Then there were four

The fast, medium and slow groups didn't eventuate, and by the morning break Graham and I decided to form a breakaway group that would be fast. With the walk leader's approval the seven of us set off, however by lunch time only four of us remained, the rest dropping back to the main group.

Pioneer Womens Trail: Hahndorf to Beaumont

The trail honours the pioneer women of Hahndorf who took their produce to the markets in Adelaide from their homes in Hahndorf, between 1839 and 1852. They carried up to 65kg, and walked barefoot, setting off at 1am to make Beaumont by early morning and the city markets after that.

Listen to an interview with Anni Luur Fox from the Hahndorf branch of the National Trust, which aired on ABC 891 on Friday.





Stats:

• Distance: 28.4km
  
• Start time:
  
• End time:
  
• Moving duration: 4h 50m
  
• Stationary duration: 1h 12m
  
• Moving average: 5.9km/h
  
• Overall average: 4.7km/h
  

Just 4 minutes rest

Returning to the Waterfall Gully hike, we got our best rest time ever - just 4 minutes.

Mt Lofty Summit to Waterfall Gully and return

Does the wind count?

It didn't rain today, unless if you count when the wind blows while you are standing under trees.

Hidden Gorge, Mambray Creek

Our Heysen Trail walk was cancelled today due to wet roads, so Graham and I drove down to Mambray Creek - thank goodness for the car hey - and walked the Hidden Gorge hike. It didn't rain.

Pretty glad we went for the walk though, 16.9km over 5 hours. Hidden Gorge was magnificent, we even saw a Yellow Footed Wallaby with a striped yellow tail. Graham and I both took falls on the slippery rocks through Hidden Gorge.

This was a special hike, this is the same hike I did with the guys when I was 17 over a hot Easter, I guess one of my first hikes, certainly the longest I had done before. Back then we did in jeans or trackies with some regular backpacks and water bottles. How it changes ha?

Back on the Heysen Trail tomorrow.



View photos as full screen slideshow



Stats:

• Distance: 16.9km
  
• Odometer: 41.49km
  
• Start time: 8.20am
  
• End time: 1.24pm
  
• Moving duration: 3h 46m
  
• Stationary duration: 1h 15m
  
• Moving average: 4.5km/h
  
• Overall average: 3.4km/h
  
• Max speed: 10.5km/h
  

Exhiliration

An adrenalin climb to breathtaking views after views. A short, hard hike, some rock scrambling but views that just take your breath away.

Devils Peak, Pichi Richi Pass

I drove up to Port Augusta today for the first week of two for End-to-End 2 week on the Heysen Trail, from Quorn to Moralana Scenic Drive, near Wilpena Pound. So for something to get me in the mood (like I need to) I drove out to Quorn to hike Devil's Peak. A quick but good hike that I had never done before.

Euphoric as I was having reached the top, scrambling up rocks, at the same time I got an sms from Alex to say he was engaged, so a quick phone call from what he said was the best place called from yet to congratulate him.



View photos as full screen slideshow



Up Stats:

• Distance: 1.24km
  
• Start time: 2.00pm
  
• Moving duration: 25m 30s
  
• Stationary duration: 12m 30s
  
• Moving average: 3.2km/h
  
• Overall average: 2.1km/h
  
• Max speed: 7.5km/h
  

Coming back down was just 20 minutes.