Day: |
006 |
Date: |
Sunday, 20 March 2011
|
Start: |
Rumpff Saddle + 1.5km
|
Finish: |
Mt McDonald
|
Camp Location |
Here |
Daily
Kilometres: |
22.4
|
Total
Kilometres: |
134.4 AAWT
|
Animal Encounters |
Birds
|
People Encounters |
One 4WD
|
Weather: |
Mostly sunny and mild
|
Pictures: |
Here |
Journal: |
I woke during the night to bright moonlight and no fog. On the
road soon after 8:30am and spent the morning following the ridge of
the Great Divide on old firetrails. The walking was pleasant, though
the constant ups and downs were taking it out of me with a full
pack. Through the trees on both sides of the ridge were tree-covered
valleys and mountains as far as the eye could see. I reached Mt
Sunday (1407m) at lunch time having made a few decisions about the
hike going forward. I had set myself an aggressive 26 day schedule
in the hope I would finish in Canberra in time to see some friends
run the marathon there. However, I now don't think that's realistic
and I want to enjoy the hike so will now aim for roughly 30 days
including a day off in Mt Hotham and Thredbo. Also, the solar
chargers I brought for my iPhone don't seem to be working very well
and, since I had to discard my usual camera which had ceased to
function, I need my iPhone for pictures. Therefore, future reports
will be minimal and I'll keep a written journal.
After lunch, the descent from Mt Sunday was made much easier
because someone had been through with a brush-cutter and chainsaw.
It was virtual jungle and would have been really tough bush-bashing.
I even found a trickle of water near some ferns and was able to fill
my bottles. The climb to Mt McDonald (1620m) that followed was
another challenge following an overgrown ridge and slow work. There
was not really a trail, just occasional signs someone had been there
before. As the ridge climbed higher it became very rocky and I
didn't enjoy the boulder hopping with my heavy pack and fatigue.
Kept thinking about the movie 127 Hours! At the higher
altitudes the brush thinned, though still a tough climb but the
views were fantastic. Real wilderness. Then I started to hear some
thunder coming from the south and decided at 6:15pm I was better to
make camp while dry rather than continue on across some bare peaks.
I found a small partly protected dip near the peak, and enjoyed
dinner on the edge of a high bluff watching a beautiful sunset with
the storms missing me to the south.
|
|
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)
|