JOURNAL
JOURNAL
WILD BLUE MOUNTAINS
2023 HYDRAULICS COURSE 26 March 2023 The hydraulics course was on and I was assisting! As luck would have it, the weather went in sympathy with its own hydraulics show… For me, the highlight of the day is the buoy wall: watching the participants unpacking and packing it back! They did well! I was at the Cat 7 station explaining the finer points of drafting… Then, surprise! I was charged to demonstrate to each group, foam production with the Quenchmaster! […]
BALD HEAD RIDGE 20 March 2023 The mountains were wrapped in mist that contrasted with the heat of the previous day. A nice little walk to Bald Head and Bennett Lookout was on the menu. Views: there were none! The mist made place to drizzle and we reconvene for a hot cup of tea at Karin’s place!
WOLLANGAMBE TWO – DRAFT 18 March 2023 With high temperatures and a high fire danger, we abandoned our plan to visit Kanangra and decided to cool ourselves in Wollangambe Two instead. We entered W2 via the Serendipity Canyon exit with a leisured tea break on the rock platform which was surprisingly devoid of water dragons. The water was rather cold and the sun was not shining any warm rays in the gorge: it is mid-March after all! Swims, wades, scrambling […]
GREAT UNCLE GEORGE 16 March 2023 Kevin wanted to christen his new Bestard boots: I was happy to oblige! So off we went to Great Uncle George on a sunny hot day! I love creeks and waterfalls: this was paradise and we had it for us alone!
ETHEREAL CANYON 15 March 2023 It had been a while since I had visited Ethereal Canyon which, with one constriction, is more a creek than a canyon. Although the 2019-20 fires did damage the area, the creek was mostly untouched and offered the best of rainforest environments: creeks, waterfalls, palm tree ferns, and mossy rocks.
ERSKINE CREEK – NO NAME RIDGE 11 March 2023 The perfect incentive for a 35°C day is the promise of a swim in a creek! Off we went up and then down the No Name Ridge. We reached a long pool on Erskine Creek and threw ourselves in the cool waters of the creek. Following the creek, we took a shortcut back to the Jack Evans Track.
WOLLANGAMBE FIVE 10 March 2023 I had missed out on Wollangambe Six so I was ready for Wollangambe Five. After a steep descent (indicative of a steep ascent), we were walking, paddling, swimming and liloing on the mighty Wollangambe River. The exit did not disappoint: after climbing through the main cliff line, the distance to the cars was about 400 m but the elevation was 200 m!
EAST CREEK 8 March 2023 The plan was to walk upstream along East Creek, a tributary of Carne Creek, on the cliff line to East Creek Falls. The vegetation had other plans for us: we had to bail out half-way through the trip as it became evident we would not make it in time to the falls. To be continued …
WONDER CAVES 27 February 2023 This was my second foray in the Mountain Lagoon area. Although I had to get up at an uncivilised hour, this remote area has a few gems to offer. Yuri had published his report on the Wonder Caves and my appetite was whetted! The caves and a neighbouring cave did not disappoint: colours, shapes, textures were a feast to the eye!We left the caves with regret but a swim in a pool and lunch were […]
CRAYFISH CREEK 25 February 2023 After the recce of February 01, we re-visited Crayfish Creek. The water levels were still high. The two deep wades were welcomed on a hot day!
