tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50964355802407453752024-03-19T00:50:04.671-07:00 Hiking in S.E. Queensland My hiking, climbing and camping adventures in South-East Queensland (and beyond)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-2993045710631406892014-12-02T16:24:00.000-08:002014-12-02T16:24:49.276-08:00Farewell BloggerAfter being on the cards for quite a while I have decided to move Hiking in S.E. Qld to a new blogging platform. The other change you will notice is that I have brought together a few of my interests and combined them under the banner of High and Wide, my new business venture into the world of freelance writing, photography, publications and anything else I can think of.<br />
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The new links to know:<br />
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<b>High and Wide:</b> <a href="http://highandwide.com.au/">http://highandwide.com.au/</a><br />
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<b>Hiking in S.E. Qld Blog:</b> <a href="http://highandwide.com.au/hikinginseqld/">http://highandwide.com.au/hikinginseqld/</a><br />
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The current URL of www.hikinginseqld.com will now start redirecting to the above address.<br />
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The other news is that I have released a calendar for 2015 featuring photos from the blog from the last year. You can purchase this on the new website <a href="http://highandwide.com.au/2015-hiking-in-s-e-qld-calendar/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I would like to thank all those who have taken an interest in the blog over the years and hope that you will continue to share my adventures with me into the future.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-71474581494034831562014-11-17T04:17:00.000-08:002014-11-17T16:09:30.376-08:00Artists Cascades (The Slow Way)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many ways to choose a bushwalk. Some of my methods include picking based on the destination, conditions, the challenge, the journey, or extra curricular activities including photography, swimming or rock climbing opportunities. As is often the case though, Maree and I picked our latest venture in Conondale National Park based on a combination of factors.<br />
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We started with the park. Chosen because Maree had never visited Conondale, and I knew that the type of walking would provide some relief from the rapidly approaching hot weather. Second was the journey and other activities. We wanted to walk up the creek for the opportunities that it would provide for photography and swimming. Finally, the destination of Artists Cascades was a worthy one and the walking track that also passes this spot would provide an alternate route back to the car.</div>
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Conondale N.P. is located roughly 2 hours North of Brisbane on the other side of Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The walks are accessed from either the day use area or any of the campsites. There are 3 creek crossings needed to access the day use area. All of which we negotiated without any troubles in a 2WD Hyundai Tucson. That said, the creeks weren't very high. Worst case, you can park before the first crossing and have to walk an extra 2km to the start of the tracks.</div>
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We started out on the track system, following signs towards Artists Cascades. This section heads up hill straight away to avoid the steep terrain beside Booloumba Creek. We immediately became aware of the number of birds that surrounded us as we walked. Kookaburra's and Brown Cuckoo-Dove's seemed to follow us from tree to tree.</div>
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After passing through a stand of palms, the track followed the creek closely. We chose a spot to drop down into the rocky bed where the track ran within metres of it and there was a loose scramble down. </div>
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Booloumba Creek was wide and flat at this point, and provided plenty of evidence of the small amount of rain the area, and indeed the state, has had this year. Water was only found in the deepest pools and along some sections where it trickled over small cascades. Elsewhere it found its way underground.<br />
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We made good time along this stretch. With little rock hopping needed we just had to be careful of rolling our ankles on the loose stones. Eventually, the creek began to narrow and the rocks increased in size. Some larger pools needed a bit of scrambling to detour around the sides.<br />
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Escape from the creek would have been difficult by this stage due to the steep banks and thick vegetation lining them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle-like vegetation</td></tr>
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As we traveled further up stream the water pools, despite still being disjointed, became more frequent and even with the lack of flow the green moss covered rocks lying beneath the crystal clear water was a feature of the walk.<br />
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Eventually, we heard the familiar sound of a larger cascade up ahead and soon arrived at Artists Cascades. The name is certainly appropriate, with various viewing angles providing text book composition opportunities.<br />
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The first half of our walk to this point took us roughly 6 hours (we took the slow way remember). However, in actual fact, the walking up the creek was less strenuous than taking the track and the reasons for our lack of speed were mainly due to the many points of interest along the way.<br />
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The return track was easy to spot with abundant signage due to the Great Walk. This section of the track still follows the creek, but from a much higher vantage point. The result is plenty of loose ups and downs with little grading.<br />
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The final point of interest took us by surprise. The signs for the "Strangler Cairn" did nothing to elude to its size and uniqueness. I will leave out my photo of this in the hope that the reader who, like us, wasn't aware of this landmark might restrain from looking it up beforehand and therefore experience this same surprise. Know that it is definitely worth the walk up the small side-track.<br />
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Our final approach to the picnic area at dusk was made even more pleasant by a procession of Australian Logrunner's and Scrub Turkey's scratching in the undergrowth beside the track.<br />
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Related Links:<br />
- <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/conondale-range-great-walk.html" target="_blank">Conondale Great! Walk</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.csphotographyqld.com/p287453384/e9c7ffd0" target="_blank">Purchase Artists Cascades Prints from Cameron Semple Photography</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-35942123043730046582014-11-06T18:49:00.000-08:002014-11-06T18:52:48.896-08:00Tick SeasonIt's that time of the year again when the temperatures are rising, the flowers are out and the wildlife is active. Unfortunately this also includes some more unwelcome critters including Ticks.<br />
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I've had my fair share of these nasties latch on over the years, but I have to admit that I've always been a bit blaze about the whole thing. However, a couple of events over the last couple of years have made me sit up and take a bit more notice.<br />
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In one case a friend developed a nasty allergic reaction and had a rash all up one arm. In the case of another friend, he developed a reaction to red meat after having one attach during an unplanned night in the bush.<br />
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A poster on the Qurank climbing forums recently posted a link to <a href="http://www.aabr.org.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/AABR-Ticks-and-tick-borne-diseases-protecting-yourself1.pdf" target="_blank">this thorough information sheet</a> (PDF Download) about how to avoid getting them, how to remove them and plenty of other useful info.<br />
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The take home messages for me were:<br />
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<li>Take Ticks more seriously</li>
<li>Wear insect repellent more often</li>
<li>Purchase a Tick removing tool and some cooling spray (ended up finding a removal tool at a pet shop after trying 2 chemists that didn't have any)</li>
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Have fun, and stay safe in the bush.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-71010012008698656362014-10-20T05:25:00.000-07:002014-10-20T05:25:49.455-07:00The Falls Drive<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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The Falls Drive takes you on a scenic route past Boonah to Killarney via Teviot Gap and has numerous short walks along the way. If you're after a more relaxing day out with some short walks this should definitely be high on your list.<br />
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<b>Moss Garden:</b><br />
After heading through Boonah and taking the right turn onto Carney's Creek Rd. you ascend the Main Range via Teviot Gap. After stopping at the lookout for Teviot Falls you continue through beautiful grassy farmland until you reach a small break in the trees to the left with a sign indicating the Moss Garden.<br />
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This short walk follows the border fence through, you guessed it, moss covered trees and rocks. Not being geared up for a longer walk we stopped once the fence headed severely down hill and headed back the way we'd come. Definitely worth the stop.<br />
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<b>Queen Mary Falls:</b><br />
<b></b>Heading to this lovely spot on a weekday would certainly have its advantages. It is very popular, although for good reason. The falls themselves are impressive and the upper viewing platform is a short walk on a well made track from the picnic ground.<b></b><br />
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The base of the falls can also be reached by a very well graded track which heads past the viewing platform. This can be done as a circuit, arriving back on the other side of the picnic ground.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Mary Falls</td></tr>
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<b>Daggs Falls:</b><br />
Ok, I know this is a hiking blog, but I couldn't leave this one out. Daggs Falls can be seen from a viewing platform right next to the carpark and is definitely worth the stop. I investigated some foot pads leading down to the left from the platform, but the ground is very loose and I wasn't prepared for a mini epic for the chance at some better photos.<br />
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<b>Browns Falls:</b><br />
The final stop for the day was for Browns Falls. After seeing some excellent photos online of these I was excited to get there myself. From the carpark the track leads back under the road and follows the creek. This provides a beautiful cool setting for the walk and the water must be crossed at a few points via some easy rock hopping. There are plenty of reflective markers to show the route.<br />
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After passing a few smaller cascades you eventually reach the very picturesque Browns Falls, featuring spectacular columnar rock formations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browns Falls</td></tr>
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Our route back to Brisbane took us through Woodenbong, along the Mt. Lindsay Highway and past Beaudesert.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-57072155262450336502014-09-30T01:49:00.000-07:002014-09-30T01:53:08.265-07:00Mt. Greville: Waterfall Gorge<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/9929913926" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mt. Greville, North-Eastern Face by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="Mt. Greville, North-Eastern Face" height="312" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/9929913926_a6edaebd1d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Greville</td></tr>
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<b>Date: 21 Sep 2013</b><br />
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Here's a walk that I never got around to posting from last year. Directions for getting to the carpark of Mt. Greville and the start of the track can be found in my previous report about Palm Gorge <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/06/mt-greville.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Ever since completing that first walk Mt. Greville has been a bit of a favourite location of mine. I've since taken some family up Palm Gorge and have been back a couple of times rock climbing in Waterfall Gorge. However, until this point I still hadn't been all the way up via this route.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>After starting up the same track as for Palm Gorge you reach an intersection with Waterfall Gorge signed as the right fork. The track from this point is quite rocky and loose with some steep sections while you climb a small ridge. Once attaining the ridge you get a great view up into Waterfall Gorge before dropping down to its start via a steep (sometimes muddy) section.<br />
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A creek runs the length of the gorge however depending on the recent weather the water runs underground for most of the walk. Cliffs line the gorge for most of its length and the terrain is reasonably steep with some sections of scrambling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YeWxTFDfZE/Uvt1_T6sN2I/AAAAAAAADHw/EB04mHfXsYg/s1600/IMGP2814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5YeWxTFDfZE/Uvt1_T6sN2I/AAAAAAAADHw/EB04mHfXsYg/s1600/IMGP2814.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some small sections of scrambling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still plenty of palm trees</td></tr>
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Track notes from Take a Walk: in SE Queensland indicate the main difficulty on this walk being the waterfall near the top of the gorge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but what we found definitely wasn't the most imposing set of falls. We simply walked up the "falls" directly and then scrambled up to the left for the final section. You could also veer left at the base of them to avoid the small scramble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HY4ntz-POgg/Uvt2F0W8AoI/AAAAAAAADII/afd8Z2Hp8lI/s1600/IMGP2836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HY4ntz-POgg/Uvt2F0W8AoI/AAAAAAAADII/afd8Z2Hp8lI/s1600/IMGP2836.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Falls (the tree is lying on the ground, not upright ;))</td></tr>
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From the top of the falls it isn't long until you reach the head of the gorge. We stopped here for lunch where there is a good view towards Mt. Moon and the range. At this point you can detour from the summit track by heading up to the right along a well worn foot pad. This takes you to an excellent lookout (where the title photo was taken).<br />
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Back at the top of the gorge you can head left and follow a series of footpads and tape markers back to the top of the South-East Ridge, then onto the top of Palm Gorge and finally on to the summit if you wish (see <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/06/mt-greville.html">this post </a>for details on Palm Gorge and the South-East Ridge). For this trip we decided to descend down Palm Gorge to avoid the heat. No matter which way you choose, you're in for a treat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9Hl5QDqZgo/Uvt2Ncm0EsI/AAAAAAAADIo/-vENaRmt6G0/s1600/IMGP2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9Hl5QDqZgo/Uvt2Ncm0EsI/AAAAAAAADIo/-vENaRmt6G0/s1600/IMGP2919.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposed roots on the way down Palm Gorge</td></tr>
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Other walks in the area:<br />
- <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/mt-edwards.html">Mt. Edwards</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/mt-mitchell.html">Mt. Mitchell</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-10321532249679124192014-08-16T22:38:00.001-07:002014-11-18T02:49:55.418-08:00Mt. Maroon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RIvUt08f70/VGsjnLSh2QI/AAAAAAAAEGI/zSODWqyhY8A/s1600/Mt%2BMaroon%2BPanorama-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0RIvUt08f70/VGsjnLSh2QI/AAAAAAAAEGI/zSODWqyhY8A/s1600/Mt%2BMaroon%2BPanorama-2.jpg" height="338" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Date: 13/08/2014</b><br />
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Mt. Maroon is part of the Mt. Barney N.P. and is located near Rathdowney, South of Brisbane. The Ekka holiday was once again upon us and, as usual, rather than deal with the hordes at the show I decided to head out for a walk. Mt. Maroon provides stunning views over the district and some of the most interesting geological formations in S.E. Queensland.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The walking track is well used and as with all parks in the area, the start of the walk is now marked by a boot cleaning station. Be sure to use these stations as National Parks tries to stop the spread of the root destroying fungus <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-gold-coast-hinterland/faq.html#what_is_phytophthora" target="_blank">Phytopthera Cinnamomi</a>.<br />
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As soon as you leave the car park the track starts up hill, leading at first through cleared farm land before you reach the edge of the National Park itself and the ridge that will take you most of the way up the mountain. The track is rough and there is no room for grading on the narrow ridge so make sure you are prepared to get the blood pumping.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Examples of the track early on in the climb</span></div>
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I was with an old friend, but new walking companion for the day and the steepness was seemingly reduced and the distance compressed by the good conversation and numerous vantage points providing views to the North and North-East and across to the rocky North-North-Easterly ridge.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Views back down the ridge and the track. Are we having fun yet???</span></div>
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Before long we reached morning tea rock, an exposed outcrop providing unobstructed views across to the other ridge and out across the farming land below. The weather was glorious and the steady breeze cooled us quickly once stopped.<br />
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It is from this viewpoint that we got our first good look at the amazing vertical Trachyte formations. Mt. Maroon is part of the remnants of the large Focal Peak Shield Volcano that erupted 24 million years ago. More information of the geology of the area can be found in <a href="http://qld.gsa.org.au/Barneyv5.pdf" target="_blank">this document</a> released by the Geological Society of Australia.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the gully towards the Northern Peak</td></tr>
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After a short break, we continued up the ridge as it became more rocky and narrow. Just as a large cliff came into view, seemingly blocking our path, the track veered sharply down hill and contoured around the base of some more rock before hitting the start of the gully section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7RrvvGcQic/U-2vLpLE8oI/AAAAAAAADWU/Ktdr-MY6k-U/s1600/DSC03381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7RrvvGcQic/U-2vLpLE8oI/AAAAAAAADWU/Ktdr-MY6k-U/s1600/DSC03381.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gully section of the track</td></tr>
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The views from here up to the large Eastern face are great and the track involves interesting steep walking and scrambling. Be careful not to knock rocks down on parties walking below you here and tread as lightly as you can to avoid unnecessary erosion.<br />
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Once the track flattens keep an eye out for a branch off to the left. This takes you to a large rock shelf with excellent views towards both summits and the East face. Climbing parties can often be seen on the popular route Ruby of India which heads up the right hand side of the face.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the North from the rock shelf</td></tr>
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Continuing on the main track leads you on to the final rock slabs before the summit. Follow the reflectors on the rock in key locations and some painted marks for the suggested route. The view from the top is a stunning 360 degrees including views towards Mt. Lindsay and Mt. Barney, Maroon Dam, the Moogerah Peaks and further North towards Flinders Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II3I6RgQwG4/U-2vX4dj2-I/AAAAAAAADXE/8c4_7C5klyk/s1600/DSC03397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II3I6RgQwG4/U-2vX4dj2-I/AAAAAAAADXE/8c4_7C5klyk/s1600/DSC03397.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large summit cairn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uBFIvRxAfY/U-2vZi4M4DI/AAAAAAAADXM/PlY8gWepjXo/s1600/DSC03398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uBFIvRxAfY/U-2vZi4M4DI/AAAAAAAADXM/PlY8gWepjXo/s1600/DSC03398.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaky Grey Shike-thrush on the summit. Lake Maroon and the Main Range in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHarZ8AwpBk/U-2vig7W-gI/AAAAAAAADXk/G1xxvqOX4VI/s1600/DSC03409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHarZ8AwpBk/U-2vig7W-gI/AAAAAAAADXk/G1xxvqOX4VI/s1600/DSC03409.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Lindsay and Mt. Barney</td></tr>
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We returned via the same route. My suggestion is to take your time on the steep and loose descent. Your knees will thank you for it.<br />
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Other walks in the area:<br />
- <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/mt-barney-lower-portals.html" target="_blank">Mt. Barney: Lower Portals</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/mt-barney-south-ridge.html" target="_blank">Mt. Barney: South Ridge</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-73347739152772923082014-08-16T00:48:00.001-07:002014-11-18T02:50:31.842-08:00Weekend at Binna Burra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in May, Maree and I spent the weekend at Binna Burra. The weather wasn't that great, but we still managed to fit in the Cave's Circuit (highly recommended) and a small circuit out along the Border Track. These are a few images from the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/14131345249" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03153.jpg by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC03153.jpg" height="433" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14131345249_64c38da7fa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Bush turkey posing in the light</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/14318091555" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03107.jpg by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC03107.jpg" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/14318091555_ec82cc81e6_b.jpg" width="411" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss detail on the Cave's Circuit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Mushrooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/14131340129" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03131.jpg by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC03131.jpg" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/14131340129_beca8f21ea_b.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More spectacular colours lighting up the dim rainforest</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-88677658996312560792014-08-11T04:14:00.000-07:002014-08-11T16:44:39.248-07:00Banff Mountain Film Festival: Radical ReelsDates for the <a href="http://radicalreels.com.au/trailer.html" target="_blank">Banff Mountain Film Festival: Radical Reels Tour</a> were announced last week.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Designed to keep audiences on the edges of their seats, the films feature daring footage of some of the most accomplished climbers, paddlers, BASE jumpers, skiers, snowboarders and mountain-bike riders alive today. Each action-packed short has been hand-picked from more than 300 entries to the most recent Banff Mountain Festival (the largest and most prestigious mountain-adventure, -culture and -exploration festival in the world)."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
We attended the standard Banff Mountain Film Festival Roadshow earlier in the year and had an amazing night. The quality of the films was stunning and anyone that enjoys outdoor activities will no-doubt be blown away.<br />
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The dates for Brisbane are:<br />
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<li>Tuesday 18 November</li>
<li>Wednesday 19 November</li>
<li>Thursday 20 November</li>
<li>Friday 21 November</li>
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The Brisbane Powerhouse is a great venue so be sure not to miss out.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-19527439846150612062014-08-04T19:56:00.000-07:002014-08-04T19:57:59.219-07:00Winter Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/9929913926" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Mt. Greville, North-Eastern Face by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="Mt. Greville, North-Eastern Face" height="312" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/9929913926_a6edaebd1d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Greville</td></tr>
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I hope everyone is making the most of the best time of year to get out bushwalking in S.E. Queensland? This time of year is particularly good to head out to the <a href="http://nationalparks.queensland.com/southern-queensland-country/main-range-national-park/">Main Range</a> and <a href="http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/moogerah-peaks/index.html" target="_blank">Moogerah Peaks</a> National Parks where the often exposed terrain can be draining in the summer heat.</div>
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Some of my recommendations for this area include:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/06/mt-greville.html" target="_blank">Mt. Greville - Palm Gorge and SE Ridge:</a> This day walk is a great introduction to my favourite of the easily accessible peaks in the region. Other walk options include Waterfall Gorge and even the Northern Gorge for the more adventurous.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/mt-mitchell.html" target="_blank">Mt. Mitchell:</a> One of many great walks leaving from Cunningham's Gap in the Main Range N.P. Views from the top are stunning with interesting walking through a variety of bushland to get there.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/2011/04/spicers-gap-spicers-peak.html" target="_blank">Spicers Peak:</a> Not for the beginner, this walk involves negotiating some very steep terrain. However, the views and and exposure definitely get the blood pumping and provide for a unique experience.</li>
</ul>
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Most of my recent adventures have revolved around climbing, as I attempt to make a statement to myself about getting fitter whilst getting older and push to cleanly ascend as many climbs as possible at my (prior to April) previously un-achievable grade of 20 or higher before I turn 30 in September.</div>
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This challenge has taken me back to a few of my favourite crags in the area including (of course) Girraween for another winter trip this weekend just passed. I wouldn't recommend the park in winter unless you don't mind the cold, but personally I think it is one of the best times to visit. You virtually have the place to yourself and the days are beautiful for walking.</div>
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The wildflowers and wattles are already making a showing and I can't wait to head back in September to hopefully see them in full bloom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/14639938700" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Enjoying the View by Cameron Semple, on Flickr"><img alt="Enjoying the View" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14639938700_8517bb71b1_c.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight over the First Pyramid (Girraween)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-88297726152730307062014-05-16T00:03:00.000-07:002014-05-16T00:07:44.542-07:00Gwongoorool Pool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FIEg0wFtF3w/U3HjPnPUcfI/AAAAAAAADPo/OhTDX7ThVms/s1600/DSC02822+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FIEg0wFtF3w/U3HjPnPUcfI/AAAAAAAADPo/OhTDX7ThVms/s1600/DSC02822+Panorama.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Date: 25 April 2014</b><br />
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Gwongoorool Pool is located on the Upper Coomera River within Lamington N.P. in the Gold Coast Hinterland. If you're after a swim in beautiful crystal clear pools with perfect stoney beds then this could be the walk for you. Just watch out for the eel!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The track starts from the National Parks Information Centre which is 5 minutes down the road from the Binna Burra campsite and lodge. The trend is set early with the track heading down the hill immediately. Within minutes we came upon this Eastern Yellow Robin stalking some insects.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOy81gELqQI/U3HjAqF0d8I/AAAAAAAADOo/6b1wLSO_-FQ/s1600/DSC02746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOy81gELqQI/U3HjAqF0d8I/AAAAAAAADOo/6b1wLSO_-FQ/s1600/DSC02746.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
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The highlight of the first half of the walk was the interesting rock features as the track follows a cliff line down the ridge. This staircase was carved out of the rock.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KtWB292ZpY/U3HjC80BvLI/AAAAAAAADOw/OMd_ylkK9A0/s1600/DSC02755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0KtWB292ZpY/U3HjC80BvLI/AAAAAAAADOw/OMd_ylkK9A0/s1600/DSC02755.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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The rough halfway point is marked by a waterfall trickling 40 or 50 metres into the beautiful rocky creek bed below; a great setting for a snack and a break before continuing down the slope. The track zig-zags back and forth maintaining an easy gradient before you reach a junction where the Illinbah Circuit continues straight while the left branch heads to the Coomera River and Gwongoorool Pool.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vSdxwc7YJw/U3HjLPacWiI/AAAAAAAADPI/FHPaoKFq2cg/s1600/DSC02798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vSdxwc7YJw/U3HjLPacWiI/AAAAAAAADPI/FHPaoKFq2cg/s1600/DSC02798.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPdw6nMRzYQ/U3HjOLjvDvI/AAAAAAAADPQ/Qzllvk9N1jw/s1600/DSC02812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPdw6nMRzYQ/U3HjOLjvDvI/AAAAAAAADPQ/Qzllvk9N1jw/s1600/DSC02812.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwongoorool Pool</td></tr>
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The pool itself would be a beautiful place for a dip in summer, but we were both too chicken to get in. I guess those stories about the giant eel with a taste for human flesh just stuck in my mind (or maybe it was just too cold). Surrounding the pool were numerous running cascades and after lunch we spent some time exploring up the river. We were not disappointed.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZvCtrcSBLQ/U3HjSDbzfJI/AAAAAAAADPg/5kn8OfPbxm0/s1600/DSC02845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZvCtrcSBLQ/U3HjSDbzfJI/AAAAAAAADPg/5kn8OfPbxm0/s1600/DSC02845.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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We eventually dragged ourselves away from the hypnotic pull of the tranquil setting and headed back the way we had come. If heading back to Brisbane you can take the scenic route home by heading left at the roundabout before Upper Beechmont and heading back through Canungra and then Beaudesert.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-77314261909701911452014-05-05T16:28:00.001-07:002014-05-07T03:51:24.571-07:00Gap Creek Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfOIL-Hs-5M/U2d7dfnNqAI/AAAAAAAADNY/skKbXeluVsk/s1600/DSC02644+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfOIL-Hs-5M/U2d7dfnNqAI/AAAAAAAADNY/skKbXeluVsk/s1600/DSC02644+Panorama.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Date: 13 April 2014</b><br />
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One of the last remaining track walks starting from Cunningham's Gap that Maree and I were yet to do was to Gap Creek Falls. I guess the thought of driving up the range only to walk back down again just never appealed to us. However, with overcast weather and cloud covering all the peaks we decided it was a good day to head down the range.<br />
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The track starts on the Cordeau side of Cunningham's Gap and heads to the lookout where you must make the decision to head up to Cordeau or head down to the falls. You notice the difference in the track quality straight away when it changes from wide paved track to a more natural bush surface; still very good quality though.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMEgrwzvbXw/U2d7YpSVsGI/AAAAAAAADNI/25XF87DWWJA/s1600/DSC02638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMEgrwzvbXw/U2d7YpSVsGI/AAAAAAAADNI/25XF87DWWJA/s1600/DSC02638.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The track zig-zag's down the range and you can get views back across to the highway and Mt. Mitchell through the trees at each of the first few turns. Unfortunately the serenity is slightly spoiled by noises of traffic for this first stage of the walk. The bird life was abundant so keep your eyes peeled and tread softly. We spotted a couple of Fruit Doves among others.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uruy0rMYOXk/U2d7bHT6jZI/AAAAAAAADNQ/mQYr5gVhJYc/s1600/DSC02642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uruy0rMYOXk/U2d7bHT6jZI/AAAAAAAADNQ/mQYr5gVhJYc/s1600/DSC02642.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The track picks its way down the slope, somehow finding a path between various steep sided gully's all the while maintaining a sustained but reasonably gradual slope. As you descend, the rainforest gives way to open grassy slopes before you get views of the first of two waterfalls. Not long after this you reach your destination of Gap Creek Falls. The view of the falls seen in the photo above can be reached by heading off the track to the left (mind the drop) before you make the final scramble down to the falls.<br />
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The top of the falls makes for a great lunch spot before returning the way that you came. On our return journey we spotted a few snakes including this beautiful big carpet python.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRZpLcwl8Vs/U2d7WbVdbwI/AAAAAAAADNA/pFWS08M-qqY/s1600/DSC02636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRZpLcwl8Vs/U2d7WbVdbwI/AAAAAAAADNA/pFWS08M-qqY/s1600/DSC02636.jpg" height="640" width="526" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-58225557682230860642014-02-12T05:18:00.000-08:002014-02-12T05:18:05.995-08:00Blog Updates<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/10772678116/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Flinders Peaks at Dawn by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Flinders Peaks at Dawn" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/10772678116_3ac2ce3f14_c.jpg" height="258" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flinders Peaks at Dawn</td></tr>
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You may have noticed a few changes to the blog recently. Firstly, the domain name has shed its blogspot wording and changed to just <a href="http://www.hikinginseqld.com/">www.hikinginseqld.com</a>. Second is a 'Find a Walk' page that you can see in the navigation bar above. Here you'll find a summary of the walks that I've mentioned throughout the blog. Hopefully this is a bit easier to navigate and can be used to find your next walk.<br />
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My plans for the year involve more of the same really. Climb, hike and camp as much as possible while taking photos and blogging about it along the way. Hopefully I can inspire you to get out and do the same, meanwhile increasing awareness and respect for the amazing corner of the world that we live in.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-81077179960932285442014-02-05T03:10:00.000-08:002014-02-10T18:44:16.582-08:00Cedar Creek Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-440JCFwxKqk/UvIQPsaZUYI/AAAAAAAADFk/toXDdGBIP-o/s1600/DSC01292-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-440JCFwxKqk/UvIQPsaZUYI/AAAAAAAADFk/toXDdGBIP-o/s1600/DSC01292-Edit-2.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Date: 2 Feb 2014</b><br />
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This past weekend we headed to the D'Aguilar National Park to do an off track walk along Cedar Creek. I say off track because there are no formal markings, however it is extremely hard to get lost while following the creek as it is wide and rocky for most of the way.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The walk starts at the end of the public access section of Cedar Creek Rd. where there is parking beside the road available as long as you beat the swimming hole crowds. From here you simply rock hop and walk up the creek finding the path of least resistance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5WNWtZuHTk/UvIQC4sg6vI/AAAAAAAADEs/CbBhsRa_XQM/s1600/DSC01238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J5WNWtZuHTk/UvIQC4sg6vI/AAAAAAAADEs/CbBhsRa_XQM/s1600/DSC01238.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Ck. near the start</td></tr>
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The first 20 minutes or so are a bit disheartening with all the graffiti and rubbish along the path. This is due to the large number of people that come to the area to swim in the beautiful rock pools. However, if you persist and push further upstream past the major swimming areas the creek is still in good condition and provides a beautiful setting for a walk.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLwLbaTThTI/UvIQGTFxx-I/AAAAAAAADE8/A_vpgUj-iLI/s1600/DSC01251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLwLbaTThTI/UvIQGTFxx-I/AAAAAAAADE8/A_vpgUj-iLI/s1600/DSC01251.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCt7TESdI9M/UvIQJD64DhI/AAAAAAAADFE/pHmaELaoLZM/s1600/DSC01265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCt7TESdI9M/UvIQJD64DhI/AAAAAAAADFE/pHmaELaoLZM/s1600/DSC01265.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_iD4LhDgAY/UvIQKlW1ZHI/AAAAAAAADFM/H5vFMSW8vCg/s1600/DSC01270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_iD4LhDgAY/UvIQKlW1ZHI/AAAAAAAADFM/H5vFMSW8vCg/s1600/DSC01270.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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For the most part the creek is easy to navigate. Some sections near the start have footpads worn by the crowds which bypass some large drops. Ignoring all of the minor creeks that enter Cedar is fairly obvious. There is only one spot where a major tributary enters from the left (facing upstream) and there is a small waterfall and cliff. This can be easily bypassed by heading up the wrong (left) branch then cutting back across to the right.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQHLI7b67mE/UvIQSYVK69I/AAAAAAAADFs/CxF_5V-c1EM/s1600/DSC01305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQHLI7b67mE/UvIQSYVK69I/AAAAAAAADFs/CxF_5V-c1EM/s1600/DSC01305.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vOU155PyBE/UvIQV0qD-JI/AAAAAAAADF8/rISk42R1TP0/s1600/DSC01322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vOU155PyBE/UvIQV0qD-JI/AAAAAAAADF8/rISk42R1TP0/s1600/DSC01322.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall to be bypassed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMd001wb91s/UvIQXyjcUpI/AAAAAAAADGE/9HgT6H3fZTM/s1600/DSC01328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMd001wb91s/UvIQXyjcUpI/AAAAAAAADGE/9HgT6H3fZTM/s1600/DSC01328.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large slabby section above the waterfall</td></tr>
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There are only a handful of easy scrambles required, otherwise it is fairly standard rock hopping.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMFgSGAWcDE/UvIQaaqjTKI/AAAAAAAADGM/_594YK45p_U/s1600/DSC01337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMFgSGAWcDE/UvIQaaqjTKI/AAAAAAAADGM/_594YK45p_U/s1600/DSC01337.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhgbzSEmnMQ/UvIQcc4fAPI/AAAAAAAADGU/BuraOi0hf2k/s1600/DSC01339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhgbzSEmnMQ/UvIQcc4fAPI/AAAAAAAADGU/BuraOi0hf2k/s1600/DSC01339.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some scrambling required</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnxFLoJDfJw/UvIQez_oXfI/AAAAAAAADGc/P4hHwsDliqs/s1600/DSC01347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnxFLoJDfJw/UvIQez_oXfI/AAAAAAAADGc/P4hHwsDliqs/s1600/DSC01347.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal clear water</td></tr>
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The falls themselves are hard to miss and a great lunch spot before the return journey. The top of the falls can be reached via a rocky slope to the right.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GdLf3rc288/UvIQghGeLZI/AAAAAAAADGk/q5tOyAFrYPk/s1600/DSC01356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GdLf3rc288/UvIQghGeLZI/AAAAAAAADGk/q5tOyAFrYPk/s1600/DSC01356.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Ck. Falls</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lIYav1ir8g/UvIQkThu_fI/AAAAAAAADG0/zavNgfB8QnI/s1600/DSC01369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lIYav1ir8g/UvIQkThu_fI/AAAAAAAADG0/zavNgfB8QnI/s1600/DSC01369.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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In total, the walk is roughly 3 - 3.5KM, however it can be slow going because of the rock hopping so allow plenty of time so you can enjoy the scenery. It is a beautiful spot if you can avoid the crowds and we are planning on investigating more of the creeks in the area so stay tuned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-15920842834673500282014-01-29T04:21:00.000-08:002014-04-21T01:09:54.427-07:00Purling Brook Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/12204099913_c0f968e429_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/12204099913_c0f968e429_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Date: 31/12/2013</b><br />
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Some bushwalks are popular for a reason. Often because the spectacular view to effort required to get there ratio is fairly high. The Purling Brook Falls walk in Springbrook N.P. definitely fills this quota. The falls themselves can be viewed from a lookout easily accessible from the carpark along a concrete path. However, things only get better as the walk progresses and to answer the question of one walker heading in the opposite direction as we were heading back up the hill... "Yes it is worth going down there".<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Once passing the lookout at the top of the escarpment the track heads down hill via a series of switchbacks and stairs; still all very wide and well formed. As the track descends the bush gives way to rainforest and a myriad of ferns, mosses and the wildlife contained within.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/12204118273/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC00424.jpg by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC00424.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/12204118273_a0f77502ce_b.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the wildlife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11679330855/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="On closer inspection... by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="On closer inspection..." src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/11679330855_1dbb681624_b.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maree Inspecting the Foliage</td></tr>
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On our way we came across skinks at every turn, some trapdoor spiders and little snake trying to escape the noise of our clomping boots. The track followed the base of a cliff where some amazing rock formations could be seen before eventually reaching the lookout near the base of Purling Brook Falls themselves. It was a bit of a disappointment seeing the storm damage to the track that prevents visitors from walking around behind the waterfall like we did on our previous visit though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/12204106813/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC00384.jpg by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC00384.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/12204106813_a678069b2e_b.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purling Brook Falls</td></tr>
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From here it is worth continuing along the track to Warringa Pool. Depending on the weather this can be a very popular swimming spot. We came across some Giant Stinging Trees at a creek crossing on this section of the track where we could see the beetles that eat the distinctive holes in the leaves of these trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/12204113373/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC00413.jpg by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC00413.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/12204113373_c2d8bac90a_b.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beetles munching on giant stinging trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11679577103/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wait-a-while by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Wait-a-while" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/11679577103_8ec72af1ec_b.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait-a-While</td></tr>
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After reaching the pools we decided that it wasn't hot enough for a swim and that we would continue rock hopping down the creek to find a good spot for lunch. It is rare that you aren't rewarded by putting in a bit of extra effort to explore an area in the bush and even on a busy walk such as this it is easy to find a spot where all you can hear is the water in the creek.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/12067906665/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Rocky Creek by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Rocky Creek" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/12067906665_7a64ca505d_b.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
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After finishing a leisurely lunch we headed back the way we had come feeling thoroughly refreshed and ready for the new year ahead. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-24941476701770600462013-11-26T03:44:00.001-08:002014-02-10T18:44:16.552-08:00No ExcusesThere really is no excuse for not getting out in the bush in S.E. Queensland when it is just so damn easy. Well, except for maybe the odd hail storm or two that we've had lately.<br />
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This past weekend Maree and I decided to head to the J.C. Slaughter Falls picnic area to fit in a quick walk between other engagements. This is part of the Mt Coot-tha Reserve which is maintained by the Brisbane City Council (more information <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/natural-environment/bushland-parklands-wetlands/natural-areas/reserves-wetlands-parklands-and-forests/mt-coot-tha-reserve/index.htm" target="_blank">here</a>). We decided to head up Ithaca Creek to try and get away from most of the crowds, so started on the summit track but headed up stream as soon as we hit the creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023372346/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Spiney by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Spiney" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/11023372346_6988d684b4_z.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spikey grass trees along the creek</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The creek was fairly clear from debris and had a minor flow despite the heavy rain lately. The rocks were slippery though so take care if you're heading out after rain. Within 10 or 15 minutes you get to the base of J.C. Slaughter Falls. The falls themselves aren't the most impressive but still provide a nice spot to have morning tea at their top. This can be easily reached from the base by a small scramble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023455904/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="J.C. Slaughter Falls, Mt. Cootha by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="J.C. Slaughter Falls, Mt. Cootha" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/11023455904_8880156134_z.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J.C. Slaughter Falls</td></tr>
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This little walk was also a test for a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens that I picked up last week to compare to the Pentax equivalent. The Tamron is highly regarded for its sharpness and flare control. Two aspects which are important to me, and if it can do a similar job to the Pentax DA* for a third of the price it's win-win. These are a couple of comparison shots I took. The first is the Tamron, the second is the Pentax. You be the judge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023463254/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Seed Pod Tamron by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Seed Pod Tamron" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/11023463254_08da2a5d25_z.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamron Shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023301535/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Seed Pod Pentax by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Seed Pod Pentax" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/11023301535_e6250991d0_z.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pentax Shot</td></tr>
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We continued on from the falls until we reached our half way time mark and a couple of bends in the creek. After taking a few more photos we headed back the way we'd come. This reserve has plenty to give you your bush fix virtually in the middle of the city and we'll be back to further explore the area.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023295355/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ithaca Creek by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Ithaca Creek" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11023295355_96bbeb7e85_z.jpg" height="307" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ithaca Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98582016@N03/11023469544/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Baby Pine by CameronS884, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby Pine" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/11023469544_90b1f31b06_z.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-64147203087883651502013-09-17T22:45:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.575-08:00A New Perspective on Girraween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJihGidJ6Sw/Ui27YDgTpjI/AAAAAAAACrM/R5dG4bFsjFg/s1600/IMGP2405_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJihGidJ6Sw/Ui27YDgTpjI/AAAAAAAACrM/R5dG4bFsjFg/s640/IMGP2405_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Date: 5 - 8 September 2013</b><br />
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Those who have kept an eye on this blog will probably have realised by now that Girraween is a favourite place of mine. This time a birthday trip was on the cards so Maree and I took a couple of days off work to make it a super long weekend, invited a few friends and off we went.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Arriving at the Bald Rock Creek campsite on a Thursday was a good idea because we basically got the pick of the sites and had a nice relaxing couple of days on our own before the park got busy for the weekend. After setting up camp we spent the afternoon lazing around the campsite and creek taking some photos. We were lucky enough to spot an Echidna down at the creek.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOovL-a74zc/Ui26yO7S6JI/AAAAAAAACrM/r-tKNlNCRmY/s1600/IMGP2213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FOovL-a74zc/Ui26yO7S6JI/AAAAAAAACrM/r-tKNlNCRmY/s640/IMGP2213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As well as a Kookaburra taking in the afternoon light and a Superb Fairywren admiring itself in the car window and mirrors.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEihrMe-rBo/Ui26uI-hP6I/AAAAAAAACrM/pL-e-Bv6vYU/s1600/IMGP2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEihrMe-rBo/Ui26uI-hP6I/AAAAAAAACrM/pL-e-Bv6vYU/s640/IMGP2129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The plan for this trip was to find some new places and make a bit more of an effort to see a different side of the park. We made the first step towards this goal by getting up at 3:30 on Friday morning to get to the top of the First Pyramid for sunrise. We were very pleased with ourselves when we arrived at the summit by 5:30. Just in time for the first morning colours to start showing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdBpXKtaUTE/Ui265ZjSoiI/AAAAAAAACrM/oEHRiKSOy0A/s1600/IMGP2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdBpXKtaUTE/Ui265ZjSoiI/AAAAAAAACrM/oEHRiKSOy0A/s640/IMGP2252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balancing Rock Silhouette</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JigU7GL65PI/Ui26-jNourI/AAAAAAAACrM/QWv0MH2qlU8/s1600/IMGP2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JigU7GL65PI/Ui26-jNourI/AAAAAAAACrM/QWv0MH2qlU8/s640/IMGP2294.JPG" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Colours on the Granite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDMrMN6SAs0/Ui27AH0-vGI/AAAAAAAACrM/x7cNtjrbo8Q/s1600/IMGP2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDMrMN6SAs0/Ui27AH0-vGI/AAAAAAAACrM/x7cNtjrbo8Q/s640/IMGP2316.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balancing Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFX1pdUO-Ug/Ui27GrxZkCI/AAAAAAAACrM/Vt9Baf82s9c/s1600/IMGP2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFX1pdUO-Ug/Ui27GrxZkCI/AAAAAAAACrM/Vt9Baf82s9c/s640/IMGP2349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Pyramid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upBjEdAT6hg/Ui27PTt7U4I/AAAAAAAACrM/DnJmrEw2RkY/s1600/IMGP2367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upBjEdAT6hg/Ui27PTt7U4I/AAAAAAAACrM/DnJmrEw2RkY/s640/IMGP2367.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maree Enjoying the View</td></tr>
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Step two in exploring new ground was to head to Aztec Temple on Saturday with some friends. I can't believe that we've never visited this amazing spot. Especially given how easy it is to access. From Underground Creek you head to the right to get up on to the slabs above the creek. From here you head off the back to a fire trail. You then simply head up the gradual ridge behind this until you reach these amazing granite formations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp8x1tyTB4w/Ui277alWWiI/AAAAAAAACrM/NBgCY1f0_rY/s1600/IMGP2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp8x1tyTB4w/Ui277alWWiI/AAAAAAAACrM/NBgCY1f0_rY/s640/IMGP2573.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Pillar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpJXXamqMHg/Ui27_0rS5-I/AAAAAAAACrM/NaDx-Omqxmo/s1600/IMGP2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpJXXamqMHg/Ui27_0rS5-I/AAAAAAAACrM/NaDx-Omqxmo/s640/IMGP2621.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapping off at Sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fI1_w1brSGk/Ui28AUtUmXI/AAAAAAAACrM/05oIQAWvxVY/s1600/IMGP2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fI1_w1brSGk/Ui28AUtUmXI/AAAAAAAACrM/05oIQAWvxVY/s640/IMGP2632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from Aztec Temple</td></tr>
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Our final morning was spent exploring The Cascades. This is another area that I had never visited and only discovered by reading the walks mentioned in the Hema topographic map that is available from the information centre in Stanthorpe. It is reached by heading off track to the right just before Dr. Roberts Waterhole. There is a fairly well formed, though overgrown, track for most of the way there and essentially follows the creek (crossing over once) until it opens up to granite slabs.<br />
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This is another easily accessed but stunning location and easily matches The Junction for rock formations and water features.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9X6-7mR-vs/Ui28CL23WAI/AAAAAAAACrM/3dIsjnUKAZQ/s1600/IMGP2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9X6-7mR-vs/Ui28CL23WAI/AAAAAAAACrM/3dIsjnUKAZQ/s640/IMGP2640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Roberts Waterhole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/9723876164_ac059056be_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/9723876164_ac059056be_c.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Cascade</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/9721685089_e375d43015_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/9721685089_e375d43015_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minor Cascade</td></tr>
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After taking some photos and having a snack we reluctantly packed up and headed for home. Girraween just keeps on surprising us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXblrOJnbgg/Ui28TolhFSI/AAAAAAAACrM/edW5PWvAjtU/s1600/IMGP2723_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXblrOJnbgg/Ui28TolhFSI/AAAAAAAACrM/edW5PWvAjtU/s640/IMGP2723_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus Photo: Mt. French and Frog Buttress in the afternoon light on the trip home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-77845972549092102022013-08-15T21:34:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.579-08:00Goolman Lookout<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyK6ShujEMI/Ugs7DR-ioyI/AAAAAAAACcw/5SASlKZQ5NQ/s1600/IMGP1899_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyK6ShujEMI/Ugs7DR-ioyI/AAAAAAAACcw/5SASlKZQ5NQ/s640/IMGP1899_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardings Paddock Picnic Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Date: 14 Aug 2013</b><br />
Having been very busy working on the house recently I was glad to get out for a leisurely walk on the Ekka public holiday. Maree gave me the idea of heading to the Hardings Paddock picnic area within the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate as she was out there last week for work. We had previously done the Flinders Peak walk and at the time noted some of the other smaller peaks in the region but never had a chance to go back.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Conservation Estates are the local council's version of a National Park, this one being administered by the City of Ipswich. The Flinders-Goolman Estate is set up as a multi-use park for bike and horse riders as well as walkers. This means that the tracks are generally wider and less graded than dedicated walking tracks. More information about this area can be found in <a href="http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/documents/health/flinders-goolman_trails_guide.pdf" target="_blank">this</a> PDF.<br />
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For my walk I decided to head to the Goolman Lookout and back via the Rocky Outcrop. The track starts next to the information board at the Hardings Paddock Picnic Area which itself can be accessed via the turnoff from Ipswich-Boonah Rd. I recommend printing out the above PDF or at least downloading it to your phone as the track signage is a little vague in places. Especially on the route back via Rocky Outcrop.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gstpWluNJM/Ugs62kgrLgI/AAAAAAAACck/UiRptiPA2sM/s1600/IMGP1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gstpWluNJM/Ugs62kgrLgI/AAAAAAAACck/UiRptiPA2sM/s640/IMGP1822.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tongue Fungus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Winter, it seems, has come and gone and I'm sure temperatures would have been close to 30 as I set off. The walking was pleasant and passed through open Eucalypt forest and crossed various dry creek beds. The terrain undulates gradually until you reach the first of a few climbs. The gradient isn't too bad but you'll want to make sure you have plenty of water and good footwear as they are fairly sustained and the ground is loose.<br />
<br />
The major climb brings you to the top of the ridge which then leads up to the Goolman Lookout. Although promising "spectacular views" I think the peak has grown over a lot and there were only glimpses of Mt. Goolman and Ivory's Rock.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkBMgD1z4bI/Ugs64TLxDBI/AAAAAAAACcg/GFgTxfmCCf8/s1600/IMGP1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkBMgD1z4bI/Ugs64TLxDBI/AAAAAAAACcg/GFgTxfmCCf8/s640/IMGP1835.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivory's Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On returning to the junction where the track meets the ridge I continued straight ahead and followed the ridge around to the left to eventually reach Rocky Outcrop. There was no signage or track to lead up onto the outcrop if approaching from this direction, however it was fairly obvious where to go. If you miss it, there is a sign once you pass it. The view here was very overgrown though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYk_DDU1yC4/Ugs6z-_qCiI/AAAAAAAACcU/c8-F4PAELMI/s1600/IMGP1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYk_DDU1yC4/Ugs6z-_qCiI/AAAAAAAACcU/c8-F4PAELMI/s640/IMGP1873.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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From here I followed the track downhill passing through a couple of gates before heading left at an unmarked junction to take the most direct path back to the picnic area. Just in time for the rain to start. Must be summer already...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-25613705768652289012013-07-18T17:51:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.554-08:00Another Day at Frog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NswaGAxPBB8/Ub1zNl7lLJI/AAAAAAAACNY/XMh8MeusdDg/w1597-h968-no/IMGP1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NswaGAxPBB8/Ub1zNl7lLJI/AAAAAAAACNY/XMh8MeusdDg/w1597-h968-no/IMGP1697.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An all too familiar scene for those heading to Frog on the weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Climbers, as would many people involved in a specialised hobby/sport, have their own language. Whether it's talking about gear, describing a route or simply talking about where they went on the weekend, it is part of what forms a community around an activity. My brother and I have to be careful at family gatherings as we will talk at length about anything climbing related, essentially excluding the rest of the table from the conversation. My Wife, despite not climbing herself, has also been forced to learn the language and these days is also quite fluent.<br />
<br />
When answering the question of "what did you do on the weekend?", one response sure to baffle all but the dedicated climber (or climbers spouse...or the occasional bushwalker) is: "We had a great day at Frog on Saturday". Firstly, is Frog a place? If so, where is it and what do you do there?<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Frog Buttress is located on Mt. French near Boonah. For bushwalkers it is probably the most uninteresting of the Moogerah Peaks as there aren't any significant walking tracks and it isn't the highest. You can even drive to the top. To climbers though, it holds a whole other meaning. One that keeps them coming back weekend after weekend through Winter and even Summer for the crazier ones. It has some of the best and most accessible crack climbing in the country.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTKSHYDEdvs/TqSVXJ7sj8I/AAAAAAAACNg/nWvSFNkhwVs/w1598-h971-no/IMG_0129_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTKSHYDEdvs/TqSVXJ7sj8I/AAAAAAAACNg/nWvSFNkhwVs/w1598-h971-no/IMG_0129_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a kind crack climbing</td></tr>
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Over the last few weeks and months I have been updating some of my photography gear. One main purpose of which was to start trying to take some better photos of climbers and climbing. This purpose has lead me to stick with the Pentax brand for their weather sealed bodies and lenses (in addition to their many other great features) and purchase an 18-135mm lens to try and avoid needing multiple lenses while up the wall. I also purchased a Black Rapid Strap and a small case to keep the camera attached to me at all times.<br />
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Anyway, enough words. Here are a selection of my favourites from the last couple of trips. There is still a lot to learn but it was great fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTjS5tHBxicY0SX6tix_X2b7nmr2yJ3WWYBDXiWy5EjcWaoVnT4bq0wGbC0iWW7xzPw4GoLqQ0O5eHeWXu9zOhj5_sWgX3fNZS4zwQ45WQ3xaRbO77jCsNRapNvOBcJSGX-H53gBKf2Ua/s1600/IMGP0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTjS5tHBxicY0SX6tix_X2b7nmr2yJ3WWYBDXiWy5EjcWaoVnT4bq0wGbC0iWW7xzPw4GoLqQ0O5eHeWXu9zOhj5_sWgX3fNZS4zwQ45WQ3xaRbO77jCsNRapNvOBcJSGX-H53gBKf2Ua/s640/IMGP0580.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom climbing Gladiator (18)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3y-WEE2AZhBHPjCdtkXA0RlBesvwqPpRCRMqYAiS8FarY4QOTesLAyOFhFXh5HIyHAlznr2i1poQx-cXZ7QvmFwUScfmsRia64IIHk5eY4-MdKxwwKKYIje9vG-RdIV9rlVmmCYWmEVf/s1600/IMGP0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3y-WEE2AZhBHPjCdtkXA0RlBesvwqPpRCRMqYAiS8FarY4QOTesLAyOFhFXh5HIyHAlznr2i1poQx-cXZ7QvmFwUScfmsRia64IIHk5eY4-MdKxwwKKYIje9vG-RdIV9rlVmmCYWmEVf/s640/IMGP0610.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott seconding Gladiator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiKVRKce64hPykoyfg5VlDfgz4_dHfEsadDaf1quGE44MgTxO85I3nVqqm0OicoFeOzga49IxPtVltSY1O1rR-rWylrmaLKsyn6zhzfh1QwD6hGMhZy-N7f6vJrV8texTkyoRtCdKDHG8/s1600/IMGP0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiKVRKce64hPykoyfg5VlDfgz4_dHfEsadDaf1quGE44MgTxO85I3nVqqm0OicoFeOzga49IxPtVltSY1O1rR-rWylrmaLKsyn6zhzfh1QwD6hGMhZy-N7f6vJrV8texTkyoRtCdKDHG8/s640/IMGP0644.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom leading Conquistador (21)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8AXJ0KzT9tf8USA5rqXq86WjnQ4aJ8ml1sD20KZF6lsv-tEL74-eCfJ-8Z-B96URgUTrsFXlCEy8mMpb5Nx8VfkCtMkI6o0kM6F7eprf-ld6bMvo8GJ1LAD4sDrSgt08sBDBvOYsIusM/s1600/IMGP0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8AXJ0KzT9tf8USA5rqXq86WjnQ4aJ8ml1sD20KZF6lsv-tEL74-eCfJ-8Z-B96URgUTrsFXlCEy8mMpb5Nx8VfkCtMkI6o0kM6F7eprf-ld6bMvo8GJ1LAD4sDrSgt08sBDBvOYsIusM/s640/IMGP0654.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conquistador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqmWDMvQkQifuxEiAcb1rV899q-_kmL2o2rvd8GSvwnHuVKpF95dip-mGe1trT6PoqQlz7hoKwm_rap2PlaAjSCc20i9lEdB5OlFKdHnpq1i0YHFlt8RlEAqGK1Se8WEtPT5GFNbue0yT/s1600/IMGP0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqmWDMvQkQifuxEiAcb1rV899q-_kmL2o2rvd8GSvwnHuVKpF95dip-mGe1trT6PoqQlz7hoKwm_rap2PlaAjSCc20i9lEdB5OlFKdHnpq1i0YHFlt8RlEAqGK1Se8WEtPT5GFNbue0yT/s640/IMGP0666.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conquistador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And lastly, the other reason I love Frog. Getting into the bush, and observing little guys like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMiy5ttd3qMNf4bkHPSp8DfPE8Xj702QYv1j3GBDKziD3_pYJbXI4FReMbwjF96IaoCgDCTcy7Y_oYYSO5k0QzWXdE7_en1O-bXDpUfVyT6S5Qvok1HSVcWul4pjpNpUuJAILbaGuNze6/s1600/IMGP0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMiy5ttd3qMNf4bkHPSp8DfPE8Xj702QYv1j3GBDKziD3_pYJbXI4FReMbwjF96IaoCgDCTcy7Y_oYYSO5k0QzWXdE7_en1O-bXDpUfVyT6S5Qvok1HSVcWul4pjpNpUuJAILbaGuNze6/s640/IMGP0631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-37180776051816504122013-06-11T21:39:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.564-08:00Good Times at Urbenville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<b>Date: 8 - 9 June 2013</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
As local readers are well aware, the weather in the South-East Corner (and no-doubt beyond) hasn't been the best lately. Apart from short cold spells, Winter hasn't really hit yet and the rain has stayed well past its welcome for this time of year. This has made climbing and walking opportunities few and far between. We were determined to get out and do something over the recent long weekend though, and the destination was Urbenville just south of the border.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Tom and I got going by 6 on Saturday morning in his newly inherited Forester loaded with our quick getaway kit plus climbing gear. A good tip to help you get away to the bush for a weekend or a single night is to have a kit packed up most of the time ready to go. This makes the burden of packing and unpacking for a trip much easier to bear. I'll go into this further in an upcoming post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8m0Rew_hPy0/UbV6hGU2F5I/AAAAAAAAByI/hsrVqxZDkaQ/s1600/IMGP1517_hdr.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8m0Rew_hPy0/UbV6hGU2F5I/AAAAAAAAByI/hsrVqxZDkaQ/s640/IMGP1517_hdr.tif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crown near Urbenville</td></tr>
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The route to Urbenville from Brisbane passes through Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Woodenbong and is a beautiful drive through mountain scenery past Mt. Barney, Mt. Lindsay and over the Border Ranges. We arrived at the Tooloom Falls campsite by about 8:30 and were pleasantly surprised with the grassy campsites and awesome location at the top of Tooloom Falls. Unfortunately the weather didn't look great.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DjUjjjqDYc/UbV6H7jB0pI/AAAAAAAABxA/F84hZRhgCc0/s1600/IMGP1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DjUjjjqDYc/UbV6H7jB0pI/AAAAAAAABxA/F84hZRhgCc0/s640/IMGP1616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite above the falls</td></tr>
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There are two main climbing locations in the area. The first one being The Pines which is accessed from the campsite and the second being The Crown on the other side of town. After checking out the sketchy wade across the top of the waterfall to get to The Pines we thought we'd head back and check out the other crag. This is where things went down hill. On the way back to the main road the car konked out and wouldn't start again. Long story short, the car ended up back in Woodenbong waiting for a car trailer pickup the next day and we ended up back at the campsite at around 3:30 thanks to lifts from our friends Paul and Bridget who showed up just in time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnyHEIhJHkQ/UbV51bh2DiI/AAAAAAAABu8/-ejIdxgsuug/s1600/IMGP1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnyHEIhJHkQ/UbV51bh2DiI/AAAAAAAABu8/-ejIdxgsuug/s640/IMGP1542.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos of the corn fields surrounding us while waiting for the NRMA truck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mhB6u3orZo/UbV57JrllAI/AAAAAAAABvo/rMOKM96q104/s1600/IMGP1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mhB6u3orZo/UbV57JrllAI/AAAAAAAABvo/rMOKM96q104/s640/IMGP1559.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mossy fencepost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0myZS-PVRIU/UbV59UuZg-I/AAAAAAAABv4/g5PYk4m8xvM/s1600/IMGP1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0myZS-PVRIU/UbV59UuZg-I/AAAAAAAABv4/g5PYk4m8xvM/s640/IMGP1573.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old farm shed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once back at the campsite Tom and I headed for The Pines crag to see if we could fit in one climb before dark. Crossing the top of the waterfall and turning right on the forestry roads, as per the climbing guide's instructions, led us to the crag in about 25 minutes where there was luckily a group of climbers finishing up who were able to point us to some climbs straight away without the usual task of orientating yourself on the wall.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlizS3vmahQ/UbV6AwjIunI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ocd8re94m7I/s1600/IMGP1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlizS3vmahQ/UbV6AwjIunI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ocd8re94m7I/s640/IMGP1590.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to The Pines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gH4mL2je4EY/UbV6Dgx1o9I/AAAAAAAABwk/Oc01gJksUY8/s1600/IMGP1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gH4mL2je4EY/UbV6Dgx1o9I/AAAAAAAABwk/Oc01gJksUY8/s640/IMGP1599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pines crag</td></tr>
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It's always interesting climbing somewhere new. The rock was a course conglomerate providing rough grippy bits combined with glass smooth (and in this case slimey) edges. The climbing style was slab and our Girraween techniques came in use. Repeat after me: trust the feet, trust the feet, trust the feet... It will be great to get back there with more time and better weather, but we still had a blast and thanks to our companions arrived back at camp to a nice warm fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rm6uXdcG17Q/UbV6CUhO1VI/AAAAAAAABwY/GdQ-GMsWUiA/s1600/IMGP1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rm6uXdcG17Q/UbV6CUhO1VI/AAAAAAAABwY/GdQ-GMsWUiA/s640/IMGP1602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campfire in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5vdd9ZpeZE/UbV6Fdeqx-I/AAAAAAAABww/mZgxr4uLz7k/s1600/IMGP1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5vdd9ZpeZE/UbV6Fdeqx-I/AAAAAAAABww/mZgxr4uLz7k/s640/IMGP1606.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campfire in the rain</td></tr>
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We spent the evening trying to keep the fire going in the rain and adding a few new verses to Paul's climbing song. The rain continued for most of the night but the Scarp 2 kept us nice and dry. The next day was spent taking a few photos, retrieving the car and making a slow trip back to Brisbane at the car trailers max speed of 80km/h. Not quite how we pictured the weekend, but an adventure none-the-less. Can't wait to get back to this lovely part of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ojTUh2obSq0/UbV6M2ZvwJI/AAAAAAAABxg/A2GWQ_RHgJA/s1600/IMGP1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ojTUh2obSq0/UbV6M2ZvwJI/AAAAAAAABxg/A2GWQ_RHgJA/s640/IMGP1630.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The causeway at the top of the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipAfPVlmZTY/UbV6MtKmMcI/AAAAAAAABxc/x6L_OB6b8Hk/s1600/IMGP1636+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipAfPVlmZTY/UbV6MtKmMcI/AAAAAAAABxc/x6L_OB6b8Hk/s640/IMGP1636+%25282%2529.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water over the causeway</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qODmNirSbZI/UbV6QA6CLUI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/5Q2cKc2Ml6Y/s1600/IMGP1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qODmNirSbZI/UbV6QA6CLUI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/5Q2cKc2Ml6Y/s640/IMGP1642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-25950061187493254942013-05-28T22:36:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.556-08:00Another Week in Tasmania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuLkkRTn8-k/UYElvgthmOI/AAAAAAAACMg/rLvWzTq7v8g/w1358-h669-no/Honeymoon+Bay_panorama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuLkkRTn8-k/UYElvgthmOI/AAAAAAAACMg/rLvWzTq7v8g/w1358-h669-no/Honeymoon+Bay_panorama5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Date: 14 - 22 April 2013</b><br />
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As mentioned in my previous post, I managed to get down to Tassy twice this year and this would be my second trip. This time was for my honeymoon with my beautiful wife Maree and once again The Apple Isle didn't dissapoint. The itinerary for the trip included Freycinet Peninsular (again), Tasman Peninsular, Bruny Island and Hobart.<br />
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<b>Freycinet Peninsular</b><br />
This place just has a certain magnetism for me. I'm not sure exactly what it is about it, but every time I've been it has been a struggle to leave. That first view of The Hazards from the road into Coles Bay gets you every time and it has that perfect combination of activities and quietness that I enjoy (except if you do the Wineglass Bay track).<br />
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This time round we did a Kayak tour on Coles Bay and finally did the Wineglass Bay track. The track heads up the saddle between Mt. Amos and Mt. Mayson and is akin to a highway. It even has one track for people heading up and one for people heading down. It is popular for a reason though with great views of the surrounding mountains and Coles Bay on the way to the Wineglass Bay Lookout sitting in the saddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDkDDeE50qM/UYErKkzVTjI/AAAAAAAACkM/LdFeUfPZNfc/w1357-h723-no/Wineglass+Bay_panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDkDDeE50qM/UYErKkzVTjI/AAAAAAAACkM/LdFeUfPZNfc/w1357-h723-no/Wineglass+Bay_panorama1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards Coles Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n960a7jUZ8w/UYEppj7E2oI/AAAAAAAACbc/Jy17fVwNFXc/w1293-h859-no/IMGP9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n960a7jUZ8w/UYEppj7E2oI/AAAAAAAACbc/Jy17fVwNFXc/w1293-h859-no/IMGP9988.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Mayson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8MOT83bGlE/UYErRaLH0cI/AAAAAAAACkk/s_Z4mz84rV0/w928-h859-no/Wineglass+Bay_panorama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8MOT83bGlE/UYErRaLH0cI/AAAAAAAACkk/s_Z4mz84rV0/w928-h859-no/Wineglass+Bay_panorama5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wineglass Bay from the lookout</td></tr>
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The track from the lookout down to the bay itself was much quieter and a bit rougher. Well worth the extra 45 minutes or so to get there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-135C4cR4sNw/UYEprmHAMiI/AAAAAAAACbs/Q0bLdxM5jy8/w1293-h859-no/IMGP9992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-135C4cR4sNw/UYEprmHAMiI/AAAAAAAACbs/Q0bLdxM5jy8/w1293-h859-no/IMGP9992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower on the track</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSJRUCblGo/UYEl0LdTNEI/AAAAAAAACM4/uUzVAngszLQ/w570-h858-no/IMGP0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSSJRUCblGo/UYEl0LdTNEI/AAAAAAAACM4/uUzVAngszLQ/w570-h858-no/IMGP0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was very inquisitive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvXD7ViJjvM/UYEp7p7jRWI/AAAAAAAACdE/6OlvlD-EQ7E/w644-h859-no/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvXD7ViJjvM/UYEp7p7jRWI/AAAAAAAACdE/6OlvlD-EQ7E/w644-h859-no/IMG_0087.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wineglass Bay</td></tr>
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The beautiful weather continued for us the next day for the kayak tour. The tour departed from the boat ramp and headed across Coles Bay to Honeymoon Bay and back along the coastline. Highly recommended for a unique view of the bay and the mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLMtjTPe6Pg/UYEqICETCxI/AAAAAAAACeM/CEA3fZmya3A/w1146-h859-no/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLMtjTPe6Pg/UYEqICETCxI/AAAAAAAACeM/CEA3fZmya3A/w1146-h859-no/IMG_0157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning views of the mountains from the water</td></tr>
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<b>Bruny Island:</b><br />
We first heard of Bruny Island after buying the cheese made there at the Salamanca Markets a few years ago. The plan for our two days there was a wildlife adventure cruise and of course a walk. The cruise left Adventure Bay and headed out and around Penguin Island and into the Southern Ocean. The weather was fairly dark and wild but we had a blast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhfHJoZVwww/UYEnVG5tueI/AAAAAAAACS4/VSFg2yzR0aE/w570-h858-no/IMGP0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhfHJoZVwww/UYEnVG5tueI/AAAAAAAACS4/VSFg2yzR0aE/w570-h858-no/IMGP0261.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluted Cape past Penguin Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEGLJ6EvKxU/UYEnuxUkFcI/AAAAAAAACUI/G9AC_zTNi-o/w570-h858-no/IMGP0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEGLJ6EvKxU/UYEnuxUkFcI/AAAAAAAACUI/G9AC_zTNi-o/w570-h858-no/IMGP0305.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough Seas</td></tr>
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The next morning the weather held off long enough for us to do the Fluted Cape circuit. The walk first heads for Grassy Point along nice and flat terrain with signs along the way describing the past whaling industry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paTTK1M_yg0/UYEqa2jEMFI/AAAAAAAACf0/9tg0wPr9nmk/w644-h859-no/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paTTK1M_yg0/UYEqa2jEMFI/AAAAAAAACf0/9tg0wPr9nmk/w644-h859-no/IMG_0225.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His and Hers Cairns</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkAIIzAyGiE/UYEqdjGNFXI/AAAAAAAACgE/C7L-Eg9HiIM/w1146-h859-no/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkAIIzAyGiE/UYEqdjGNFXI/AAAAAAAACgE/C7L-Eg9HiIM/w1146-h859-no/IMG_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popular spot for it</td></tr>
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From Grassy Point the track follows the coastline and heads steeply up hill above the fluted cliffs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JDukzqoK3M/UYElqfccbxI/AAAAAAAACMA/UEezgo6RSn4/w687-h859-no/Fluted+Cliffs_panorama7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JDukzqoK3M/UYElqfccbxI/AAAAAAAACMA/UEezgo6RSn4/w687-h859-no/Fluted+Cliffs_panorama7.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Fluted Cape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Deq-mXv_GCQ/UYEoQ2w0FfI/AAAAAAAACVo/Tkb0KtGmqpk/w570-h858-no/IMGP0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Deq-mXv_GCQ/UYEoQ2w0FfI/AAAAAAAACVo/Tkb0KtGmqpk/w570-h858-no/IMGP0464.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bennett's Wallaby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iB-IsQXfw0/UYEodiD3ySI/AAAAAAAACWI/R5dfdISlMIw/w570-h858-no/IMGP0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iB-IsQXfw0/UYEodiD3ySI/AAAAAAAACWI/R5dfdISlMIw/w570-h858-no/IMGP0471.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from near the top</td></tr>
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The wind was blowing hard when we reached the top of the cape, so we hung around only long enough to take some quick snaps before following the track away from the coast and back down through open forest to the start. The gradient was much more gentle on this section than on the way up.<br />
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<b>Hobart:</b><br />
We spent the final few days in Hobart where we spent most of the time eating. We did find time in between stuffing our faces to make the drive up Mt. Wellington though. We hoped to be there for a gap in the clouds but unfortunately didn't get a clear view from the top. There was some snow though and we got some great views of the Organ Pipes and back down to Hobart from the circuit walk starting at The Springs carpark.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Xx81pdRQmQ/UYEq591nQGI/AAAAAAAACi8/R_4A2Zrd-II/w1358-h471-no/Mt+Wellington_panorama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Xx81pdRQmQ/UYEq591nQGI/AAAAAAAACi8/R_4A2Zrd-II/w1358-h471-no/Mt+Wellington_panorama3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobart below the clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2rQkxYF95s/UYEo6jmadOI/AAAAAAAACXo/rUe3XlOc174/w570-h858-no/IMGP0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2rQkxYF95s/UYEo6jmadOI/AAAAAAAACXo/rUe3XlOc174/w570-h858-no/IMGP0569.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunnel of trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgsScfaJjF0/UYEpC1VL1oI/AAAAAAAACYA/guzgbrfmU2U/w570-h858-no/IMGP0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgsScfaJjF0/UYEpC1VL1oI/AAAAAAAACYA/guzgbrfmU2U/w570-h858-no/IMGP0578.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Organ Pipes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE206lYtEVQ/UYEpK-SsZPI/AAAAAAAACY4/UqCgOf4614k/w1293-h859-no/IMGP0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE206lYtEVQ/UYEpK-SsZPI/AAAAAAAACY4/UqCgOf4614k/w1293-h859-no/IMGP0592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds trying to catch up to us</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-21345164263610997822013-04-23T20:00:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.547-08:00Two Weeks in Tasmania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3fzm6Em524/UT6ajVXnnZI/AAAAAAAABUc/rwLLg1Z6E10/s1600/IMG_1448_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3fzm6Em524/UT6ajVXnnZI/AAAAAAAABUc/rwLLg1Z6E10/s640/IMG_1448_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Date: 23 February - 10 March 2013</b><br />
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I first visited Tasmania in 2008 with Maree. We spent a week touring in a campervan and we loved the place. I've been wanting to get back there ever since and this year I'll be lucky enough to get down there twice. The first trip was with Tom and we spent two weeks walking and climbing at Ben Lomond, Freycinet Peninsula and Mt. Field.<br />
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Note: As usual be sure to click on the photos to see the full resolution version. They come out a bit blurry when reduced in size.<br />
Note 2: This is a fairly extended trip report so it might be best to grab a coffee first. ;)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>After booking the flights late last year I spent hours pouring over climbing guides and forums trying to figure out the best places for us to visit. We wanted to climb in places unique to the area compared to S.E. Qld, so the obvious choices were sea cliffs and big crack climbs. Therefore Ben Lomond would be our first destination.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullfighter Buttress & Frews Flutes at Ben Lomond</td></tr>
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After flying into Launceston we filled our little Hyundai Getz hire car to the brim with around 70kg of climbing and camping gear and food and headed straight to "The Ben". Unfortunately the Tassy weather was already upon us and on our arrival at Carr Villa we were greeted with an amazing view of at least 20 metres. Nevertheless we set up shop in the climbers hut and hoped for better weather the next day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carr Villa and the view</td></tr>
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Someone was listening...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the same spot the next day</td></tr>
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<b>Climbing </b><br />
The first thing we learnt, which would become a bit of a recurring theme for the trip, was that Tasmanian climbers don't shy away from a difficult approach. The boulder field that you have to cross to get to virtually any of the crags at The Ben is like something from another world. Endless massive boulders which on their own would have made an exciting day walk, but with 15 - 20kg of gear on our backs became a bit of a chore.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards Snake Buttress and The Pavillion</td></tr>
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The climbing at the other end didn't dissapoint though. We hopped on an 18 at Bullfighter buttress and were immediately humiliated by the off hand to fist cracks with virtually no face features for relief. We had read about what to expect, but it's a whole other thing when actually faced with it. I'm sure our persistence with early morning crack climbing practise at Frog Buttress trying to avoid the heat in the weeks leading up to the trip helped but it didn't really feel like it at the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18</td></tr>
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Once arriving at the top we were then faced with the walk back down the decent gully followed by the walk back to the car across the boulders. We slept well that night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the walk back</td></tr>
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<b>Moving Camp</b><br />
The next day we were faced with poor weather again. Optimistically we loaded up and walked back across the boulders only for the rain to start up as soon as we got to the base of the cliffs. We took the opportunity to head up the gully to the plateau and walk back across this to the summit track. Another theme for the trip was to try and keep reminding ourselves that despite the climbing access being hard, or the rain preventing us from climbing that we were still in an amazing place with stunning views and unique plants and wildlife all around us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the decent gully in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cushion plants on the plateau</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cushion Plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigation was made difficult by the cloud</td></tr>
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That afternoon, on the advice of our support crew (Maree), we decided to pack up and head for the sunny Freycinet Peninsular.<br />
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<b>Hammock Review</b><br />
I agonised about what shelter to take with me and at one point had the tent packed as well as the hammock. In the end I decided on just the hammock. A few times I regretted the decision. Particularly the night we arrived at Freycinet after dark in the pouring rain and were trying to find a site that was unoccupied and had two suitable trees. Overall though, it was all worth it for the comfort.<br />
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I had bought a new 9.5' x 10' Silnylon tarp from BearPaw Wilderness Designs a few weeks before leaving and I was very happy with it for the entire trip. No where near as light as my cuben tarp but I wasn't as worried about punctures or damage from reefing on the guy lines when the wind picked up. This was another downside to the hammock as the tarp made more noise during the couple of nights we had of strong wind making sleeping a bit more difficult.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite at Richardsons Beach</td></tr>
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<b>Gracelands</b><br />
We decided to head to this small crag as our first taste of the climbing in the area as it had a good range of grades and apparently was only 20 minutes access. After having some issues following the "track" we arrived after around 90 minutes of bush bashing. It then started raining... Luckily it passed quickly and we were able to get on a couple of short cracks, both with fairly exciting starts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to climb</td></tr>
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The area was already reminding us of Girraween, except for the beautiful beaches as a backdrop.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Gracelands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards Coles Bay from Gracelands</td></tr>
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<b>Hazards Main Wall & White Water Wall</b><br />
We had high hopes for The Hazards Main wall. Slabby granite similar to Girraween but bigger. This is what we found, but in similar style to Girraween the routes we found were fairly sparsely protected plus the access to the base of the climbs was fairly precarious in places. Being unfamiliar with the area we decided to move on to the coastal crags which we hoped would be a bit more user friendly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazards Main Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy Bay</td></tr>
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The road into Bluestone Bay was the best way to access most of the coastal crags such as White Water Wall and I had read that it was ok to drive in a two wheel drive so on we went. It wasn't too bad and took around 15 minutes in the Getz with only a few minor scrapes underneath. Once at the campsite the climbing was all within a short walks distance which was a nice change.<br />
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The climbing here was spectacular with beautifully featured granite in an amazing setting. We did a few routes over a couple of days with the highlight being After the Goldrush. A three pitch 19 featuring stunning cracks, great belays and some crazy horizontal crack moves on the middle pitch. This was one of the highlights of the trip.<br />
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<b>The Rest Day</b><br />
After a week of climbing and walking with big packs we decided to have a day off and do a nice leisurely bushwalk on one of the tracks. We intended to do the Wineglass Bay track but in the end decided to avoid the crowds and head up Mt. Amos. After half an hour of solid up hill we were wondering how much of a rest day this was actally going to be. The views were good though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coles Bay from the Mt. Amos track</td></tr>
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Eventually we made it to the summit and were rewarded with 360 degree views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wineglass Bay & Coles Bay from Mt. Amos Summit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wineglass Bay</td></tr>
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After lazing around taking photos and having some lunch we decided to try heading down the South-Western side of the mountain to meet the Wineglass Bay track. I figured there must be some sort of a track down this way as the Skyline traverse follows that path roughly. The route started off ok with nice open slabs, but it wasn't long until we found ourselves in dense scrub trying to pick our way between the drop offs and starting to regret the decision.<br />
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After 3 or 4 hours of scrub bashing and negotiating steep granite slabs we eventually made it down to the track. Not exactly how we envisaged the day turning out, but another good adventure anyway.<br />
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<b>On the Move Again</b><br />
After another great day at Gracelands where we did some more crack climbs and couple of brilliant face routes (most notable was Tom's onsight of the grade 24 Dead Can't Dance) we decided to make the move back to Ben Lomond via Launceston for a laundry and resupply stop. We wanted to take advantage of the good, albeit fairly hot, weather and get on one of the big multipitch routes on Frews Flutes.<br />
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This time round we set up camp in the campground.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Lomond Camp Ground</td></tr>
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<b>Barbe Di Vendetta</b><br />
This is the name of what would end up being our only other climb to get done at The Ben. The guide describes it as "the most sympathetic to those with an aversion to marathon jam pitches" and is graded 17. It is an 80m climb done in three pitches. Sounded perfect for our first big climb there so we were up early the next day and off back across the boulder field.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching the guide to the cliffs</td></tr>
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We eventually found the start of the climb and made a few decisions that would come back to haunt us. The first was to underestimate the heat and exposure to the sun. We did take water up with us but not enough. The second was to not take up any footwear apart from our climbing shoes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frews Flutes</td></tr>
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The climb itself was stunning. The first pitch started with a nearly 20m, wide hand crack before a couple of ledges with tight hand and finger cracks above them prior to reaching the belay. By the time I reached the ledge I was exhausted and parched from the relentless sun hitting the North facing cliff. Ever patient, Tom waited (also without shade) for me to set up a belay and call for him to follow with the water. I already new that water was going to be an issue but we were determined not to bail and add to the large collection of deteriorating slings already on the cliff.<br />
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Tom didn't waste any time seconding and quickly set himself up for leading the second pitch: another gorgeous crack, this time heading up a corner starting as perfect hands before expanding to fists with some decent bridging features on the arete to the left. Above the next ledge the crack fizzled out a bit but the sympathetic face features began appearing to create a thoroughly enjoyable 10 metres of climbing. The final few metres involved an airy move out past the arete to some loose holds used to reach the next large belay ledge. Definitely exciting.<br />
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After consuming as little of our dwindling water supply as I could I then followed on to lead the last pitch. Not the standout by far, but still a great 15m or so of twin cracks and nice face holds to help when it got too wide. Above this the rock started to get very crumbly and decent protection was hard to find. The route to the top was also tricky to find and lack of gear and bad rope drag forced me to set up another belay and for Tom to lead another short pitch; more time in the sun.<br />
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By the time we both got to the top we were exhausted, thirsty and the sun still wouldn't let up. We needed a break but knew that we still had to get back to our packs in bare feet. There was no way I could keep my climbing shoes on any longer as some of my toes were already going numb. We slowly picked our way through spikey bushes and grass until we eventually reached the top of the descent gully. Despite this being our third time down the gully everything was harder without shoes. The sun was finally getting lower and giving us some relief, however this also meant that we were running out of time to get back to the car in the light.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjInkhYzMo/UT6a4CM_36I/AAAAAAAABWw/9y3EwOv6IxI/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjInkhYzMo/UT6a4CM_36I/AAAAAAAABWw/9y3EwOv6IxI/s640/IMG_1564.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View past Frews Flutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we reached about one third of the way down I started to head up the ridge that separated the gully from Frews Flutes. The guide mentioned this as an alternate way of getting back to the start of these climbs. Tom tried to pick a better path through the rocks, but by the time he hit a dead end I was 30m up the hill. At this point we decided to just split up and meet back at the packs (third poor decision for the day). After dodging more spikes and some loose scree I eventually made it back to the packs where I sucked down half of our remaining water and sat to wait for Tom.<br />
<br />
10 minutes went by with no sign of him below. Looking at the sun quickly heading closer to the horizon I decided at this point to pack up both our bags and head for the bottom of the decent gully to hopefully find Tom along the way. Progress was slow with the two packs, but it was heaven to have boots on again.<br />
<br />
By the time I reached the base of the decent gully Tom was still nowhere to be seen and the light was nearly completely gone. I called out for him and to my surprise he responded from the top of a 50m cliff at the end of the ridge that separated the gully from Frews Flutes. I could just make out his white helmet in the dim light. In his haste to get back to the packs and under a haze of exhaustion and thirst Tom had tried to bypass the gully and take a short cut across the ridge. His retreat had become more difficult the more he persisted by climbing small sections of cliff as he went.<br />
<br />
Luckily the wind was low and we were able to communicate fairly well. I was able to stop him from attempting the rather futile abseil he was about to make on a single 60m doubled over rope. I started up the gully with torches, his shoes and the remaining water, meanwhile he was able to traverse around the cliffs to a point where the gully rising below made the abseil much shorter and more direct. Eventually he was back on deck and we both heaved a sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
There was no point rushing at this point as it was well and truly dark and we had no more water. So we slowly made our way back to the bags at the bottom of the gully, packed up the gear and set off across the boulders to the car. We eventually reached the car at around 10:30, roughly 14 hours after we set off and after a quick dinner of tuna on bread rolls back at the tents we were very ready for bed.<br />
<br />
<b>Mt. Field:</b><br />
After the adventures of the previous day we decided that there was no way we were climbing the next day and my state of mind (and the lack of skin left on my forearms) wasn't really up to any more climbs at The Ben in general for the trip. Given that we had 4 more days before I had to head home we decided to head back to Launceston and reassess.<br />
<br />
We decided to move to Mt. Field N.P. for a more relaxing end to the trip. The website said that the campsite was in Australian Geographic's top 100 in the country which sounded promising. Sure enough it did have hot showers, flushing toilets and even washing machines, but this meant that the place was packed with caravans and motor homes and the tent sites didn't have much privacy.<br />
<br />
The walking made up for it though. We did the Tall Trees/Russell Falls track for starters. The massive Swamp Gums were a site to behold.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7CaZpjmrT8/UT6bHy2rCfI/AAAAAAAABX8/ZNa9mjLyVgs/s1600/IMG_1594_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7CaZpjmrT8/UT6bHy2rCfI/AAAAAAAABX8/ZNa9mjLyVgs/s640/IMG_1594_panorama.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive Swamp Gum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHYiHNd6YKc/UT6bJymfFfI/AAAAAAAABYM/41S4CEXW4Hk/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHYiHNd6YKc/UT6bJymfFfI/AAAAAAAABYM/41S4CEXW4Hk/s640/IMG_1601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Rays through the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we did the Mt. Field West walk with a return via Tarn Shelf. This made for a very long walk and was a more exhausting day than we originally planned. It was well worth it though and we took in a lot of the park in only a couple of days.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvWeFwWgFYY/UT6bc03-PVI/AAAAAAAABaM/Pbu6Zj3x__k/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvWeFwWgFYY/UT6bc03-PVI/AAAAAAAABaM/Pbu6Zj3x__k/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Dobson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMGp50qygbA/UT6bduGUfAI/AAAAAAAABaU/LwDh2H-RGbY/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMGp50qygbA/UT6bduGUfAI/AAAAAAAABaU/LwDh2H-RGbY/s640/IMG_1678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Dobson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64z_JyagakI/UT6bkZLrD3I/AAAAAAAABbI/qLDfGqhEers/s1600/IMG_1707_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64z_JyagakI/UT6bkZLrD3I/AAAAAAAABbI/qLDfGqhEers/s640/IMG_1707_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to the end of the Tarn Shelf Circuit</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rt7z9-0DzM/UT6bozqhgXI/AAAAAAAABbk/1UaWg1-VO7M/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rt7z9-0DzM/UT6bozqhgXI/AAAAAAAABbk/1UaWg1-VO7M/s640/IMG_1736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K-Col Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFocYCVn7Hw/UT6b3qfQ86I/AAAAAAAABc8/9N3LuuYoJDs/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFocYCVn7Hw/UT6b3qfQ86I/AAAAAAAABc8/9N3LuuYoJDs/s640/IMG_1765.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses, Moss and Cushion Plants next to a spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ6sOQXNeA4/UT6b2M5uyUI/AAAAAAAABcw/gMHE484SIjA/s1600/IMG_1768_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ6sOQXNeA4/UT6b2M5uyUI/AAAAAAAABcw/gMHE484SIjA/s640/IMG_1768_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarns on the summit plateau of Mt. Field West</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8hATrKyV-s/UT6b74haSUI/AAAAAAAABdM/48LTq4MI9W4/s1600/IMG_1809_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8hATrKyV-s/UT6b74haSUI/AAAAAAAABdM/48LTq4MI9W4/s640/IMG_1809_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards K-Col on the way to Tarn Shelf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-91358717628234843112012-09-04T22:36:00.002-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.595-08:00Girraween in July<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2eHFOWin-c/UBUK8Hlg6YI/AAAAAAAAA7c/JoFqbU9NKns/s1600/New+Boots_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g2eHFOWin-c/UBUK8Hlg6YI/AAAAAAAAA7c/JoFqbU9NKns/s640/New+Boots_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Boots (16) with Wattles at Turtle Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Date: 23 - 29 July 2012</b><br />
<br />
After a busy first half of the year I was really looking forward to a bit of time off from work. The frequency of my bushwalking posts has diminished this year mainly because the majority of my spare time has been taken up with rock climbing instead. It is just another way to enjoy the bush and the outdoors and often includes walking as well. So basically it's win win as far as I'm concerned.<br />
<br />
So during the last week of July, Tom and I decided to get in a solid few days of climbing at one of our favourite places no matter what the activity: Girraween.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Day 1:<br />
We managed to have camp set up by about 11 on the Monday. We chose a spot in the Castle Rock Campground near the track start. The whole place was quiet but we had this particular area all to ourselves for most of the week. Tom was sleeping in the Scarp 2 and I chose to use the hammock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYKnvOeavtU/UBUKqSsHIZI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/K-SWJASsR28/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYKnvOeavtU/UBUKqSsHIZI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/K-SWJASsR28/s640/IMG_0621.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite. Scarp 2 in the foreground, Warbonnet Blackbird in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Castle Rock was our first destination so we set off along the track for the first of many times for the trip. The wattles were in bloom and they made every outlook even more spectacular with the patches of bright yellow breaking up the canopy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wL0VrkA4cGc/UBUK2qbl9JI/AAAAAAAAA6k/ETSiRcOep9w/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wL0VrkA4cGc/UBUK2qbl9JI/AAAAAAAAA6k/ETSiRcOep9w/s640/IMG_0717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before long we reached the summit and after a quick lunch stop we headed back down the track to try and locate the various climbs in the guide. We eventually settled on an unnamed crack on a giant boulder on the side of Castle Rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4sHjQ2-_fA/UBUKpxN4-YI/AAAAAAAAA4E/7_zfIAgGUhE/s1600/IMG_0632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4sHjQ2-_fA/UBUKpxN4-YI/AAAAAAAAA4E/7_zfIAgGUhE/s640/IMG_0632.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom on the unnamed crack</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnIbwNSKh4/UBUKsLeGAHI/AAAAAAAAA4k/lgrq8OpRJ6Y/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRnIbwNSKh4/UBUKsLeGAHI/AAAAAAAAA4k/lgrq8OpRJ6Y/s640/IMG_0641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success! Now how to get down...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From here we headed round the Eastern side of Castle Rock and found the rest of the climbs in the guide. We headed up an interesting grade 15 called Dribbly Drop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ave7asZjGCY/UBUKsj8zBGI/AAAAAAAAA4s/N4RrTLlL_w0/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ave7asZjGCY/UBUKsj8zBGI/AAAAAAAAA4s/N4RrTLlL_w0/s640/IMG_0649.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself on Dribbly Drop. Not much protection, but not very steep either.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We packed up as the sun was setting and headed back under torch light (also the first of many times for the trip). We were expecting low temperatures but they didn't get as low as Girraween is renown for, probably not getting to zero.<br />
<br />
Day 2:<br />
After convincing myself to get out of bed and get ready we set off along the Castle Rock track again, this time heading for Turtle Rock. Once arriving we spent more time exploring the area locating climbs from the guide. As usual we headed straight for the first crack we could find. This was called New Boots and was quite a small crack with a tricky start.<br />
<br />
We then headed for the top of Turtle Rock and abseiled off the back side to the start of a few climbs. We eventually did an 18 called Losing Face on top rope. Great climbing and graded with the sparse protection in mind. Finally Tom decided to have a crack at the absolute classic New Paths at grade 24. He had a great crack at it and eventually made it to the trad gear placement below the 2nd last bolt before he pulled a hand hold off and snapped his thumb nail. This was the end of the day for us and with the sun setting we quickly got back up Turtle Rock via the squeeze route, retrieved our gear and headed back.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q46Gr8IKz_c/UBUKvvkcPYI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/VD-uKHXPCZw/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q46Gr8IKz_c/UBUKvvkcPYI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/VD-uKHXPCZw/s640/IMG_0672.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Paths</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x15hyI9JJII/UBUKyBG5upI/AAAAAAAAA50/Mje7m7SUhXU/s1600/IMG_0683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x15hyI9JJII/UBUKyBG5upI/AAAAAAAAA50/Mje7m7SUhXU/s640/IMG_0683.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom on New Paths as the Sun was setting</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SPovccMEAg/UBUKyh_knGI/AAAAAAAAA58/c3L_Eji7Kbg/s1600/IMG_0689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SPovccMEAg/UBUKyh_knGI/AAAAAAAAA58/c3L_Eji7Kbg/s640/IMG_0689.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from Turtle Rock</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpvH9Ia0jEE/UBUKzjGiwWI/AAAAAAAAA6E/wDfCTIZGkSA/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpvH9Ia0jEE/UBUKzjGiwWI/AAAAAAAAA6E/wDfCTIZGkSA/s640/IMG_0692.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun getting down the squeeze in the dark with packs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Day 3:<br />
After the events of the previous evening we ended up leaving all our gear up the wall on New Paths so we had to head back to Turtle Rock again to retrieve it all. We made the familiar trek back out there and set our minds to getting through a few more routes than previous days. The wind had been fairly strong most of the week but this day in particular it was blowing hard from the East. Once again the weather was spectacular though.<br />
<br />
Our list of climbs for the day was:<br />
- Staircase<br />
- Wading Ape DS<br />
- Summerbreeze<br />
- Millions of Dead Punks<br />
- Strenuous Layback Crack<br />
- Unknown route to the left of the layback crack.<br />
<br />
The variation of climbs available at Girraween is awesome. Everything from slabs, to cracks to steep juggy stuff. Definitely not a one trick pony. Once again we were enjoying ourselves too much to leave before the sun went down so we carefully climbed off the top of Turtle Rock and headed back to camp and a nice warm fire.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-w2vZSI3a8/UBUK0XyKrhI/AAAAAAAAA6M/ohkdTX41oBg/s1600/IMG_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-w2vZSI3a8/UBUK0XyKrhI/AAAAAAAAA6M/ohkdTX41oBg/s640/IMG_0693.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summerbreeze and Millions of Dead Punks</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TZq31_BveA/UBUK0jb4FtI/AAAAAAAAA6U/6Yx_E5TJ8vA/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TZq31_BveA/UBUK0jb4FtI/AAAAAAAAA6U/6Yx_E5TJ8vA/s640/IMG_0701.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layback Crack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Day 4:<br />
For our last day of climbing before Tom had to head home we decided to head back out to The Sphinx as we knew from our last trip how good some of the climbs here were. Unfortunately the weather finally broke and we got a few showers when we arrived. The rock didn't take long to dry out though and we hopped straight on The Queen of Spades. Tom lead this with great composure and skill. I seconded with much falling and moaning. It was another classic Girraween climb though requiring levitation abilities in some sections and great balance.<br />
<br />
To finish off the day we climbed Vagabond for the second time. Yet another awesome climb.<br />
<br />
For the rest of the week and weekend Maree came down and we did some more walking and visited some wineries capping off an amazing week.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emZYQg63Moo/UBUK2xONXwI/AAAAAAAAA6s/J-3aKmmhpbE/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emZYQg63Moo/UBUK2xONXwI/AAAAAAAAA6s/J-3aKmmhpbE/s640/IMG_0715.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curious Kangaroos</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXS4NWQtpYk/UBUK4PDJL8I/AAAAAAAAA68/qsbuSyjoTOA/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXS4NWQtpYk/UBUK4PDJL8I/AAAAAAAAA68/qsbuSyjoTOA/s640/IMG_0719.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Formations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-45142170574442931672012-06-12T18:38:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.569-08:00Mt. Matheson Circuit<b>Date: 9th June 2012</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
Looking to make the most of the long weekend Maree and I decided to head out for a walk. We decided on a circuit starting at Spicers Gap on the Main Range heading up Mt. Matheson. The walk started from the picnic ground next to the Spicers Gap campsite and was built by the National Parks Association. The track is nice and wide most of the way and had some really interesting features and a different outlook of the surrounding area.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The track headed gradually up hill from the start with the bush starting as fairly lush rainforest before opening up to the usual eucalypts and grass trees that are common on the Eastern Slopes of the Main Range. The reasonably recent logging of the area was still evident in the lack of large trees.<br />
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After reaching the ridge we continued North before the ridge took a sharp turn to the South-West and some great views of Mt. Mitchell and Mt. Cordeaux appeared.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gda2KQ4XaQ/T9VlpecSs5I/AAAAAAAAA2g/VVmxO5knfLY/s1600/Mt+Mitchell+and+Mt+Courdeaux+Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gda2KQ4XaQ/T9VlpecSs5I/AAAAAAAAA2g/VVmxO5knfLY/s640/Mt+Mitchell+and+Mt+Courdeaux+Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Mitchell & Mt. Cordeaux</td></tr>
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The track continues along this ridge passing through some large boulders and eventually making its way to the top of a rocky outcrop with great views to the North-East. Mt. Mitchell was still particularly impressive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFeCzvDbAos/T9VlndsncbI/AAAAAAAAA2U/XasPZ5uAsck/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFeCzvDbAos/T9VlndsncbI/AAAAAAAAA2U/XasPZ5uAsck/s640/IMG_0548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Mitchell</td></tr>
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From here the track continued in the same direction until it intersected with the main ridge of the range and headed South back towards Spicers Gap. Along the way the foliage switched again between lush rainforest and some open cleared sections with some stunning stag-horns hanging in the trees.<br />
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The timber jinker was an interesting stop along this section before the track met up with the road and headed towards the Governors Chair car park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWw_2Sx8bag/T9VloWGS3UI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/qjVx7PIiGWA/s1600/IMG_0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWw_2Sx8bag/T9VloWGS3UI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/qjVx7PIiGWA/s640/IMG_0563.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber Jinker</td></tr>
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We stopped at Governors Chair for lunch where there are some great views across the Moogerah Peaks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqzIAMtv7FU/T9VlmOP0K1I/AAAAAAAAA2M/EFRWjNEBeSU/s1600/Governers+Chair+Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqzIAMtv7FU/T9VlmOP0K1I/AAAAAAAAA2M/EFRWjNEBeSU/s640/Governers+Chair+Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Governors Chair</td></tr>
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To return to the start we followed the Spicers Gap road. Overall this was an enjoyable and relaxing walk.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-82090101219720453712012-06-12T18:13:00.000-07:002014-02-10T18:44:16.586-08:00Mt. Cougal<b>Date: 6 April 2012</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
This walk had been mentioned numerous times on the bushwalking forums and the views had always looked great so we finally got a chance to do this in April. The drive from Brisbane took a while but once you leave the highway and head into the Currumbin Valley it is very pleasant.<br />
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Starting up hill immediately the walk follows the border fence nearly the entire way to the peak of the mountain, making route finding extremely easy. The track wasn't maintained though and the first section passes through some very overgrown grassy sections covered in cobblers pegs. I would recommend wearing full gaiters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPq5cE0tTq0/T9Vk_IhKy2I/AAAAAAAAA1E/wpu4Utmjbp4/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPq5cE0tTq0/T9Vk_IhKy2I/AAAAAAAAA1E/wpu4Utmjbp4/s640/IMG_0335.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overgrown track</td></tr>
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Before long you are greeted with some great views back up the valley and across to Mt. Cougal and Mt. Tallebudgera<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFsMZ2Or4Y0/T9VlDEyJKkI/AAAAAAAAA1w/rCfbesU1Z_M/s1600/Panorama+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFsMZ2Or4Y0/T9VlDEyJKkI/AAAAAAAAA1w/rCfbesU1Z_M/s640/Panorama+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of Mt. Cougal and up Currumbin Valley</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The grass eventually starts thinning out as the walk moves further into the rainforest. We came across some photo-worthy old gates and some massive trees in this section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozr_tDd4N6o/T9Vk_kiWIgI/AAAAAAAAA1M/uEaKlajZgos/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozr_tDd4N6o/T9Vk_kiWIgI/AAAAAAAAA1M/uEaKlajZgos/s640/IMG_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old gate</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWxIDPiG6GE/T9Vk_kov8wI/AAAAAAAAA1I/OP4GsEJ3f4M/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWxIDPiG6GE/T9Vk_kov8wI/AAAAAAAAA1I/OP4GsEJ3f4M/s640/IMG_0349.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive tree</td></tr>
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Once under the canopy of the rainforest the track follows the ridge for a while before it starts heading up hill towards Mt. Cougal. The last section of track was quite steep but with plenty of exposed roots making good steps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpCkB9v-XlQ/T9VlCd0_RKI/AAAAAAAAA1k/d1HSPEBKfp4/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpCkB9v-XlQ/T9VlCd0_RKI/AAAAAAAAA1k/d1HSPEBKfp4/s640/IMG_0353.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The track getting steeper</td></tr>
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Eventually, the fence stops as the terrain gets more rocky towards the peak. Before you start up the final rock scramble to the top you can head to the left to check out the cave that burrows right through the mountain. I had a look inside but wasn't game to try the last squeeze through to the other side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vq9otHEx1c/T9VlBPttSYI/AAAAAAAAA1c/30tJ8FQqFIY/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vq9otHEx1c/T9VlBPttSYI/AAAAAAAAA1c/30tJ8FQqFIY/s640/IMG_0359.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view back towards the cave entrance</td></tr>
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There was also a brilliant lookout further around to the left with great views along the cliffs of Mt. Cougal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1B8UlEYXNMw/T9VlDI6QPeI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9QR8vEhCcvU/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1B8UlEYXNMw/T9VlDI6QPeI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9QR8vEhCcvU/s640/IMG_0364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View along Mt. Cougal</td></tr>
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The final section below the peak was a reasonably steep rock scramble but there was plenty of hand and foot holds to use. Finally we reached the peak in time for lunch and had the place to ourselves to enjoy the view. There were great views in most directions if you find the right angles between the foliage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCqJvBQi98c/T9VlD1duuGI/AAAAAAAAA10/-BlvvVWZ1q0/s1600/Panorama+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCqJvBQi98c/T9VlD1duuGI/AAAAAAAAA10/-BlvvVWZ1q0/s640/Panorama+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the peak</td></tr>
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Especially impressive is the second of the twin peaks of Mt. Cougal which can be reached by traversing the razorback ridge. We decided to leave this for another day and after eating lunch and being surprised by a big carpet python sunning itself we headed back the way we had come.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5096435580240745375.post-82981464949040561082011-12-13T16:31:00.000-08:002014-02-10T18:44:16.588-08:00Binna Burra: Lower Belbird Circuit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woez62I8bjI/TtNIphjHeRI/AAAAAAAAAfw/SdeU_DphVI4/s1600/rain+in+valley_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woez62I8bjI/TtNIphjHeRI/AAAAAAAAAfw/SdeU_DphVI4/s640/rain+in+valley_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to Ships Stern</td></tr>
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<b>Date: 28 Nov 2011</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
After having our <a href="http://hikinginseqld.blogspot.com/2011/11/girraween-again.html" target="_blank">Girraween</a> trip cut short by rain the week before we wanted to get out for another walk while we were still on holidays. Trying to avoid the heat somewhat we headed for higher altitude and shady rainforest at Binna Burra. We decided on the Lower Belbird Circuit which I remembered as a highlight of the <a href="http://hikinginseqld.blogspot.com/2011/04/gold-coast-hinterland-great-walk.html" target="_blank">Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk</a>.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
This track commences at the same point as the Ships Stern Circuit at the lower end of the Binna Burra camp ground. Being a weekday there wasn't many visitors and we hoped to have the track to ourselves. The walk spends most of its time under the cool canopy of the rainforest and starts by heading South and gradually down hill.<br />
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As is the case with most of the tracks in the park this one was well graded and maintained. In fact the only downside to the first half of the walk was the chainsaw noises coming from the rangers clearing a section of the track of a tree fall. As usual, they were all very friendly though and apologised for the noise. As the track made its first u-turn back down the hill a small off-shoot headed to the first of two lookouts providing views down the valley towards the East.<br />
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One of the most interesting features of the walk for me was the cliffs and rock formations beside the track which also pose as a reminder of how far you will eventually have to climb back up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXBSozpFP8o/TtNE5AzqOaI/AAAAAAAAAeY/KktwQxbIxXc/s1600/caves1_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXBSozpFP8o/TtNE5AzqOaI/AAAAAAAAAeY/KktwQxbIxXc/s640/caves1_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama of the caves</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxK87OkSI3Q/TtNGIbjlsqI/AAAAAAAAAe4/stR8kVFc8ng/s1600/IMGP9738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxK87OkSI3Q/TtNGIbjlsqI/AAAAAAAAAe4/stR8kVFc8ng/s640/IMGP9738.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Investigating the rock</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy6Y-dF0KUI/TtNFm_3jj4I/AAAAAAAAAew/0h2Gp0SjUek/s1600/IMGP9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy6Y-dF0KUI/TtNFm_3jj4I/AAAAAAAAAew/0h2Gp0SjUek/s640/IMGP9730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alien like rock formations in the caves</td></tr>
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The track zig-zagged down crossing various gulleys and mostly dry creek beds before eventually making a more permenant turn towards the East where we eventually hit the junction where the rest of the circuit deviates from the Ships Stern walk. There are some amazing trees and beautiful water cascades through this section.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnRGNM575sc/TtNJFyss3GI/AAAAAAAAAf4/LkdWxdwoUwc/s1600/trees_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnRGNM575sc/TtNJFyss3GI/AAAAAAAAAf4/LkdWxdwoUwc/s640/trees_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant trees</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd5EPLQ7Z1c/TtNFOC269KI/AAAAAAAAAeg/A_-vxIJZmKQ/s1600/creek+gully_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd5EPLQ7Z1c/TtNFOC269KI/AAAAAAAAAeg/A_-vxIJZmKQ/s640/creek+gully_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky cascades</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At one stage we came across a very stubborn goanna which really didn't want to get off the track and continued making hissing noises at us as we passed. After being on high snake alert the whole walk we also got a bit of a fright from a big black land mullet sitting next to the track.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j85XvFxGMPs/TtNGRkF1IoI/AAAAAAAAAfA/bv4n7ykIcN4/s1600/IMGP9748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j85XvFxGMPs/TtNGRkF1IoI/AAAAAAAAAfA/bv4n7ykIcN4/s640/IMGP9748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land Mullet</td></tr>
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We eventually stopped for lunch at the top of a waterfall with cliffs behind us and a brilliant view across the valley towards Ships Stern. It was at this point that we also saw the rain heading right for us, so we quickly finished our food and continued on. The track eventually hits the junction where the Great Walk heads down off the plateau and where our circuit headed back towards the road. From here it was a steamy slog back up the road to the car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7p5WrDijwI/TtNHDNWiNOI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ZoZ8LfSAgig/s1600/IMGP9764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7p5WrDijwI/TtNHDNWiNOI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ZoZ8LfSAgig/s640/IMGP9764.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs above our lunch spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09671166965046580819noreply@blogger.com1