Dave Byrnes' Adventures

Australian Alps Walking Track - 2011
Overview     Planning     Schedule     Map     Diary     Pictures
Day: 005
Date:

Saturday, 19 March 2011

Start:

Black River

Finish:

Rumpff Saddle + 1.5km

Camp Location Here
Daily Kilometres:

16.7

Total Kilometres:

112.2 AAWT

Animal Encounters

Birds

People Encounters

5 motorcyclists, 3 cars

Weather:

Cool and damp early, mostly sunny and mild later

Pictures: Here
Journal:

I got up at 7 and left soon after 8 as planned and that was about the extent of things going to plan for the day. Firstly, the log crossing of the Black River turned out to be a figment of the guide book's imagination and I ploughed across the shallow river as quickly as I could hoping that my Goretex boots and gaiters would do the job, which they did. Then the guide book suggested I needed to head downstream to pick up a trail up a spur, but everything was very overgrown and the only path I could see seemed to go straight up the bluff. I followed it and after some precarious moments reached the top of the spur where I needed to be and saw a marker on a tree, the last I would see for 4.5 hours. It took me that long to reach the top of Mt Shillinglaw (1305m) 5 kilometers later. I didn't get lost, but it was impossible to follow what faint trail there was through the incredibly dense vegetation.

Basically, for hours on end, I was just muscling through the jungle, clambering over fallen trees, many of them burnt and black, and forcing my way through. So long as I was heading up, I knew I was on track, but I did use my GPS for occasional reassurance. Eventually I picked up a faint and overgrown firetrail and followed it to the summit of Mt Shillinglaw, more than two hours later than planned.

Anyone who has hiked this section will understand what a relief it is to have that bit of trail behind me. I reached the Jamieson-Licola road about 1:30pm and found my food dump intact and enjoyed some treats for lunch. I've had to revise back my goal for today and will remain about half a day behind schedule.

I set off after lunch and a repack with my fresh supplies that took 1.5 hours, but was a much needed break after the travails of the morning. I now had a couple of kms on the J-L road, then I decided to take Middle Ridge Road, a guide book alternative, rather than the official AAWT route which climbed higher for some views. I had seen the views when I put out my food dump, and I had to gather some water before camping, including enough to see me through tomorrow, and the only convenient stream was the way I was going. I enjoyed a peaceful afternoon following the road which contoured the mountain and gave great views to the east until fog began to close in around 5pm.

The only downside to the afternoon was my increased pack weight because I was now carrying 5-6 days of food, made even worse when I added 5 liters of water to the load 3km before I camped in a quiet little saddle about 1.5km past Rumpff Saddle soon after 6:30pm. In the fog and a breeze it got cold very quickly and, after a flannel wash, I was wearing most of my clothes while I cooked and ate. The fog is making everything damp and the trees are dropping water on my tent, but I'm cozy and hoping tomorrow will be at least a little easier than today. I'm now following the Great Divide, and water is scarce for a while.

ADVENTURE LIST

 

Round Ireland
(2016)

Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)

Via Alpina
(2012)

Australian Alps Walking Track
(2011)

Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)

Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)

Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)

Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)

Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)

Three Peaks Race
(2004)

Appalachian Trail
(1986)

Alpine Track
(1983)

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You can email Dave directly at dave@davebyrnes.com.au or subscribe to his Adventure Blogs here.

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