp-to-The-Springs-Camp-via-beach.gpx" title="Download Swan Lake Camp to The Springs Camp via beach GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-12b-Swan-Lake-Camp-to-The-Springs-Camp-via-beach.kml" title="Download Swan Lake Camp to The Springs Camp via beach KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 13</td><br /> <td>Tarragal Camp to The Springs Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-13-Tarragal-Camp-to-The-Springs-Camp.gpx" title="Download Tarragal Camp to The Springs Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-13-Tarragal-Camp-to-The-Springs-Camp.kml" title="Download Tarragal Camp to The Springs Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 14</td><br /> <td>The Springs Camp to Trewalla Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-14-The-Springs-Camp-to-Trewalla-Camp.gpx" title="Download The Springs Camp to Trewalla Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-14-The-Springs-Camp-to-Trewalla-Camp.kml" title="Download The Springs Camp to Trewalla Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 15</td><br /> <td>Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-15-Trewalla-Camp-to-Mallee-Camp.gpx" title="Download Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-15-Trewalla-Camp-to-Mallee-Camp.kml" title="Download Trewalla Camp to Mallee Camp KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td nowrap>GSWW 16</td><br /> <td>Mallee Camp to Portland</td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-16-Mallee-Camp-to-Portland.gpx" title="Download Mallee Camp to Portland GPX file for handheld GPS unit">GPX file</a></td><br /> <td nowrap><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-16-Mallee-Camp-to-Portland.kml" title="Download Mallee Camp to Portland KML file for Google Earth">KML file</a></td><br /> </tr><br /> </table><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br />Or, download just the 16 hike-in campsites along the Great South West Walk:<br /><ul><br /> <li><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?gpx=GSWW-16-hike-in-campsites.gpx">GPX file</a></li><br /> <li><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/download.php?kml=GSWW-16-hike-in-campsites.kml">KML file</a></li><br /></ul><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><table><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br/><br/></b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="7"><b>Great South West Walk - eastern half</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mon</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Tue</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Wed</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Thu</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Fri</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sat</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sun</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>26/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>27/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>28/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>29/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>30/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>31/12/11</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>1/1/12</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mt Richmond to The Springs campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>The Springs campsite to Trewalla campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Trewalla campsite to Mallee campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mallee campsite to Portland</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Portland to Cubbys campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Cubbys campsite to Cobbo-boonee campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Cobbo-boonee campsite to Moleside</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Distance</td><br /> <td align="center">20.58km</td><br /> <td align="center">17.43km</td><br /> <td align="center">17.22km*</td><br /> <td align="center">23.47km**</td><br /> <td align="center">21.48km</td><br /> <td align="center">25.56km</td><br /> <td align="center">32.66km</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Start Time</td><br /> <td align="center">1.07pm</td><br /> <td align="center">8.37am</td><br /> <td align="center">8.16am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.30am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.43am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.52am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.36am</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">End Time</td><br /> <td align="center">6.37pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.29pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.02pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.04pm</td><br /> <td align="center">1.24pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.56pm</td><br /> <td align="center">4.38pm</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">4h02m</td><br /> <td align="center">3h40m</td><br /> <td align="center">4h00m</td><br /> <td align="center">4h39m</td><br /> <td align="center">4h10m</td><br /> <td align="center">5h03m</td><br /> <td align="center">6h25m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Stationary Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">1h25m</td><br /> <td align="center">2h12m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h46m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h59m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h29m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h59m</td><br /> <td align="center">2h32m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Average</td><br /> <td align="center">5.1km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">4.7km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">4.3km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.1km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.1km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.1km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Overall Average</td><br /> <td align="center">3.8km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.6km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.8km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.6km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.6km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Oodometer</td><br /> <td align="center">20.58km</td><br /> <td align="center">38.0km</td><br /> <td align="center">55.3km</td><br /> <td align="center">78.8km</td><br /> <td align="center">100.3km</td><br /> <td align="center">126.0km</td><br /> <td align="center">158.7km</td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><br /><small>* Due to the GPS unit being inside at the cafe at Cape Nelson, this figure is probably 1km too high<br />** This is to our motel in Portland, not the Portland trailhead. The following day we walked back from the motel to the trailhead.<br />These three things are not corrected for in the above mileage figures. The Google Map and GPS file downloads are corrected.</small><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><h2>More info:</h2><ul><br /><li>Official Great South West Walk website: <a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/">www.greatsouthwestwalk.com</a></li><br /><li>Great South West Walk Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-South-West-Walk-Portland-Vic/192714714081671">www.facebook.com/pages/Great-South-West-Walk-Portland-Vic/192714714081671</a></li><br /><li>The guys at <a href="https://www.southwestadventures.com.au/">www.southwestadventures.com.au</a> can be booked for a transfer shuttle if need be</li><br /></ul><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-53091742818675379552011-08-29T19:06:00.007+09:302020-05-27T09:32:49.358+09:30Hiking Mt Sonder - the proper true summit<div class="intro_para">When I first did the Mt Sonder hike back in August last year, when I reached the top I discovered - much to my horror - that the trail lead to a false summit, not the true summit of Mt Sonder. Initially I figured it was for safety reasons, but later people replied to my blog, informing me that the Arrernte People had special beleifs about Rwetyepme (Mt Sonder), and that was the reason the trail did not reach the true summit.</div><br />
<div class="loc_date">Mount Sonder (proper), West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory</div><br />
<br />
At Glen Helen a few days ago, having traipsed across the countryside for three days in search of Mt Zeil, I had flicked through a collection of newspaper articles in the cafe. I stumbled upon one from the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/news/northern-territory/its-a-tall-story/2005/10/19/1129401309513.html">Sydney Morning Herald</a> from back in 2005, when a reporter did a story on the Mt Sonder hike. He had fished around, suspicious of the story of the false summit trail. Interviewing a park ranger, James Pratt, "he shattered one illusion when he explained that the supposed Aboriginal legend was 'just an urban myth'. ... He also confirmed that the official summit was not the real one. 'It was a decision made for safety.'" They held beliefs of the mountain, just not the one that is being thrown around, and it was not the reason the trail did not go to the true summit. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtSonderProper#5646214679243058770"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxB_GEUTo7hxBcwGr0wyP_2CflENjukpNpXo3aBGScLugAL7lMQxnQKs7HDnJyfGt459JiC_xknfEPo9l7JEDnMjDHbanXYZXtc-xpugAGU6cvMxTTD4BC495rHWKfBTC3X5TqH3MAtqB/s800/Panorama_6690-91.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> <br />
<br />
Enough said, I was convinced. We were off to reach the real summit. The newspaper article referenced a Norwegian professor, Petter E. Bjorstad (<a href="#petter_e_bjorstad">referenced below</a>). He had climbed many mountains around the world, including the true summit of Mt Sonder. He had some <a href="https://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/1000mtn/sonder.html">track notes</a>, we were set. <br />
<br />
At the campsite on the dry sandy banks of Redbank Gorge the night before our hike, we met Jas and Kev, from Parkham in Melbourne. They had just completed 19 days on the Larapinta Trail, hiking out from Alice Springs. The wildfires had chased them down the trail. They had one final section left, the climb up to Mt Sonder. They were keen to reach the true summit. We shared our track notes. <br />
<br />
The next we saw of them was when Graham and myself reached the false summit early the following morning. Off on the distant true summit, we could see a couple of silhouetted people wandering around the summit cairn. They were only about 750m away across the rocky cliff-sided saddle, but we could hear their voices. They had risen at 4.30am, so they could enjoy watching the sunrise from the false summit. We didn't care for the early rise and hike in darkness. <br />
<br />
Reaching the false summit is easy, a 7.5km track along the rocky spur from Redbank Gorge. Reaching the true summit was another matter. We headed back along the track, down from the false summit cairn, then headed north to the cliff edge. From here we surveyed possible routes down. The Norwegian professor included a <a href="https://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/Australia/639_mod.jpg">photo of possible routes</a> down from the false summit peak to the saddle below. From there crossing the saddle and then climbing the true summit was straight-forward. We were watching Jas and Kev return down the true summit. We thought we might wait it out for their advice since they had just made the crossing. We shouted out our hellos, and they soon shouted back their directions. <br />
<br />
We climbed down the steep slope along the rock strata, heading for the top of the steep gully. Halfway down, we met up. They looked maggotted. Truly. The steep gully was tough work, returning later to make the ascent was even tougher. This was the hardest bit of the climb from the false to the true summit. Having reached the bottom, we contoured around to a small saddle at the base of the true summit, then climbed the rock 'staircase' to the true summit. <br />
<br />
Jas was right, it was glorious and well worth the hike over. There was more to see, and unlike the view from the false summit, no thumping big mountain in the way of a 360 degree panorama. We could see wide wildfires burning on the western horizon. <br />
<br />
We did a few laps of the stone cairn searching out the illusive logbook. We kept up the search, there must be one. Then I caught a glint of plastic, there, buried deep from the top of the cairn was the logbook. Placed there in 1965, in quite a rustic steel container, we found lots of pieces of paper, no book as such. <br />
<br />
Leafing through the papers, I was surprised to find none from this century. That's right, not this <i>decade</i>, but this <i>century</i>. Not for a moment do I think we were the first people up there in 12 years, I mean Jas and Kev had been here moments before. I think it was more a matter that the logbook had been lost deep in the cairn for a number of years. I really was eager to find it, you see, I knew there had to be one lurking around somewhere. The Larapinta Trail was opened in 2002, which would have included that trail up to the false summit. The number of people reaching the true summit probably would have dropped around then, but the sheer number of people who reached the true summit in the '90s was proof enough that many people would have been up here since then. <br />
<br />
<div class="nobrtable"><br />
<ul><a name="petter_e_bjorstad"></a>References:
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/news/northern-territory/its-a-tall-story/2005/10/19/1129401309513.html">It's a Tall Story, Sydney Morning Herald, 22/10/05</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/1000mtn/sonder.html">Petter E. Bjorstad's track notes</a></li>
</ul><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<ul class="questions"><li>Have you hiked up to the true summit of Mt Sonder? What route did you take? <br />
<li>Did you find and sign the logbook? <br />
</ul>
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5646214607164153185%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
<iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit_best_route_only.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit_best_route_only.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit_best_route_only.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit_best_route_only.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><br />
<br />
<b>View full hike from Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder South (the false summit) and onto the true Mt Sonder summit</b> in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit.gpx">Download full hike in GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_27_Mt_Sonder_proper_true_summit.kml">Download full hike in KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table>
<h2>TRACKNOTES - Mt Sonder</h2>
Proceed back down the marked trail some 180 metres from the cairn on the false summit. The ridge is wider, the track having just come off from steep north-south cliffs facing the east. There is a number of small paths leading off the north (GR528901), some no doubt in part to take in the view of Mt Sonder proper.
A number of rock stratems lead downwards to the west. 50m to the east there are three pines on the east facing cliff edge mentioned before. Study Petter E. Bjorstad's <a href="https://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/Australia/639_mod.jpg">photo of possible routes</a>, taken from the true Mt Sonder, looking back to the false Mt Sonder summit. It is easy enough to use his red marked route, you can ignore the blue rope-using route. Walking down the steep strata, proceed down the steep gully. Careful, there are lots of loose rocks on the slippery surface, plenty of spinifix and other hostile bushes you will need to be friendly with (they don't really want to be your friends.) The grid reference around this steep gully is 529 903.
From the base of the steep gully, contour around to a small saddle at grid reference 533 904. From here, climb the rocky 'staircase' to the true summit. Return by the same path, being careful to pick out the right steep gully to climb.
It took us 2.5 hours to hike from the false summit to the true summit, and return again. It is 2km return.
I wouldn't tackle this section unless it is in the morning, without a breeze it can be insatiably hot climbing the steep gully with the northern sun.
<div class="nobrtable">
<table><tr>
<td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br />
<br />
</b></td>
<td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="1"><b>Mt Sonder (proper)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>27/8/2011</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder South, then onto Mt Sonder proper</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Distance</td>
<td align="center">17.3km</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Start Time</td>
<td align="center">6.30am</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">End Time</td>
<td align="center">12.50pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Moving Duration</td>
<td align="center">4h26m</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td>
<td align="center">1h47m</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Moving Average</td>
<td align="center">3.9km/h</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Overall Average</td>
<td align="center">2.8km/h</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-69579930742222665802011-08-27T19:06:00.006+09:302020-05-27T09:32:51.283+09:30Hiking Mt Giles, Ormiston Pound<div class="intro_para">With four sets of track notes we were almost assured of success in our plan to climb Mt Giles. The NT's third highest mountain, and as Wild magazine puts it, "For such a prominent peak, with relatively easy access and the best views in the MacDonnell Ranges, it was surprisingly little visited. Not being on the Larapinta Trail had, to a great degree, kept its secrets hidden."</div>
<br /><div class="loc_date">Mount Giles, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Over the last two summers it has rained an awful lot out here, unusually so. The rains here come in summer, not winter, the rain from the left-over tropical cyclones from the north. Ormiston Gorge was flooded, people wanting to walk the 7km/3hr Pound Circuit would be rewarded with a very cool swim through the gorge. I gather not many people took that reward, opting to hike in halfway along the circuit, into the pound, then return the same way.
<br />
<br />We hiked in halfway, and as the track veered north-east we veered off the track. With Mt Giles in our sights, we trekked across the pound floor, which was by no means flat or easy going. We hopped over rocks, between spinifex and around other more deadly bushes, seeking shade under the occasional tree or, if we were super lucky, stand of trees in a dry creek bed.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtGiles#5646211228795770770"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8AE6chSfdYDFvztgqCOV6bi3aoD85j8O0LjIGeR_6A5UB9MDUlcIHebxRYC7-a2k3GDLrogwv9xaDMVF_zZ-dr_SfZNaOnJ-tJsgUZUo8lAON0mosB58pfnz8kxn2_mzBZMuzHsR52AI/s800/IMG_6628.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>
<br />
<br />Approaching the main Ormiston Creek, which we had not seen up close since our shortcut across the pound, I saw what looked like shimmering water. The mind plays funny tricks, I thought. I gather Graham may have been thinking similar things, neither of us confident enough of our own eyes to make a call about water. Just as I convinced myself the appearance of water was caused by a strange mix of shiny rocks and grasses, a bird landed on this strange surface and caused ripples across it. Strange rocks indeed. We couldn't believe it, none of the track notes we were armed with mentioned water in the creek, quite the opposite, they all mentioned the lack of it. Making a bee-line for the water, we were rewarded with what seemed like endless pools of water. We wouldn't need to search out the illusive springs on the side of Mt Giles, or any lingering pools elsewhere.
<br />
<br />Following the creek upstream we got wet, muddy boots, most unexpected. We even caught sight of some fresh foot prints, there were others out here recently. Having chosen a nice campsite out of the hot sun, on the sandy banks of Ormiston Creek, aroundabouts where the national park people recommended you camp (there are no formal campsites out here in the pound), it seems we had lucked on the exact spot specified in the main track notes we were using. With a couple of nice pools of water, we relaxed in the late afternoon shade and contemplated the madness of climbing Mt Giles which dominated the view before us.
<br />
<br />The following day, somewhat before sunrise and when it was still cold, we headed off carefully following a set of track notes.We sidled up to the mountain base, and sure enough the spur ahead of us looked like a good option. Up we went, it was very steep to start with, almost scarily so, but the hardest bit was this first section, each higher section was gradually flatter until we eventually came upon the false summit, large and rounded. Now Mt Giles and it's distinct tin-on-a-pole cairn visible in the distance, we strolled along the ridges and saddles and made the final climb up to the summit.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtGiles#5646211386160308642"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UnhBtp-qSvTEDF5WjbzsqYlOiL-at6jfaRLj2qjvtHJ3qFpyC_IHhm88WHTTHp0SW8fpybqNggjPc4gI-Znl7oWZZlmdtK_szR4MgTlgRsqpPm7B-mZlZOBqMEp5SBeCPCokkRuEOWi2/s800/IMG_6670.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtGiles#5646211445710775762"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VrvmjVZhFTE/TltfZRxV5dI/AAAAAAAALE0/rlZmP7FksQE/s400/IMG_6682.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>From the top we looked around in every direction, generally ignorant of what we were seeing. I spotted a few landmarks, Mt Sonder, that so illusive Mt Zeil and Gooses Bluff in the distance. Scanning through the logbook, we were only the sixth party up here this season (there seemed to be seven to 11 parties each year), we noticed the many references to the south spur route up. People had been making some pretty quick times up. We had followed John & Lyn Daly's notes, from Take a Walk in Northern Territory's National Parks (<a href="#take_a_walk">referenced below</a>), which could very well be the same route described by John Chapman in his <i>Bushwalking in Australia</i> book, although scanning through the book back in Alice we could find no mention of Mt Giles. A Wild magazine article from last year mentioned a quick, direct route up, but was lacking any good directions to find the base of the spur. Up here though, it seemed all to obvious, so down we went. Indeed it was quick and direct, the grade was steady and unrelenting, but easy enough. Both spurs offer numerous routes forward of each step, but the route up involved quite a few grade changes, flat spots, a false summit and much ridge walking. This southern spur was direct, constant and only 1.45km long (the route up was 2.2km). The grid reference for the base of the quick spur is 793827, for the longer spur 786827, check out the track notes on the topo map below.
<br />
<br />Back at our previous night's campsite at lunchtime, Graham didn't take much persuading to convince him of the benefits of laying low in the cool shade under one of the big gums lining Ormiston Creek. So instead of hiking out, or over to Bowmans Gap in the other corner of the pound, we sat and read the afternoon away.
<br />
<br />The third day, once again setting off super early, we made excellent time in the cool of the morning and were soon back at the car.
<br />
<br />The sun had been bloody hot, the shade refreshingly cool, sometime positively cold. Hiking in the mornings had been a good thing. It seems only too evident now that last time I was here hiking the Larapinta Trail, I had benefited from the two months in the tropics of the Kimberley and the Top End to acclimatize to the heat. Dropped in here from the cool south's winter seemed to make the afternoon heat just a little too much.
<br />
<br /><div class="nobrtable">
<br /><ul><a name="take_a_walk"></a><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/wild_1192.jpg"><img src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/wild_1192.jpg" align="right" width="150"></a>References:
<br /><li><a href="https://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/walks/pdf/overnight_walks_ormiston.pdf">Overnight Walks or Ormiston Gorge</a>, official national parks leaflet</li>
<br /><li><i>Take a Walk in Northern Territory's National Parks</i>, by John & Lyn Daly, Take a Walk Publications 2006, ISBN 0 9577931 5 4. Walk article titled <i>Ormiston Pound, Mt Giles, Bowmans Gap Circuit</i>, pages 224-228</li>
<br /><li>Wild magazine, issue 119 September-October 2010, pages 24-28, article by Michael Giaometti from a hike on 25/7/07</li>
<br /><li><a href="https://bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Larapinta.htm">Mt Giles deviation in Ormiston Pound</a>, a subsection of the page titled <i>The Larapinta Trail, Central Australia</i> by Roger Caffin</li>
<br /></ul>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /><ul class="questions">
<br /> <li>Have you hiked up Mt Giles? If so, which route did you take?
<br /> <li>Where did you find water?
<br /></ul>
<br />
<br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5646211136509239841%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
<br />
<br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_26_Mt_Giles.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_26_Mt_Giles.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_26_Mt_Giles.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_26_Mt_Giles.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtGiles#5646212215823948930"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SzwFEgFSg4U/TltgGGqoXII/AAAAAAAALE4/WtjAT29CW9g/s800/mt_giles_map_to_summit.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>
<br />
<br /><h2>TRACKNOTES - Mt Giles</h2>
<br />
<br />The route we took going to the basecamp follows the creek more, this is good for afternoon walking, and to find water.
<br />
<br />The route we took returning from basecamp to the carpark is more direct, it is better for the cooler morning as it involves more cross country ups and downs, and less shade.
<br />
<br />The down route from Mt Giles to the base is probably the better of the two spur routes to summit the mountain.
<br />
<br /><div class="nobrtable">
<br /><table>
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Day 1
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Ormiston Gorge carpark to Mt Giles basecamp
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;">
<br />Waypoint
<br /></td>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;">
<br />Comment
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />1 - Ormiston Gorge carpark
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />11.20am
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />2
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR709844<br>
<br />12.30pm/4.3km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />3
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR722844<br>
<br />Break (tree)<br>
<br />12.55pm/5.49km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />4
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR746843<br>
<br />lunch (trees)<br>
<br />2pm/2.30pm/8.12km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />5
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR758842<br>
<br />Ormiston Creek (water pools)<br>
<br />3pm/9.55km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />6
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR765831<br>
<br />3.40pm/11.01km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />7
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR772822<br>
<br />4.17pm/12.38km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />8 - Campsite
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />National Park recommended campsite<br>
<br />Ormiston Creek<br>
<br />4.30pm/12.65km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Day 2
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Mt Giles basecamp to Mt Giles summit and return
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />8 - Campsite
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Leave 6.55am with daypack
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D2-2
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR783825<br>
<br />7.18am/1.29km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D2-3
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Base of mountain and spur<br>
<br />GR786827<br>
<br />7.30am/1.72km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />Mt Giles summit
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />9.30am/3.9km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />Mt Giles summit
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Return downhill, leave 10am
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D2-4
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Base of direct south spur<br>
<br />GR793827<br>
<br />11.20am/5.34km<br>
<br />Plenty of suitable campsites here in creek
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />8 - Campsite
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Arrive 12.20pm/7.86km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Day 3
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br /><tr>
<br /><td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2">
<br />Mt Giles basecamp to Ormiston Gorge carpark
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />8 - Campsite
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />Leave at 7.15am
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D3-1
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR765829<br>
<br />Fence<br>
<br />7.45am/1.41km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D3-2
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR757836<br>
<br />8.05am/2.58km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />D3-3
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />GR747843<br>
<br />8.30am/4km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />2
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />9.15am/7.8km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /><tr>
<br /><td>
<br />Ormiston Gorge carpark
<br /></td>
<br /><td>
<br />10.50am/12.07km
<br /></td>
<br /></tr>
<br />
<br /></table>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /><div class="nobrtable">
<br /><table>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>GPS Stats<br/><br/></b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Mt Giles</b></td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Wednesday</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Thursday</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Friday</b></td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>24/8/2010</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>25/8/2010</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>26/8/2010</b></td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Ormiston Gorge carpark to Mt Giles basecamp</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mt Giles basecamp to Mt Giles summit and return</b></td>
<br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mt Giles basecamp to Ormiston Gorge carpark</b></td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Distance</td>
<br /> <td align="center">12.65km</td>
<br /> <td align="center">7.86km</td>
<br /> <td align="center">12.07km</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Start Time</td>
<br /> <td align="center">9.07am</td>
<br /> <td align="center">6.46am</td>
<br /> <td align="center">7.13am</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">End Time</td>
<br /> <td align="center">4.32pm</td>
<br /> <td align="center">12.23pm</td>
<br /> <td align="center">10.53pm</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td>
<br /> <td align="center">3h15m</td>
<br /> <td align="center">3h14m</td>
<br /> <td align="center">2h51m</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td>
<br /> <td align="center">2h00m</td>
<br /> <td align="center">2h21m</td>
<br /> <td align="center">44m</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Moving Average</td>
<br /> <td align="center">3.9km/h</td>
<br /> <td align="center">2.4km/h</td>
<br /> <td align="center">4.2km/h</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Overall Average</td>
<br /> <td align="center">2.4km/h</td>
<br /> <td align="center">1.4km/h</td>
<br /> <td align="center">3.4km/h</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /> <tr>
<br /> <td align="left">Oodometer</td>
<br /> <td align="center">12.65km</td>
<br /> <td align="center">20.5km</td>
<br /> <td align="center">32.6km</td>
<br /> </tr>
<br /></table>
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-55653411152830906142011-08-24T19:03:00.004+09:302020-05-27T09:32:52.573+09:30Hiking Mt Zeil, one of the State 8<div class="intro_para">The wildfires were burning on the Larapinta, even the reopened sections of burnt out, smoke smelling bush didn't seem too attractive to hike. We opted for Plan B. Hike Mt Zeil, maybe Mt Giles and then some more.</div><br />
<div class="loc_date">Mt Zeil, MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Northern Territory</div><br />
<div style="font-size:1.5em; width:100%; padding:35px 75px 35px 35px; font-weight:bold; line-height:2em; background-color:#eeeeee; border-top:3px solid #fe6602; border-bottom:3px solid #fe6602;">This blog post is about an unsuccessful climb of Mt Zeil.<br />
I've since made a successful climb,<br />
<a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/mt-zeil-nts-highest-peak-state-8.html">refer to this July 2012 post</a>.<br />
</div><br />
I have planned to tackle Mt Zeil for a couple of years now. It's in the State 8 - NT's highest peak, the State 8 being the highest peak in each of Australia's states and territories. I was up here this time last year, but I was all lonesome, and that's no condition to set out off the track for a couple of days. <br />
<br />
With Graham beside me, Mt Zeil presented a very viable option. Most people used to access the mount from the northern side, driving a 4WD - or a few brave souls 2WDs - along the Tanami Track, then along some isolated bore access roads until they or their cars could drive no more. From here it was a short 6km up to the summit. That route is no longer an option, that pastoral station on that northern side has closed that access route off. <br />
<br />
I hadn't yet contacted the ranger here at West MacDonnell National Park, he is widely held to have the access info from Redbank Gorge, I had planned to do that later this year in preparation for a tackling of the summit next year. Plan B was enacted just a day before we left for Alice, so there was no time to contact him then. I had already thought a walk in from Redbank Gorge seemed a much better option than hiring a 4WD and tackling the Tanami Track and bore roads. <br />
<br />
We parked our hire car in Redbank Gorge, possibly the world's smallest car, and our packs full of weighty water, we set off through the gorge. Our base load was 11kg each, but adding 9 litre of water too that hefted that weight up somewhat. <br />
<br />
Redbank Gorge posed our first problem. It is a narrow gorge, full of water. So we hiked up and around it, quite an adventure in itself, all to avoid getting a bit wet. Next time I thought - why would there be a next time - we should float our packs through and swim for our dear little lives. Surely a refreshing swim in water that never sees the sun, perhaps three or four degrees, would be pleasant enough compared to hiking up a scandalously steep gorge? <br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MountZeil#5646209041716308514"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnztaP7iPK-AxRL_B9CHzFksimpnZNbT2yj_UgsVyY8Se1qAGi1OYV4J2IBEf4ZlDuz-RM0Dzdlw5QnUw23Pz6vlkZSph9yp4CU3mdVlqEjC3wwbd0TvOVhj32SLxyS7D7FWmggp9Gli4r/s800/IMG_6698%252520route%252520to%252520Mt%252520Zeil%252520as%252520seen%252520from%252520Mt%252520Sonder.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> <br />
<br />
Safely through over to the other side, I surveyed the scene before us. Mt Zeil lay well off to the north-west horizon, much as expected, and a series of creek fed into Redbank Gorge. It was crucial we set off up the right one, but really that was a matter of choosing the one that seemed the biggest (it really wasn't that hard.) <br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MountZeil#5646208648023455474"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wQ1tmVzgEPQ/Tltc2bktNvI/AAAAAAAALDY/C6Tn_AMqT8M/s400/IMG_6561.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Heading upstream, we experimented a little with walking along the grassy banks, which sounds nice enough was seemed fraught with danger. Rock hopping along, we set off to our major creek junction at GR468942. Ahead of me I soon spied what seemed to be water, was it a cesspool full of half dead-fish? The closer I got the less likely that seemed, we were soon upon an expensive pool of lovely clean water. Or course we would have to share it with those ducks, but I think we could deal with that. Walking further upstream towards that before mentioned junction, we came across a few small pools, and another large pool. <br />
<br />
These all abruptly ended, perhaps they are semi-permanent, but all much too close to Redbank Gorge to be of that much water resource use for our hike. The creek became wide and flat, much like the super creeks of our homestate Flinders Ranges. <br />
<br />
Once we reached the important creek junction, we began following the north-western creek. The hills to the right looked more direct, and we were overcome with temptation to take a shortcut. The scrub was freshly burnt out, it seemed like a good idea at the time. It soon turned outright miserable, as we followed the landscape from one saddle to another, eventually emerging not that far where we would have passed on the longer creek-following route. Lesson learnt, we stuck to our creeks from there on. <br />
<br />
It soon became all too apparent though, this was a dismal plan. Our speed was slow, the terrain tough. I'm not sure at our current rate we would make it around to the northern side of Mt Zeil, the best place to attempt a summit from. Enraged with summit fever, or just the sheer stupidity of many "best-laid-plans", a shorter and more viable day's hike to the south-eastern base of the mountain seemed like a viable idea. The summit was still achievable, or so I convinced myself while carefully looking over the broad empty contours of the 1:250 000 topographic map. For you novices back at home, a 1:250 000 doesn't show much, indeed for the most part it allows the cartographer to do some very sloppy work. In an afternoon they could map out much of Australia with a few squiggly lines here and there for the biggest of the mountains. I pity those cartographers assigned to drawing up the 1:50 000 topo maps, they're going to spend the rest of their lives steeped in detail of every hill from here to, well, not Timbuktu but somewhere equally remote in this vast country of ours. <br />
<br />
We soon broke out of the creeks, the terrain was flatter and broader now, so we set our sights on distance features and made straight lines to them - thankfully, or we would never have got that bloody far from Redbank Gorge. <br />
<br />
The sun setting on our hard day's hike, we set up camp in our dry creekbed. Unbeknownst to us, we were camped within a couple hundred metres of the Tropic of Capricorn, who could imagine that just over that imaginary line lay the glorious wet tropics of our country's north. I guess it doesn't really work like that, and I already knew that. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MountZeil#5646208917937508434"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L0_3WgzKAig/TltdGJFO0FI/AAAAAAAALDk/8Idy9tVNMzQ/s400/IMG_6580.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>The followed day we set off on our mad plan, neither of us any the wiser to the madness of it all. Atop the first saddle I was little dismayed to see a few more hills than I expected. On we went, eventually realising our plan was right royally stuffed. The summit cairn of Mt Zeil was clearly visible, but oh so long away. We had to give up, we had three days water with us on this trip, scantly that, stretching it out to cover four days in this heat was just bloody stupid. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MountZeil#5646209011763024978"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GXZh5GQ_Ru0/TltdLmm-lFI/AAAAAAAALDs/64E2LxgJqmE/s800/IMG_6588.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> <br />
<br />
A little bit inside me was relieved, managing our water stocks was somewhat stressful anyway. Back at camp we threw everything back in our packs, and set off in the direction of Redbank Gorge, out destination for tonight's campsite would be one of the two major waterholes we found this side of Redbank Gorge. <br />
<br />
Dodging enraged bulls and their fellow cattle, we headed back to our creek system, there would be no shortcuts this time. We discovered these cattle form their own little trails which look every bit like trails designed for people, most are strangely many kilometres long, slowing wandering along creek banks. <br />
<br />
We climbed over the fence back into the national park, safe from the crazy bulls, over a somewhat strangely placed chair aside the fence. We weren't the first people to cross here, that much was certain. <br />
<br />
That night we were much pleased to reach the first waterhole before sunset, setting up camp after refilling our water bottles. Nine litres each had just got us back here. Sitting back relaxing the local birds put on a show for us, dancing across the surface of the water catching insects, and a couple of willy wagtails doing some kind of foreplay with each other. <br />
<br />
Sitting under the cool verandah at Glen Helen Resort, just a few short kilometres drive away, sampling every cool drink we could lay our hands on, we pondered the madness that our scheme was. For one, I really did need to contact the park ranger's name I had been given for Mt Zeil info, there must be water out there somewhere. For one thing, those cattle need to drink something. Being well trained off-track hikers, driving into Glen Helen Resort we spied a small helicopter plying tourists for scenic flights, oh yes, here was another viable option of reaching Mt Zeil at some point in the future. We could charter it to drop us and a whole heap of water out on the northern base of the mountain, summit the mountain on the first day, and enjoy a pleasant day and half's walk back to Redbank Gorge. <br />
<br />
Well our reconnaissance to Mt Zeil involved some walking, alas, but many an off-track mountain requires more than one attempt. We are now set to tackle it again with sensible, realistic and achievable plans - a plan that is not the least bit mad. <br />
<br />
<ul class="questions"><li>Have you climbed Mt Zeil? Let us know how. <br />
<li>Have you swam through Redbank Gorge? If so, tell us some info, is it narrow? Too cold? How long? <br />
</ul><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5646208611399746097%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed> <iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_23_Mt_Zeil.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_23_Mt_Zeil.htm">full screen format</a><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_23_Mt_Zeil.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br />
<span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_08_23_Mt_Zeil.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr>
</table><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MountZeil#5646209508218187634"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IKcjrJCJPPs/TltdogDHL3I/AAAAAAAALD4/uSJeIyghNzs/s800/Mt_Zeil_from_Redbank_Gorge_map.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> <h2>TRACKNOTES - Mt Zeil</h2>The return route is the better of the two routes to follow, no bad shortcuts, follows creekbanks rather than creekbeds. <div class="nobrtable"><table width="100%"><tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;"> <br />
Waypoint <br />
</td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;"> <br />
Comment <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
Day 1 <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
Redbank Gorge carpark to Mt Zeil base <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
Redbank Gorge <br />
</td> <td> <br />
8.30am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
Halfway across above gorge <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR469914<br />
<br />
9.00am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
In Redbank Creek having crossed above gorge<br />
<br />
9.10am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-1 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
First waterhole<br />
<br />
GR469921<br />
<br />
9.50am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-2 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Second waterhole<br />
<br />
GR467935<br />
<br />
10.42am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-3 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Major river junction<br />
<br />
GR468942<br />
<br />
11.00am/5.58km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-4 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
First saddle on questionable shortcut<br />
<br />
12.00pm <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-5 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Lunch on creek<br />
<br />
GR448975<br />
<br />
12.45pm/10.2km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-6 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Open country<br />
<br />
GR428010<br />
<br />
2.45pm/15.25km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-7 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Cattle country<br />
<br />
GR409032<br />
<br />
3.40pm/18.37km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
1-8 - base campsite <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR394049<br />
<br />
4.45pm/21.4km<br />
<br />
5.5+2.5 hrs <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
Day 2 <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
Mt Zeil base, attempt on Mt Zeil, return to second waterhole <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
8 - campsite <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Leave 6.45am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-1 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR377067<br />
<br />
7.41am/3km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-2 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR371071<br />
<br />
8.07am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-3 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Turn around<br />
<br />
8.20am/4.14km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
8/2-4 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Back at base camp<br />
<br />
10.02am/8.85km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-5 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR423014<br />
<br />
12.00pm/14.24km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-6 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-7 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR744996<br />
<br />
1.21pm/17.77km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-8 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR441965<br />
<br />
3pm/21.3km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-9 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
4pm <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2-10 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
4.20pm <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2/2-11 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
GR467935<br />
<br />
Back at 2nd waterhole for campsite<br />
<br />
4.40pm/26.3km <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
Day 3 <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" colspan="2"> <br />
2nd Waterhole to Redbank Gorge <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
2/2-11 <br />
</td> <td> <br />
Leave campsite at 7.25am <br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <br />
Redbank Gorge carpark <br />
</td> <td> <br />
9.05am/3.97km <br />
</td> </tr>
</table></div><div class="nobrtable"><table><tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>GPS Stats<br />
<br />
</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Mt Zeil attempted summit</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sunday</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Monday</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Tuesday</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>21/8/2011</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>22/8/2011</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>23/8/2011</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Redbank Gorge carpark to Mt Zeil base</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mt Zeil base to summit attempt, return to 2nd waterhole</b></td> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>2nd waterhole to Redbank Gorge carpark</b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Distance</td> <td align="center">21.42km</td> <td align="center">26.35km</td> <td align="center">3.97km</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Start Time</td> <td align="center">8.03am</td> <td align="center">6.45am</td> <td align="center">7.19am</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">End Time</td> <td align="center">4.48pm</td> <td align="center">4.36pm</td> <td align="center">9.06pm</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td> <td align="center">5h38m</td> <td align="center">6h38m</td> <td align="center">1h24m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td> <td align="center">2h37m</td> <td align="center">3h05m</td> <td align="center">18m</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Moving Average</td> <td align="center">3.8km/h</td> <td align="center">4.0km/h</td> <td align="center">2.8km/h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Overall Average</td> <td align="center">2.6km/h</td> <td align="center">2.7km/h</td> <td align="center">2.3km/h</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="left">Oodometer</td> <td align="center">21.5km</td> <td align="center">47.8km</td> <td align="center">51.8km</td> </tr>
</table></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-75059771316289377942011-07-17T20:44:00.013+09:302020-05-27T09:32:53.997+09:30Unfinished Business<div class="intro_para">We had unfinished business with Mt Aleck, an <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2009/10/kmclub-kilometre-club.html">attempt to summit it in 2009</a> had failed.</div><br /><div class="loc_date">Mt Aleck, Elders Range, Flinders Ranges</div><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250159733996546"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JNi83rv_3ro/TiKqsJ-H_AI/AAAAAAAALAg/Yjetur61hng/s400/IMG_6509.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Back in 2009, it was a hot October day, over 30 degrees. Today it was cool, sunny winter’s day. Ideal hiking weather.<br /><br />Back in 2009, we undertook the hike as a day hike. Leaving the car at 7.30am, we gave up on summiting around 1pm, realising we would run out of time. Today we set out from an elevation of 645 metres, yesterday afternoon we hiked up from 385 metres where the car was to our campsite at 645 metres – with plenty of time allocated to do so. Today we set out at 7.30am from our campsite, we summitted by 10.20am in the cool of the day. As the weather warmed we returned to the car, back by 3.15pm.<br /><br />Back in 2009, we ran very short on water. This time we took extra water and left it under a tree on the flats, there as a contingency for camping a second night.<br /><br />Back in 2009 we used a <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2009/Wild_article_Jul-Sep_2008_p68-69.pdf">Wild article</a> as a route plan. This time we used that as a broad guideline, and interpreting the contours on the topographic map made our own route plan, shorter and easier.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250281365250018"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N-AUXErKMwU/TiKqzPFRn-I/AAAAAAAALAs/3YVrf1hn1LA/s800/IMG_6533-35_Panorama%252520path.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />It’s arguable that 2009 was a reconnaissance trip for today’s hike, what we learned from that we put into a carefully calculated plan with a number of contingencies. We didn’t need to use any of the contingencies, the excellent weather lent itself to pulling the plan off within the allocated timeframes.<br /><br />By continuing due west from the Umberutna ruins rather than skirting around to the north, we saved some distance in exchange for a short, steep - but quite manageable - climb. This led to a valley in which we selected the best creek to climb from, south of the first saddle. Back in 2009 we had gone up a very steep creek to the north of the first saddle. It had been tough climbing, there couldn’t have been a greater contrast with the creek we went up this time.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250020636622962"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DFhiih3yOo8/TiKqkDyugHI/AAAAAAAALAQ/a5nj0ILWlVM/s800/IMG_6476.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; widthL 695px;" /></a><br /><br />We had left Adelaide early Friday morning. Our afternoon plan was to climb that 260 metres above the plains to our chosen campsite. It was cool and windy. In Hawker it had been cold, I feared we would have a miserable night at such an elevation, but we had a fire on the sheltered side of the hill. We could have camped higher, on the first saddle, but it would have been very tough climbing up there each carrying out pack with a tent, sleeping bag and food. Light as they were – around 15kg - it would have been tough. Our campsite had a stunning setting. Behind us lay the sawtooth escarpment cliffs of the Elder Range, before us the valleys between the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound. We were treated to a spectacular sunset, and an equally spectacular sunrise the following morning, albeit after a very cold night.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250070186834258"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YC_HSajrFDs/TiKqm8YauVI/AAAAAAAALAU/ZbfyYqoMRr4/s800/IMG_6495-96_Panorama.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Early the following morning, with the whole day before us, we started the steep climb, following an escarpment cliff, to the first saddle. In only 20 minutes we were on the saddle, this route was so much quicker than our route of 2009. From here, we climbed and descended each ridge along the sawtooth escarpment, sticking closely to the escarpment edge. We had learned only too well back in 2009 that it was much easier to stick to the open rocky escarpment edge, rising up and down the sawtooth profile, than to try the flatter route contouring around each peak. The vegetation makes it slow going, the spinifex made it quite unpleasant. The vegetation was considerably denser this time compared to 2009, since then there had been two wet summers. Last time there was very little shade on the ridges, this time there was plenty provided by the two to three metre shrubs.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250101749824242"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZfHHnx8dpKA/TiKqox9nuvI/AAAAAAAALAY/eJI2_bqHa7w/s400/IMG_6503.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>By the time we reached the third saddle, we had spotted a cairn looking structure atop what might be the summit of Mt Aleck. It seemed impossible that the summit was that close. It was a little askew, so we weren't certain it was a summit cairn. However after another tough climb, we could see the unmistakable cairn ahead, and it was an easy to matter to close off that last distance. The cairn was indeed an interesting one, carefully perched atop the highest point of the mountain.<br /><br />Leafing through the summit logbook, we were only the second group on the summit this year (2011). The previous year, 2010, saw no visitors, and 2009 just one. Yes, there was a pencil in the logbook container.<br /><br />Our hike times had been perfect to the plan. There were a couple of sections along the sawtooth ridge that were particularly tough, dense vegetation with no escarpment route. We tried one shortcut, but it was woefully time consuming.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/MtAleck#5630250241104811106"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDT_bLlK442XAghi5SEklqut7HuLX9d-IX5ryNbe09dX4GGercLK2mOAsjtZ6GDAbQ9AGbZGQumSDEomMqYXgPyhN4PH2qyM9ZzRhj_6XqxNJXFQnwxCJUt-2qnfJwkvD1nvwb93H0Zym/s400/IMG_6525.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>We retraced our steps back to the campsite. Even though we summitted by 11am, it was quickly getting warm. Yesterday had been a cloudy day, with strong wind and a few drops of rain. Today had been glorious, clear skies and warm sun, a thankful relief from the winds of the previous day and the cold night. From our campsite we descended back down the steep line to a saddle, down a steep creek onto the flats to collect our water drop. We walked back to Umberutna ruins, and along the Heysen Trail to the car, and on to the pub at Hawker for a celebratory beer and meal.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1st August: Some hikers have since told me of an easier route. Proceed up either of the scree chutes close to the summit. We debated doing this, but we never got close enough to the bottom of the chute to see how it started. It's steep, but quick.</span><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5630249476600355473%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck.htm">full screen format</a></td></tr><tr><td><span class="kml_download"><b>Track as displayed in map above:</b><br />• <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><br /><span class="kml_download">• <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck.kml">Download KML file</a></span><br /><span class="kml_download"><b>Track consolidated into best route:</b><br />• <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck_consolidated.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><br /><span class="kml_download">• <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck_consolidated.kml">Download KML file</a></span><br /><span class="kml_explain">Use the GPX file as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_explain">Use the KML file to view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="kml_download"><b>Download route marked on topo map, including times:</b> <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_15_Mt_Aleck_track_maps.pdf">PDF map</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br />* The stats for the second day are divided into the ascent and descent.<br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><table><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br/><br/></b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Mt Aleck</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Friday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>15/7/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>16/7/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>16/7/2011</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Moralana Scenic Drive up to campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>campsite up to Mt Aleck summit</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Mt Aleck summit down to Moralana Scenic Drive</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Start Elevation</td><br /> <td align="center">385m</td><br /> <td align="center">645m</td><br /> <td align="center">1095m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">End Elevation</td><br /> <td align="center">645m</td><br /> <td align="center">1095m</td><br /> <td align="center">385m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Distance</td><br /> <td align="center">7.45km</td><br /> <td align="center">2.9km</td><br /> <td align="center">10.49km</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Start Time</td><br /> <td align="center">12.25pm</td><br /> <td align="center">7.30am</td><br /> <td align="center">10.50am</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">End Time</td><br /> <td align="center">3.15pm</td><br /> <td align="center">10.20am</td><br /> <td align="center">3.15pm</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">1h51m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h41m</td><br /> <td align="center">3h19m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">59m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h12m</td><br /> <td align="center">2h08m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Average</td><br /> <td align="center">4.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">1.7km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.1km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Overall Average</td><br /> <td align="center">2.6km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">1.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">1.9km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Oodometer</td><br /> <td align="center">7.45km</td><br /> <td align="center">10.4km</td><br /> <td align="center">20.8km</td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-10698620689994086812011-07-11T21:12:00.006+09:302020-05-27T09:32:58.972+09:30Three lil' hikes<div class="intro_para">Three lil' hikes - with steep hills - led by Simon</div><br /><br />Three recent afternoon hikes which Simon led, we enjoyed some sunshine and rain and exploring some of the hills, and, of course, some tough hills.<br /><br /><div class="loc_date">Sturt Gorge</div><br /><b>Sunday 19 June 2011</b><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_19_Sturt_Gorge.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_19_Sturt_Gorge.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_19_Sturt_Gorge.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_19_Sturt_Gorge.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><div class="loc_date">Cleland Conservation Park</div><br /><b>Sunday 26 June 2011</b><br />Found a tough new hill.<br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_26_Maesdays_Circuit.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_26_Maesdays_Circuit.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_26_Maesdays_Circuit.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_26_Maesdays_Circuit.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><div class="loc_date">Gandys Gully</div><br /><b>Saturday 11 July 2011</b><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_11_Gandys_Gully_extended.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_11_Gandys_Gully_extended.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_11_Gandys_Gully_extended.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_07_11_Gandys_Gully_extended.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-50933945371081461532011-06-13T20:38:00.007+09:302020-05-27T09:33:01.175+09:30Swimming strokes through the scrub<div class="intro_para">In the words of our leader Mark, we swam through the dense scrub of Wilpena Pound. Whatever your technique, breaststroke or freestyle, we pushed our way through the scrubby bushes from Rawnsley Bluff to Moonarie Gap, and out to Bridle Gap.</div><br /><div class="loc_date">Rawnsley Park Station and Wilpena Pound</div><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/RawnsleyBluffPointBonneyAndDickNobWilpenaPoundCircuit#5618029761765112002"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d-KFaumDYGM/TfdATX-U-MI/AAAAAAAAK8A/yEUxAL_SYyQ/s800/IMG_6358.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Mark from Canada remarked on how well marked the trail from Rawnsley Park Station up to Rawnsley Bluff was, a clear made trail with markers every 100 metres, noting the distance from each end of the trail. Well, was this typical of Australian trails, he asked. Mmm. Well, no. After lunching beside the old survey cairn at Rawnsley Bluff, we started those swimming strokes through the scrub, along the ridge to the north into Moonarie Gap. In the Gap we eventually decided to set down our packs and split up, four to go get water, two to continue to look for the illusive sandy campsites Mark, our leader, had seen on Google Earth, the same that I recalled seeing on a hike up to <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2010/04/illuka-peak-wilpena-pound.html">Iluka Peak</a> a couple of years ago. It took Dave and I just three minutes to find the first of the sandy areas and select a suitable campsite. The following day, hiking up to the base of Iluka Peak, we came across the actual site we both knew of, broad and sandy in the upper reaches of the the Gap.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/RawnsleyBluffPointBonneyAndDickNobWilpenaPoundCircuit#5618029708601073346"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPxZJmCgAys/TfdAQR7CHsI/AAAAAAAAK70/_LIXduuFDq8/s400/IMG_6347.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>This was another Adelaide Bushwalkers hike, a trip up to the Flinders. There were three groups, in my group there were six of us - Mark our leader, Trevor, Dave, Mark - recently from Canada, Ben and myself. A great group, sharing leading the way through the scrub bashing, and had no trouble walking together.<br /><br />Sunday morning we set out to the north, leaving our heavy packs behind, to try Point Bonney. I think we all knew we would did not have the necessary time to reach the summit and return, but hoped we would be able to at least achieve Iluka Peak. Defeated once before, <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2010/04/illuka-peak-wilpena-pound.html">back in 2009</a>, due to a rather half-hearted effort - we were awaiting updated road reports to travel further north to hike - and slow progress. We took a different approach route this time, last time we went west from the Pound rim, following a terrace up to climb over the hill between Moonarie Gap and Iluka Peak. This time we climbed but not as much, following the contour around the rim face into the next saddle. Approaching the saddle a strong wind picked up behind us, warm air being sucked in from the valley floor up to the summits of Iluka Peak and Point Bonney, a fierce cold wind forming dense foggy clouds above us. Although slowly the clouds retreated upwards, revealing the summit of Iluka Peak, we soon realised we had insufficient time to even achieve Iluka Peak. Instead we climbed the hill upon which we had given up our Iluka Peak ascent last time. Unnamed, we decided to name the peak Mark's Nob after our leader. There's a few nobs around the Pound. Although the cloud was slowly receding, we could see new cloud being constantly formed just east of the peaks.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/RawnsleyBluffPointBonneyAndDickNobWilpenaPoundCircuit#5618029840956555090"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z2CC3abgURw/TfdAX-_Cf1I/AAAAAAAAK8Q/FyOF6gc74QQ/s800/IMG_6390-92_Panorama.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Grabbing our packs from Moonarie Gap, we followed the creek down to Wilpena South Creek. Plenty of water around at the moment, slowly the creek opened up with less dense scrub and the occasional native pine tree. Out on the Pound floor, we strode out to meet up with the Heysen Trail near Bridle Gap, before ascending Dick Nob. We raced the sun down from the Pound rim along the Heysen Trail to Black Gap - the sun won btw, we came a close second. From here Davo was waiting, rather patiently it would seem, with his van to take us back to our campsite. Black Gap is on <a href="https://www.arkabastation.com/">Arkaba Station</a>, the station was sold a couple of years ago. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVj8tvd6Rv5GEQ1-9j7y2xZSiCbbeJe6fvLeA-o5s7DiR6aqYXhaxYNU13zMjNDUY2pERJdMJphJI7ZSF3YkNh5edlF4qDom_6CIBjx8VrkpFIBVLuNvaAx477VpO7ppMc8-zvF970W5B/s1600/87778_0__TN800x600.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVj8tvd6Rv5GEQ1-9j7y2xZSiCbbeJe6fvLeA-o5s7DiR6aqYXhaxYNU13zMjNDUY2pERJdMJphJI7ZSF3YkNh5edlF4qDom_6CIBjx8VrkpFIBVLuNvaAx477VpO7ppMc8-zvF970W5B/s400/87778_0__TN800x600.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618048528138469426" /></a>The new owners have set up a new venture, a luxury top-end resort with <a href="https://www.arkabawalkingsafaris.com/">luxury safari hikes</a>. There have been a number of changes with the new owner; camping is no longer permitted along Moralana Scenic Drive; the Heysen Trail's <a href="https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/forums/viewtopic.php?p=405">Red Range campsite</a> has been moved out of sight of the luxury hikers; bushwalkers are not permitted to camp anywhere on the Arkaba Station property, outside of the Red Range campsite on the Heysen Trail. I can't say I agree with Arkaba's stance. It is a pastoral lease rather than freehold, so they are stakeholder in the property - no doubt though a very important stakeholder. I think it is a loss to the community that camping is no longer permitted on the property. That said though, they are making a good innovative go of turning the property into a profitable one. Its history as a pastoral property has long since shifted to providing tourist accommodation, the new owners have taken that to luxury stance. Make no mistake, accommodation here is luxury with a matching pricetag, on a par with Kangaroo Island's <a href="https://www.southernoceanlodge.com.au/">Southern Ocean Lodge</a>. However, they are generous stakeholders in the <a href="https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/">Heysen Trail</a>, as quite a distance of it traverses their property from north of Hawker to Wilpena Pound.<br /><br />Next morning Davo dropped us back, and we set off to complete our circuit back to Rawnsley Park. Following the valley between Wilpena Pound and the much smaller Ulowdna Range we strode across the open plains, finishing our hike by mid-morning. A fantastic weekend.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5618027256225573089%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_11_ABW_Rawnsley_Bluff_and_Point_Bonney_and_Dick_Nob.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_11_ABW_Rawnsley_Bluff_and_Point_Bonney_and_Dick_Nob.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_11_ABW_Rawnsley_Bluff_and_Point_Bonney_and_Dick_Nob.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_06_11_ABW_Rawnsley_Bluff_and_Point_Bonney_and_Dick_Nob.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><table><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br/><br/></b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Wilpena Pound</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sunday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Monday</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>11/06/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>12/06/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>13/06/2011</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Rawnsley Station to Moonarie Gap</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Moonarie Gap to Black Gap</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Black Gap to Rawnsley Station</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Distance</td><br /> <td align="center">12.55km</td><br /> <td align="center">18.94km</td><br /> <td align="center">8.86km</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Start Time</td><br /> <td align="center">8.36am</td><br /> <td align="center">8.08am</td><br /> <td align="center">8.12am</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">End Time</td><br /> <td align="center">4.11pm</td><br /> <td align="center">5.39pm</td><br /> <td align="center">10.44am</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">4h10m</td><br /> <td align="center">6h11m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h57m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">3h26m</td><br /> <td align="center">3h24m</td><br /> <td align="center">35m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Average</td><br /> <td align="center">3.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.1km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">4.5km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Overall Average</td><br /> <td align="center">1.6km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">2.0km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.5km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Oodometer</td><br /> <td align="center">12.5km</td><br /> <td align="center">31.5km</td><br /> <td align="center">40.3km</td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-58713541506579999812011-05-11T20:31:00.048+09:302020-05-27T09:33:03.303+09:30Using a GPS on a Hike: A How-To Guide<div class="intro_para">GPS units have become quite affordable over the past few years. They can be a useful tool for hiking, but they can also be a little overwhelming. What are they useful for? Can they be useful along the Heysen Trail?</div><br /><div class="loc_date">An article prepared for the Friends of the Heysen Trail <a href="https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/trailwalker/">Trailwalker magazine</a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EMBsxLVGYwNYBDgnWYNsztkFq8k11r_Hh_vJLpX6yWsnJGsj4UnA1I50JMQcGve7d23qROjtLpVuc_da73xY-Vy5ErGAA11i3gcfCYlZaA-tWVUrAR1e3KYWJIXy5mObA5fQ8dVVsH3M/s1600/gps_units.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; border:0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EMBsxLVGYwNYBDgnWYNsztkFq8k11r_Hh_vJLpX6yWsnJGsj4UnA1I50JMQcGve7d23qROjtLpVuc_da73xY-Vy5ErGAA11i3gcfCYlZaA-tWVUrAR1e3KYWJIXy5mObA5fQ8dVVsH3M/s400/gps_units.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605448169630334050" /></a><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">Let’s Distinguish GPS Units</h2><br />There are hundreds of GPS units on the market, and not all will be useful to hikers. We need to make a distinction between the handheld portable receivers for hikers, and the myriad of GPS units for other uses such as car navigation. A GPS unit filled with road maps and driving directions isn’t going to be very useful when you are out hiking in the bush. GPS units suitable for hiking tend to be small, fit in the hand, contain a map screen, and be waterproof and durable.<br /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">What is the GPS System?</h2><br /><span style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px; width:300px; margin-left: 30px; font-size: 80%;"><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block; margin-top: 0;"><br /> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 145%; color: #000;">How does Trilateration work?</h3><br /> Imagine you are somewhere in Australia and you are TOTALLY lost - for whatever reason, you have absolutely no clue where you are. You find a friendly local and ask, “Where am I?” He says, “You are 1290 km from Adelaide.”<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb1pN-vxpvS2_aisdlTLopxoc0FcAmApaNFJTIig__5HrwjlF2B9362pEKgXsYs_YrJ7dXzy6PAFDMDsx_B7i5PPOG598iQsqmcAjMAbkR-0vEbpVViNBAhWRm-HbjXEFlb_wnMwBArJP/s1600/australia_3.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; border:0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb1pN-vxpvS2_aisdlTLopxoc0FcAmApaNFJTIig__5HrwjlF2B9362pEKgXsYs_YrJ7dXzy6PAFDMDsx_B7i5PPOG598iQsqmcAjMAbkR-0vEbpVViNBAhWRm-HbjXEFlb_wnMwBArJP/s320/australia_3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605428491501277106" /></a>This is a nice, hard fact, but it is not particularly useful by itself. You could be anywhere on a circle around Adelaide that has a radius of 1290 km, you could be in Newcastle, Towoomba, Alice Springs or on the Nullabor.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZAjJoD_oaTGGpoPch0wWi-g8IJjuTSlxxdSlolRtaDulvtpz7GlSajeJEE-Dj6vVKxtzbkVLhrpYddSO6hYUnPRlFTGQh1eTbug8cG9V6wuNWiERgULYvnVI2F87ZjQ1H2GMfgVZD6ot/s1600/australia_2.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px;border:0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZAjJoD_oaTGGpoPch0wWi-g8IJjuTSlxxdSlolRtaDulvtpz7GlSajeJEE-Dj6vVKxtzbkVLhrpYddSO6hYUnPRlFTGQh1eTbug8cG9V6wuNWiERgULYvnVI2F87ZjQ1H2GMfgVZD6ot/s320/australia_2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605428484817791570" /></a>You ask somebody else where you are, and she says, “You are 1451 km from Cairns.” Now you’re getting somewhere. If you combine this information with the Adelaide information, you have two circles that intersect. You now know that you must be at one of these two intersection points.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw7Mt5YXpYtV9NEPTavEMesgUbIpF-9a2NJ7CkL9XT5J-Zlh-4ggKhULYuRGYcKvS7XLLNMiuMu9Eo8jFVdo3G0slB4mHW6n69vF0WdRXkGTE_iiWpvf4zuAq0fguOe2zRuVWR-Yp7SWC/s1600/australia_1.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; border:0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw7Mt5YXpYtV9NEPTavEMesgUbIpF-9a2NJ7CkL9XT5J-Zlh-4ggKhULYuRGYcKvS7XLLNMiuMu9Eo8jFVdo3G0slB4mHW6n69vF0WdRXkGTE_iiWpvf4zuAq0fguOe2zRuVWR-Yp7SWC/s320/australia_1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605428482250953890" /></a>If a third person tells you that you are 1368 km from Broome, you can eliminate one of the possibilities, because the third circle will only intersect with one of these points. You now know exactly where you are - Alice Springs.<br /><br /> The example uses only three locations - not four - because it is only working in two dimensions. GPS uses a fourth location to determine the elevation, and to improve accuracy.<br /><br /> Source: <a href="https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps.htm">https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps.htm</a><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block;"><br /></span>GPS stands for Global Position System. It is a system of orbiting satellites that a GPS unit, or more accurately, a GPS receiver, will use to find its position anywhere on the surface of the planet. GPS is a US military application developed in the 1970s. A network of 24 core satellites with six additional satellites orbit the planet, each completing two orbits of the planet a day. A GPS receiver needs to have an unobstructed line of sight with four satellites in order to find its position. Each satellite has an atomic clock installed - a very accurate clock. The GPS receiver compares the time a signal left the satellite to when it arrived at the receiver in the hand, the time difference is used to calculate the distance. Receiving signals from four or more satellites, the GPS receiver can determine its x, y and z coordinate (longitude, latitude, elevation.) This is called 3D Trilateration - don’t worry, you never need to remember that term or understand how it works in order to use GPS. The panel on the right explains trilateration in more detail.<br /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">Other Satellite Systems</h2><br />You’d be right wonder about long term access to a US military application. During times of war or conflict the US could disable or suppress the GPS system for non-US military use. Indeed, prior to 2000 the signal was encoded so only the US military could accurately use it. US military GPS receivers are far more accurate, and less prone to interference than the civilian GPS receivers available to the public. <br /><br />Other countries have sought to secure their own satellite navigation network, the Russians have built the GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS), which was opened to the public in 2007. The European Union is developing the Galileo positioning system, due to commence in 2014, and the Chinese the Compass navigation system, which will consist of 75 satellites.<br /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">Three Basic Ways for a Hiker to use a GPS Receiver</h2><br />There are three basic ways to use a GPS receiver when hiking, you could use one, two or all three:<br />1. Use the Trip Computer to display how far you have walked, and for how long.<br />2. Use the coordinates to find your location on a paper topographic map.<br />3. Load a GPS file onto the GPS receiver and use it to navigate along a trail, or to a known place.<br /><br />The first is easy, the second a little more complex, the third even more so. Let’s look at each one in detail, and how you could use them on the Heysen Trail.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">1. Use the Trip Computer to display how far you have walked, and for how long</h3><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreuVNSvL0WMuOAatxZwiL_YqBE6PTm2m923l4CR0lzfpONreINMNOmRCFiz2SmBi2HvjlDRy3oG9Vl7Lsa2oefnpsirtxsQ3Z7oszLYAvdyzweu8qBs0D6D8t1j-l1wH-HMAmp29QWRI/s1600/screenshot_1.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; border: 0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreuVNSvL0WMuOAatxZwiL_YqBE6PTm2m923l4CR0lzfpONreINMNOmRCFiz2SmBi2HvjlDRy3oG9Vl7Lsa2oefnpsirtxsQ3Z7oszLYAvdyzweu8qBs0D6D8t1j-l1wH-HMAmp29QWRI/s400/screenshot_1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605432144665850498" /></a>This is similar to how a dashboard in a car will display the speedo and odometer. You can see how long you have been moving for, and how long you have been resting. If you know how long the hike is you can work out how much is left and estimate how long it will take.<br /><br />You will need to reset the Trip Computer at the start of each hike. On most receivers you can customise which fields are displayed, and sometimes how large or how many fields appear.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">2. Use the coordinates to find your location on a topographic map</h3><br />By default GPS receivers report their location in longitude and latitude. Whilst some topographic maps include some references to longitude and latitude, generally it would be very difficult to find your precise location on the map using these figures. Much easier is to use grid references. Grids overlay topographic maps, including the maps in the Heysen Trail guidebooks. On paper we often refer to grid references in six digits, ie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7lXxwl9Rek2cDHZ8TyAPCuYMAt8Gtx5weeAirJyqTy0AhqAFXnmdR29FrvjajWdV5I9RKL0QyUp2FP2x8XtZGv1-Hsop-5fH_QBJ5txX0oGG3KbPoo-qkkVGRTqS34-gWQ8Lt2sJvBR5/s1600/grid_reference_note.png"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px; border: 0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7lXxwl9Rek2cDHZ8TyAPCuYMAt8Gtx5weeAirJyqTy0AhqAFXnmdR29FrvjajWdV5I9RKL0QyUp2FP2x8XtZGv1-Hsop-5fH_QBJ5txX0oGG3KbPoo-qkkVGRTqS34-gWQ8Lt2sJvBR5/s320/grid_reference_note.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605429440502853202" /></a><br /><br />This system is called UTM for short. UTM covers the planet with a grid, each grid line at a 1000m (1km) spacing.<br /><br />However GPS receivers will display each of these UTM fields as a seven digit field (as in the photo above right), not the two sets of three digits as seen on the GR note above. The seven digits are a measurement in metres, and is too accurate for our needs. 2cm on our topographic maps represents 1000m, or 1km - this is true of all <nobr>1:50 000</nobr> topographic maps, including the Heysen Trail guidebook maps. A single metre will appear as only 0.02mm, 10 metres will appear as 0.2mm. 100 metres will appear as 2mm. So of the seven digits, the last two digits are of little use, we can discard them. We really only need the middle three digits of each set of six digits. The first two of these three digits are the numbers seen on topographic maps. The third digit you will need to measure off on the map yourself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39ExU-Pn4AM3yjLKQssYGG98IHiKkSQsZE24E2SAT9ggu96yulP6BRD21P-hg-nwkiGXujFgHpJzBUImKUeCQ9nm9R9v29N8ptgsmJHllr9D6SMbxpOffIhCkDZhOSXsyMes7QMP_DxbV/s1600/gps_photo_coords_UTM.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 690px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39ExU-Pn4AM3yjLKQssYGG98IHiKkSQsZE24E2SAT9ggu96yulP6BRD21P-hg-nwkiGXujFgHpJzBUImKUeCQ9nm9R9v29N8ptgsmJHllr9D6SMbxpOffIhCkDZhOSXsyMes7QMP_DxbV/s800/gps_photo_coords_UTM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605429176241251762" /></a><br /><i style="font-size: 80%">The two 7-digit numbers in the Location field represent a measurement on that map. The Grid Reference here is 810 220 (ie xx810xx and xx220xx)</i><br /><br />You will need to set the GPS receiver to display UTM coordinates. Usually found in the settings menu, you’ll see formats like hddd°mm’ss.s” and New Zealand TM - choose UTM UPS - this is what we use on Australian topographic maps.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">3. Load a GPS file onto the GPS receiver and use it to navigate along a trail, or to a known place</h3><br />This is the most complex of the three basic ways to use a GPS receiver. There are files on the Heysen Trail website you can download onto your GPS receiver and use to navigate along the trail, or to find campsites. Depending on the brand or model of GPS receiver, it could be an easy or complex task to load the file onto the GPS receiver from your computer.<br /><br />To download the file, visit <a href="https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/heysen_trail/maps.php">www.heysentrail.asn.au/heysen_trail/maps.php</a>.<br /><br />The files are in GPX format, a universal file format which can be used on most GPS receivers. Once you have connected the GPS receiver to the computer, you can save the GPX file onto the GPS receiver via Windows Explorer (for PCs). In the case of Garmin receivers, you would save it onto the drive of the GPS receiver, not the drive of the SD card (the SD card is only for background topographic maps.) Place the file in the GPX folder.<br /><br />Older GPS receivers, like some of the Garmin eTrex series, will not accept this format. They require files to be loaded in their native file format, in the case of the Garmin eTrex this is usually Garmin Mapsource program - GDB files, or Garmin Trip and Waypoint Manager program. You will need to use a program to convert the GPX file to the GDB format. <a href="https://www.gpsbabel.org">GPSBabel</a> is a free/donation piece of software for converting files from GPX files to GDB files (it can convert to and from almost any GPS file type.) You can then open the converted file in the Garmin Mapsource program/Trip and Waypoint Manager program and send it to the GPS receiver.<br /><br />The GPX file on the Heysen website contains the entire Heysen Trail as a Track. Track is a GPS receiver term, and differs from route and waypoint. Track, route and waypoint are the only possible things a GPX file can contain. You will often see these terms used on GPS receivers. Each Heysen Trail guidebook chapter is a different track - so six chapters in each of the two guidebooks equals 12 tracks.<br /><br />The GPX file on the Heysen Trail website also contains waypoints of campsites, shelters and huts along or near the Heysen Trail.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">3.1 Navigating Using a Track</h3><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgMHvuzgXSbRf5YSkqIAhSpUBEgRCS4LfQNmqGKLLhrN1vg3seCkr8EzUTlBJ9FlipvKsOliJsLHFnnTOMMmu9beZFEpreJVXTybjLC6aR1zqiiG2oMOoXS0DzjH0IZOSe2y8zufN_5J/s1600/screenshot_2.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; border: 0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWgMHvuzgXSbRf5YSkqIAhSpUBEgRCS4LfQNmqGKLLhrN1vg3seCkr8EzUTlBJ9FlipvKsOliJsLHFnnTOMMmu9beZFEpreJVXTybjLC6aR1zqiiG2oMOoXS0DzjH0IZOSe2y8zufN_5J/s800/screenshot_2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605432153619499922" /></a>Once loaded onto the GPS receiver, you will see the 12 tracks under the Track Manager menu. For Garmin receivers, if you select the relevant track and select ‘Show on Map’ you will see the track on the map screen. When you are out hiking, you can use the TrackBack feature on Garmin receivers to navigate - access this feature via the Where To menu or Track Manager menu. The GPS receiver will already know where you are, you might be at the start of the chapter track, somewhere along it, or at the end. Each Heysen Trail chapter track heads in a south to north direction. Activating the TrackBack feature, some GPS receivers will ask if you which direction you wish to head, ie from start to end, or end to start, others will work it out for you. If you are heading northwards along the trail, it will be start to end. If you start somewhere along the chapter track - not at the chapter end, this is not a problem, select the TrackBack direction and navigation will begin from where you are. If you move over to the compass screen, the arrow will now point you in the right direction to walk, and may show you a few extra fields like distance to destination (which is the end of that chapter track - it might be many days walk away), and may as you walk attempt to provide an estimated arrival time.<br /><br />This can be very useful as it can save you from getting lost when you can’t see any Heysen Trail markers (the white posts with red markers, this isn’t another GPS term.) I’ve used this feature before on many trails, including the Heysen Trail, and I’ve met plenty of independent hikers using it. Generally you follow the Heysen Trail markers, also reading the map from the guidebook. If you come to a Y-junction on the trail, and can find no marker, or stumble off the trail, or just haven’t seen a marker in a while, this is where the TrackBack feature and the compass screen will be so useful. Head just four or five metres down the wrong trail from a Y-junction and the compass arrow will move from pointing straight ahead to pointing to the other trail, the arrow being left or right rather than upwards. Continue merrily in the wrong direction, the compass will eventually point downwards, instructing you to turn around go back. Continue a long way off the trail it will start to recalculate the shortest distance to get back onto the trail, which it might not necessarily be backtracking but be a straight line which might not passable.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">3.2 Navigating to a Waypoint</h3><br /><span style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px; width:300px; margin-left: 30px; font-size: 80%;"><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block; margin-top: 0;"><br /> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 145%; color: #000;">GPS Receiver Advanced Use</h3><br /> Further to the three basic ways to use a GPS receiver, there are more advanced uses. You could find and download GPX files containing tracks or campsite waypoints of other walking trails. Firstly, try visiting the official website of the trail as the files may be available there. Sometimes published as KML or KMZ files - these are the native file types of Google Earth - you can use <a href="https://www.gpsbabel.org">GPSBabel</a> to convert these KML/KMZ files to GPX files.<br /> <br />If you can’t find an official file, try doing an internet search for other people who have walked the trail and published files. Be wary of following their track too closely, you could end up wandering off the trail where they did.<br /><br />In turn you could share your GPX files with others. Many people publish their GPX files on <a href="https://www.everytrail.com">www.everytrail.com</a>.<br /><br />Software programs are available which automatically assign the longitude and latitude to each photo. Comparing the photos you have taken on your hike with the GPX file, the program can add the position data to the metadata of the photo file. This means when you upload the photo to say, Picasa Web Albums, you can view on a Google Map where the photo was taken. Using such a program though relies upon you synchronising your camera date and time with your GPS receiver.<br /><br />You could also self-publish files on your own website via the Google Maps Javascript API interface. This involves code programming, visit <a href="https://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/">https://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/</a><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block;"><br /></span>Once the GPX file is loaded onto the GPS receiver, you can also see all the waypoints, one for each campsite, shelter and hut along or near the Heysen Trail. With Garmin receivers, these will all appear on the map screen by default - unlike the chapter tracks in which you need to select ‘Show on Map’. In the Waypoint Manager the waypoints will appear in a list, sorted by how close they are to your current location.<br /><br />Using the Where To or Go To function, select to navigate to a specific waypoint. The arrow on the compass screen will point you in the correct direction, and inform you how far away that waypoint is. The map screen will also show you a straight line between your current point and your waypoint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8FNyWbnErDAIi9HL9bXPtQH2SHCGXanFLkbX3HK_FXTsVFz5IrqsFwtFmOsE1Zcnrhv8ChYXItKzCaEt7b5IThszQr0Qs1LcjfL0wzYRT9eXH5_SyfBeZy5nQj9V14noKrv61dkLZweX/s1600/screenshot_3.png"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; border: 0;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8FNyWbnErDAIi9HL9bXPtQH2SHCGXanFLkbX3HK_FXTsVFz5IrqsFwtFmOsE1Zcnrhv8ChYXItKzCaEt7b5IThszQr0Qs1LcjfL0wzYRT9eXH5_SyfBeZy5nQj9V14noKrv61dkLZweX/s400/screenshot_3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605432155040047106" /></a><br /><br />It may not be as useful as it first seems, as the distance to the waypoint will be in a straight line, rarely are trails straight paths. However this can be very useful for finding the camp site when you are close by, but can’t see the camp site.<br /><br />You could create a waypoint at the start of the walk. If you have already been to the end of the walk, say when you left a car there, you could have created one there too. This can help you to return to the same place later, and know how far the end of the walk is (as the crow flies.)<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">3.3 Navigating using a Route</h3><br />Route is the third item that can appear in a GPX file. Creating and using a route is much more complex than navigating along a track or to a waypoint. A route is a series of waypoints you create on a computer, placing them at significant junctions along a map. You then navigate along the route, from one waypoint to another. You don’t need to do this on the Heysen Trail as you can navigate along the track provided in the Heysen Trail GPX file.<br /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">Walking with a GPS Receiver</h2><br />The GPS receiver should always be left on while you are walking, including breaks. When the GPS receiver is on it saves your path to a track, sometimes referred to as a breadcrumb. In the Track Manager it is often referred to as the Current track. If you get lost, you can use this track to navigate back along your path to a previous known place (refer to the instructions on the previous page - 3.1 Navigating Using a Track.)<br /><br /><span style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px; width:300px; margin-left: 30px; font-size: 80%;"><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block; margin-top: 0;"><br /> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 145%; color: #000;">Why Different Results?</h3><br /> Why do people report different walk lengths when they have undertaken the same day walk? No two GPS receivers will report exactly the same figure, the same GPS receiver will often not record the same figure if the trail is followed again. I have tested out someone else’s GPS receiver alongside my own - almost identical models. I placed them hanging vertically side-by-side in my pack, yet they slightly yielded different results. Why?<br /><ul><br /> <li>GPS receivers are complex devices performing many calculations on signals from many satellites (up to 12 at a time.)<br /> <li>Poor stowing of the GPS receiver in or on your pack will affect its ability to receive satellite signals.<br /> <li>Newer GPS receivers generally provide far more accurate results than older receivers.<br /> <li>Old GPS receiver software may contain bugs which cause over or under reporting of walk lengths. For instance, Garmin Oregon receivers (the x50t models) with early software under report the walk length on-screen by around 20%.<br /> <li>Different GPS receivers update their position more often than others - between one and perhaps 15 times a minute. The more often, the more accurate the overall walk length.<br /> <li>The more satellites visible to the GPS receiver the more accurate the tracking - the signal from the satellites is weak, dense foliage, tree trunks or narrow gorges will block signals.<br /> <li>Although the GPS receiver attempts to compensate, the signal from a satellite slows the further it travels through the atmosphere - particularly affecting signals from satellites close to the horizon.<br /> <li>The signal from a satellite can be reflected off objects such as large rock surfaces and buildings.<br /> <li>Each GPS receiver is using its own internal clock to measure the length of time since a signal has left a satellite. When four or more satellites are locked in, it can start checking the accuracy of its clock, but regardless its clock is not anywhere near as accurate as the atomic clocks on board the satellites.<br /></ul><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block;"><br /></span>The signal from satellites can still be received through your backpack material, so you can place it in a pocket close to the edge of the pack. The signal can travel through fabric, canvas, plastic, glass, clouds - but not metal, brick, rock, wood or heavy foliage. However, poor placement of the GPS receiver in or on your pack can affect its ability to receive satellite signals. This is particularly true of older GPS receivers. If the GPS chip faces upwards when you are looking at the screen (parallel plane to the screen) - as with many older GPS receivers - but you stow the receiver vertically, it can only ever see up to 50% of the sky and available satellites. You should stow such a GPS receiver near the top of your pack, preferably laying flat in a top pocket - not side pocket - or attached to a shoulder strap. Newer GPS receivers are often designed to hang vertically, and with significantly improved reception are less prone to make errors like in the above diagram.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8opkzFhmWJ0PDJb3t-44whXpC1qCFaARTEezRxhY0Q5Gm5oEprU2VruoSN0sEIQ04vYVLHRurWG8tG_Ol8L9_iwBlAZJW8-Wpan7O3Rz-nOnkIYIXNHikWgp2Q1wUES6y5FGtgtRCedxO/s1600/map-1.png"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8opkzFhmWJ0PDJb3t-44whXpC1qCFaARTEezRxhY0Q5Gm5oEprU2VruoSN0sEIQ04vYVLHRurWG8tG_Ol8L9_iwBlAZJW8-Wpan7O3Rz-nOnkIYIXNHikWgp2Q1wUES6y5FGtgtRCedxO/s400/map-1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605430492897351538" /></a><br /><i style="font-size: 80%">An example of a track from poor placement of a GPS receiver. The two tracks overlaying each other are from the same GPS receiver, but on different days. The bolder track is when the GPS receiver has been poorly placed, in this case a Garmin eTrex receiver in a side pocket of a backpack. The track points fluctuate, successive points taken just a few seconds apart are some distance apart. The light track in the background is from the same receiver, but when it has been placed lying flat in the top pocket of the backpack. It shows a consistent smooth path, the points appearing at regular distances and times apart - providing a much more accurate track and overall hike distance.</i><br /><br /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%; color: #000;">What to Look for When Purchasing a GPS Receiver</h2><br /><br />Determining which of the three basic uses of a GPS receiver you will use can help determine which features to look for in a GPS receiver. GPS receivers can cost as little as $100 for an entry level unit, receivers with more features up to a $1000.<br /><br />Most newer GPS receivers are easy to use with large colour screens. Some have touchscreens, memory cards, compasses (that function even when stationary), altimeters (using barometric pressure to improve elevation accuracy and monitor weather changes) and cameras.<br /><br />Know what you are purchasing, check the manufacturer’s website for the model details, you might find the model you thought was quite new is a discontinued model.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">On-Screen Maps</h3><br />Most GPS receivers come with a map screen, but some do not. Navigating along a track or to a waypoint will be much more difficult without an on-screen map, and easier with a larger rather than smaller screen, and easier on a colour screen than a black and white screen. Some GPS receivers have a map screen but come with no maps, or come with very basic maps. A very basic map can be of little use to hikers. Often called a Base World Map, it includes broad detail of country boundaries and major highways - but none of this will be very accurate as a minimum number of points make up each object.<br /><br />Most GPS receivers allow this map to be upgraded. There are a number of options, ranging from free open source software, to expensive highly detailed topographic maps. <br /><br /><span style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px; width:300px; margin-left: 30px; font-size: 80%;"><br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block; margin-top: 0;"><br /> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 145%; color: #000;">A GPS Receiver or a Paper Topographic Map?</h3><br /> Debate raged for several years as to whether a GPS receiver, loaded with topographic maps, could negate the need to carry paper topographic maps. People discussed the pros and cons of relying on an electronic receiver that could break, fail or run flat, or relying upon paper maps that could be lost or water damaged. However the debate has long been settled - neither is the clear winner. If you carry a GPS receiver you’ll still need your paper topographic map. For one, most on-screen topographic maps available for Australia are based upon <nobr>1:250 000</nobr> scale topographic maps - the Heysen Trail guidebook uses the more detailed <nobr>1:50 000</nobr> topographic maps (around 5 times more detail.) Secondly, even the larger GPS receiver screens still can’t parallel unfolding a large topographic map to get a sense of where you are walking over several days.<br /> <hr noshade size="1" width="100%" align="center" style="display: block;"><br /></span>Both Garmin and Magellan sell GPS receivers with preloaded <nobr>1:250 000</nobr> topographic maps - if purchasing one of these receivers ensure you buy from an Australian retailer and double check that you are receiving Australian topographic maps. Highly detailed topographic maps of the US or Europe may not be of much use to you in Australia. This can often be a very cost effective way of getting on-screen topographic maps.<br /><br />You can also purchase topographic maps from a third party and load them onto your GPS receiver. These start from several hundred dollars. They come supplied on a DVD and you will need to use a program to upload the maps onto your GPS receiver. Some retailers offer preloaded SD cards as an alternative, this is a no-fuss solution, you simply insert the SD card into your GPS receiver and it is ready to use. OzTopo sell Australian topographic maps for Garmin receivers - visit www.oztopo.com.au. These maps are based on <nobr>1:250 000</nobr> topographic maps.<br /><br />A free option for Garmin receivers is ShonkyMaps - visit <a href="https://www.shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/">www.shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/</a> Allegedly based upon GeoScience Australia’s <nobr>1:250 000</nobr> topographic maps, there are reports that the level of detail is not the same as that offered by Garmin or OzTopo. <br /><br />Another free option is to use the Open Source Map of each Australian state - anyone can update these maps online. These maps are not topographic, but show highways, roads, dirt roads and some tracks. Visit <a href="https://www.osmaustralia.org/garmin.php">www.osmaustralia.org/garmin.php</a>, you may need to use something like <a href="https://wpkg.org/Img2gps">Img2gps</a> to upload the map onto your GPS receiver.<br /><br />Whether topographic maps are preloaded or not can significantly affect the price - if you intend to purchase topographic maps factor this in.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Battery Life</h3><br />Some feature rich receivers can use a lot of battery power. 20 to 30 hours of battery life is good. Battery life could be more important if you undertake multi-day hikes where you won’t have the opportunity to recharge or replace batteries. Lithium batteries tend to last the longest amount of time, followed by alkaline, and rechargeable batteries the shortest. Lithium batteries are much more expensive, but can last up to a week - however some GPS receivers will not permit lithium batteries as they may interfere with the screen display.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Track & Waypoint Memory</h3><br />Some older GPS receivers can only store a small number of tracks and waypoints. The Heysen Trail GPX file contains 31 tracks (12 chapter tracks and 19 spur and alternate trail tracks) and 135 waypoints. Some devices can store as little as 20 tracks.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Smart Phones</h3><br />A smart phone (an iPhone or Android phone) may offer a viable GPS receiver alternative. There are apps available that function as trip computers, showing your track on the map and allowing you to add waypoints. Weatherproofness and battery life could be issues. A fully charged smartphone may last as little as three hours whilst running a hiking GPS app. Also, the basemap is likely to be Google Maps - principally a road navigation map - and only visible where there is mobile phone coverage, however there are some topographic maps coming onto the market which complement Google Maps.<br /><br />Further reading for smart phone users can be found by purchasing (from $4.99) a copy of this <a href="https://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/smartphone_navigation">BackPackingLight article</a>.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">A Note on a Popular, but Old, Model</h3><br />Garmin’s basic eTrex, the yellow one, although once trusted amongst walkers, is fairly old technology now - first produced in 1998. Unless your computer is a decade old you will need to buy a serial to USB connector for your computer. Saving waypoint names is limited to 8 character names. No maps are displayed and its accuracy level is not as good as others, despite the “Now with high signal capability” stickers on the box. It doesn’t record as many points in its breadcrumb track as other GPS receivers, and there isn’t a setting to adjust this. The eTrex receivers also use a joystick control, phased out in laptops and other devices as they were notoriously unreliable.<br /><br />In mid-2011 Garmin upgraded their eTrex range of receivers, releasing a new, updated version of the yellow eTrex.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFarJ_EiH9RUFt__awRI2N0sgU-CSlAhFwqooEou3H8SDRFfos-S0lAPwS2P9ZC83jqXnyUsamc7hcaZ3IgfRhlsyh0Z7oCRvF4Scg4REDjqs28pJp3kEMTqlygeP_5v5flWtC8mw0G71/s1600/map-2.png"><img style="margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 690px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFarJ_EiH9RUFt__awRI2N0sgU-CSlAhFwqooEou3H8SDRFfos-S0lAPwS2P9ZC83jqXnyUsamc7hcaZ3IgfRhlsyh0Z7oCRvF4Scg4REDjqs28pJp3kEMTqlygeP_5v5flWtC8mw0G71/s800/map-2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605430492414471394" /></a><br /><i style="font-size: 80%">An example of two different GPS receivers, one recording its position more often than the other. The bolder track shows the less often recorded track, recording just 20% of the points. This has resulted in a shorter distance being measured - 3.3km compared to the more detailed receiver’s 3.7km - amounting to 3km over a 25km hike. The problem is more pronounced when the track meanders over short distances, and could be barely discernible on long road walks.</i><br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Where to Purchase</h3><br />Purchasing online could save you money, but be wary of preloaded maps that might be for the US or Europe. It could be reasonable for a shop to assist you in setting some of the basic receiver settings for Australia so it is ready for you to use.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Product Reviews</h3><br />Excellent non-biased, thorough product reviews can be found in <a href="https://www.backpackinglight.com/">BackPackingLight</a> articles. Single articles can be purchased for $4.99, or by annual article subscription. Conduct an Advanced Search for articles with your GPS brand and model.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Run the Latest Software</h3><br />GPS receivers operate on software, much like your PC needs Windows to run. You should periodically check you have the latest software version, manufacturers may release software updates to fix bugs - visit the support section of your manufacturer’s website.<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 125%; color: #000;">Want to Comment on this Article?</h3><br />If you want to comment on this article, clarify a point or ask further questions, please leave a comment below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-1600939726335940472011-05-10T14:06:00.001+09:302020-05-27T09:33:05.868+09:30Beyond the Heysen Trail: Parachilna Gorge to Mt Hopeless<div class="intro_para">A page on the Heysen Trail website has been made available collating some of the experiences of the walkers who have tackled the walk north of the Heysen Trail trailhead at Parachilna Gorge to Mt Hopeless or Mt Babbage.</div><br />
<div class="loc_date">Beyond the Heysen Trail: Parachilna Gorge to Mt Hopeless</div><br />
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The page can be viewed at <a href="https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/beyond_the_heysen/">https://www.heysentrail.asn.au/beyond_the_heysen/</a><br />
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We would be keen to hear from anyone has has tackled walking in this area, we'd love to be able to add some more details to the above page. Also if you see any information that is incorrect, or incomplete, do let me know.<div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952795013415598058.post-1421674175508808202011-04-26T20:28:00.014+09:302020-05-27T09:33:07.932+09:30Great South West Walk - western half<div class="intro_para">The Glenelg River in Victoria is gorgeous, a wide river meandering it's way through a gorge, limestone cliffs, surrounded by dense eucalypt forest and pine forest - and - barely a building or road in sight. It's here that we spent the Easter, walking the western half of the Great South West Walk.</div><br /><div class="loc_date"><a href="https://www.greatsouthwestwalk.com/">Great South West Walk</a>, Lower Glenelg National Park and Discovery Bay Conservation Park</div><br /><br /><div style="width:100%; padding:15px 30px 0 15px; background-color:#eeeeee; border-top:1px solid #84b563; border-bottom:1px solid #84b563;"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/Great-South-West-Walk_GSWW_April2011-Jan2012.htm"><img style="float:right; margin:0 30px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aE9JlpT_aoipzM195e4hNmFHhri6b5HudqNi5p5EkQk8m52pi5DlXxUpS0M3evOA5LlJH4TFEi7MMBGXAeQC6q7iKuRVFso4ehoJJ4FnilJc6T4p3zen0TjWnCPx3yYHclco5kz-l7MW/s400/link-to-google-map-of-Great-South-West-Walk.png" border="0" alt="Click on small map to view Google Map of the Great South West Walk hiking trail" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696566829551818738" /></a><b>UPDATE January 2012</b><br /><br />I've now completed the whole Great South West Walk hiking trail. Read the second blog entry about the eastern half from <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2012/01/finishing-off-great-south-west-walk.html">Mt Richmond to Portland and back to the Glenelg River</a>.<br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><ul><li>View <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2012/Great-South-West-Walk_GSWW_April2011-Jan2012.htm">Google Map of entire Great South West Walk trail</a></li><br /><li>Download the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2012/01/finishing-off-great-south-west-walk.html#gpx_kml_gsww">Great South West Walk GPX map files</a> for your handheld GPS unit as a navigational aid to hike the trail</li><br /><li>Download the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2012/01/finishing-off-great-south-west-walk.html#gpx_kml_gsww">Great South West Walk KML files</a> to view the trail in Google Earth.</li></ul></div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/GreatSouthWestWalkWesternHalf#5599843024780215202"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiWJAshYOUAgB7un2qJuH1jRriGlY_v4Bb1fjA0rT_WP8U1kYtiLsQK4OdT146ONJMpNXHNQdDRJsFUApvyPjOYyQL9KMR-qvy-cjvIyWiZQjEYb4VHr3oQjznqwU6K9IXNIiJRMsUWEL/s800/IMG_6195.jpg" style="width: 695px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />I've <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/2009/03/paddling-down-glenelg-river.html">paddled down the river</a> three times before, I never imagined that dense eucalypt forest also held a walking trail and walker's campsites.<br /><br />We walked from Moleside Picnic Area down to Murrells walk-in campsite, up, down, and along the meandering trail. The following day we pushed out the kilometres to reach Simsons walk-in campsite - not quite the isolated campsite that Moleside was, this one is only three kilometres from Nelson. People wandered past walking their dogs, a few 4WDs drove past on the dirt track. Dissapointingly - because I thought I had seen this campsite whilst paddling down the river before - there was no river view for this campsite.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jez.blog/GreatSouthWestWalkWesternHalf#5599843680005473522"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_c8ZVg_xGcBA/TbakKGBxRPI/AAAAAAAAK1A/RO5sFHSw2tw/s400/IMG_6248.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>The following day we divided into two groups, Graham and myself pushing out along the beach - after a stopover at the Nelson General Store - to <nobr>Mo M Beong</nobr> Lake campsite (also spent Mombeong, or Monibeong). Steve and Krystyna took a more leisurely pace, camping at a campsite midway along the beach. The beach walking was long but beautiful. The guidebook described the sand as "pleasurably hard" which sounds somewhat erotic - I can assure you it wasnt, erotic that is. We took the inland route into <nobr>Mo M Beong</nobr> Lake and the campsite, we really enjoyed that route and coming up to the lake. A swim was prevented by the lack of appropriate underwear or all the other car campers around (ok so that hiking underwear went in the bin after this walk).<br /><br />We made the fourth day our final. We sat eating lunch at Swan Lake campsite, beside the lake, well we think, the location of the actual hike-in campsite was ambiguous, certainly of the campsites we had seen this one had the poorest facilities - all the others we had seen were very good. The nearby car based campsite and surrounding sand dunes were trashed by the tyres of dune buggies. Never have I seen this kinda of wanton damage to a national park from vehicles. We walked on, towards Mt Richmond. We were to camp somewhere ad hoc, to balance the days a little. As we decided to focus on the hours left to walk to the car at Mt Richmond, rather than the kilometres left, we were easily able to make it back to the car by around 4pm, and make that drive into Portland for a pub meal.<br /><br />Someone asked how it compared with the <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/search/label/Great%20Ocean%20Walk">Great Ocean Walk</a>, well, it may not be a fair comparison. They are different environments. The Great Ocean Road didn't get that name by accident. I <span style="font-style:italic;">love</span> the Glenelg River, but this walk comprises maybe four elements: river; beach; coastal cliffs; forest. In the western half of the trail we did, we walked the river and beach sections. The <a href="https://jez-hiking.blogspot.com/search/label/Great%20Ocean%20Walk">Great Ocean Walk</a> passes through a more diverse range range of ecosystems, but Great South West Walk is still worth doing, perhaps just not something to rage about. It is much easier walking as the terrain is generally flatter. Despite being on my "To Do List" for a long time, we were only doing this walk now because we couldn't access Wilsons Promontory due to flooding. We met and camped with other walkers, they had intended to do some of the Grampians over Easter, but likewise, couldn't due to flooding. We will get back to finish the eastern half, but being so close to Adelaide I'm not sure when, Christmas maybe (being so close to home it isn't hard to organise a trip there, so I would prefer to use annual leave on trails further away.)<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjez.blog%2Falbumid%2F5599839499255881649%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="https://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><iframe src="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_04_22_Great_South_West_Walk_part_1.htm" width="700" height="525" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" border="0"><b>#Google map feature not compatible with your browser or reader#</b></iframe><table class="kml_table"><tr><td>View in <a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_04_22_Great_South_West_Walk_part_1.htm">full screen format</a><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_04_22_Great_South_West_Walk_part_1_download.gpx">Download GPX file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - for use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit</span><br /><span class="kml_download"><a href="https://jeremycarter.com.au/jeremyc.com/2011/2011_04_22_Great_South_West_Walk_part_1_download.kml">Download KML file</a></span><span class="kml_explain"> - view in <a href="https://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a></span></td></tr></table><br /><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><table><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" rowspan="4"><b>Stats<br/><br/></b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center" colspan="4"><b>Great South West Walk - western half</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Friday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Saturday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Sunday</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Monday</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>22/04/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>23/04/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>24/04/2011</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>25/04/2011</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Moleside Creek Picnic Area to Murrells Hike-In Campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Murrells Hike-In Campsite to Simsons Hike-In Campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Simsons Hike-In Campsite to Lake Mo M Beong Campsite</b></td><br /> <td style="background:#e0e0e0;" align="center"><b>Lake Mo M Beong Campsite to Mt Richmond</b></td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Distance</td><br /> <td align="center">25.15km</td><br /> <td align="center">27.01km</td><br /> <td align="center">25.62km</td><br /> <td align="center">32.1km*</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Start Time</td><br /> <td align="center">9.16am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.52am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.43am</td><br /> <td align="center">7.49am</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">End Time</td><br /> <td align="center">3.52pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.55pm</td><br /> <td align="center">2.53pm</td><br /> <td align="center">4.13pm</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">4h38m</td><br /> <td align="center">5h10m</td><br /> <td align="center">4h52m</td><br /> <td align="center">6h08m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" nowrap>Stationary Duration</td><br /> <td align="center">1h24m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h22m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h48m</td><br /> <td align="center">1h52m</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Moving Average</td><br /> <td align="center">5.4km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.3km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.3km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">5.2km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Overall Average</td><br /> <td align="center">4.2km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">4.1km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">3.8km/h</td><br /> <td align="center">4.0km/h</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left">Oodometer</td><br /> <td align="center">25.1km</td><br /> <td align="center">52.2km</td><br /> <td align="center">77.8km</td><br /> <td align="center">109.9km*</td><br /> </tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td align="left" colspan="5"><small>*About 600m longer than actual trail, meadering around Swan Lake campsite looking for water</small></td><br /> </tr><br /></table><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">View maps and photos by visiting website
(http://jez-hiking.blogspot.com)</div>Jezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321045130627996084noreply@blogger.com3