6/02/2016 – 10/02/2016 Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake
Young – Wilkin Circuit, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 61.4km Total Ascent: 2660m Total Descent: 2300m Time: 26 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Day 1: Saturday 6/02/2016 Young River – Young Hut
Early on Saturday morning we headed off for our planned trip to visit Aspiring, French Ridge and Liverpool huts in the Matukituki River West Branch Valley. However, before we were to of town we recalled DOC’s advice that this area would be exceptionally busy over the Waitangi long weekend and with this in mind altered course and drove off towards Makarora to do the Gillespie Pass (Young-Wilkin) Circuit instead.
We were a little surprised on arrival to find the car park near the Young River close to full and a party of thirteen trampers heading off just before us. Continue reading →
Thursday 25/06/2015 Wodi Wodi Track – Stanwell Park Beach circuit
Illawarra Escarpment, NSW
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Derek Farrell
We picked up Derek from Thirroul and drove to Stanwell Park railway station on a warm winters morning. We were pleased to find an available car spot. We sooner warmed up along the track and Derek even got rid of his beanie, a sure sign he is a Darwin resident. Continue reading →
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stephen Day, Dave Whitelaw
Tuesday night was spent at the Boyd River campground to allow us to get an early start. Steve was dropped off at the Kanangra Walls Lookout where he was aiming to get an overnight star trail series. By just before dark he had managed to pitch his tent precariously, without pegs on a rock ledge near the cliff edge. Trish had driven up with us and stayed Tuesday night to drive our car back to Katoomba, all so we could avoid the long car drop after the walk – thanks heaps Trish!
Stars and shooting star over The Castle and nearby mountains on the evening of 13/5/2015, don’t miss the Aurora Australis at the end! (Click the image for the movie)
13/05/2015 – 17/05/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point – Munnuldi Falls – Sluice Box Falls – Styles Creek – Sassafras circuit
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 52.3km Total Ascent: 2340m Total Descent: 2340m Time: 35 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stuart Murray
Day 1: Wednesday 13/5/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point
We commenced our walk from Sassafras on a crisp clear morning. It was five degrees as we weighed packs and wished yet again that we had packed lighter, except for Stuart who managed to fit five days worth of food and gear into his 11kg pack. This, in the end disadvantaged him as he as he was allocated the climbing rope which added a further two kilograms. Steven won with a total of weight of 23kg including all his camera gear. Sue carried a respectable 15.7kg load.
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)
We moved our trip forward one day as the rain cleared and the forecast was for almost a week of sunny weather. Instead of doing two shorter trips we combined them into one longer trip as we were unable to get accommodation in St Arnaud in the interim. With our backpacks full with seven days worth of dehydrated food we headed out from the Mt Robert car park on a clear and sunny morning.
Participants: Jenny Adams, Scott Brodie, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Jones Lemmon, Stephen Long (Leader), Helen Troy
We met before 9.00am in Cooma under sunny skies all keen to start out on our mountain bike adventure. Driving to Eucumbene Cove and packing our bikes with gear for the three day trip, we headed off for the 32km ride into Mackays hut before 11.00am.