Looking south under moonlight from our campsite between Dead Horse Gap and South Ramshead 14th August 2016 Continue reading
Dead Horse Gap Star Trail 14/8/2016
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Wog Wog – Corang Peak
16/10/2016 Wog Wog – Corang Peak
Moreton National Park, NSW
Distance: 20.5km Ascent: 601m Descent: 601m Moving Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
Participants: Carole Alcock, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Brian Dooley, Alan Hickey, Kay Rogers, Werner Stayer
South Coast Bushwalking Club 20th anniversary walk
A large contingent of SCBWC members camped the night before the walk at Wog Wog camp ground, enjoying perfect conditions on a clear still night.
Calenzana – Bonifatu – Turarelli – Galeria – Girolata – Cirzu – Serriera – Ota – Marignana – E Case – Cargese : Mare e Monti, CORSICA
26/5/2016 – 5/6/2016 Tra Mare e Monti
Calenzana – Cargese, CORSICA
Distance: 176.6km Total Ascent: 9100m Total Descent: 9425m Moving Time: 48 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report, Photos)
“The longest-standing and easily the most wonderful long-distance route in Corsica, the Mare e Monti holds true to its name and provides a roller coaster of treats ranging from breathtaking coastline with blue sea and beaches to some awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes” Gillian Price (Walking in Corsica – Long Distance and Short Walks, Cicerone Guides, 2013)
It was an adventure even getting to the start of this walk that involved several days of travel. We flew to Ajaccio, the capital city of Corsica. The following day we caught the train to Calvi, changing at Ponte Leccia. The trip duration was nearly five hours but was very scenic, firstly through the mountainous interior and then to the picturesque coast. Calvi is a gem with it’s commanding citadel and turquoise sandy beaches.
After planning to catch the school bus to the start of the walk at Calenzana, we purchased our tickets ahead of time and waited at the bus stop. No bus. I returned to the store where we purchased the tickets and they sheepishly informed me they neglected to advise the bus company to pick us up! They refunded our money but we had missed the only bus that day and our only option was to catch a taxi (35 euros).
The taxi driver dropped us in the main square at Calenzana so we still needed to find our accommodation. We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast, A l’Ombre du Clocher. The home made jams with fresh bread for breakfast were amazing.
Long Gully – Cooyoyo – The Castle – Monolith Valley – Sunset Cave – Mt Cole
2/04/2016 – 6/04/2016 Long Gully – The Castle – Mount Cole circuit
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 44km Total Ascent: 1955 Total Descent: 1955m Time: 23 hours
Participants: Mandy Creighton (Saturday & Sunday), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Dave Whitelaw (Saturday & Sunday)
Steve and I started at Long Gully campground on Friday afternoon, enjoying the warm afternoon sun with a goanna for company.
Mandy and Dave joined us a bit later, sharing in the ritual of burning Sue’s expired business papers throughout the evening and sampling delicious bakery treats from the Heritage Bakery in Milton. Continue reading
Roys Peak
Friday 5/02/2016 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road – Roys Peak summit return
Wanaka, NEW ZEALAND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
As we were due to head out on a multi day walk (rated as “hard”) the next day we wanted a day walk that would stretch our legs without wearing them out. We had underestimated Roy’s Peak.
The Outlet – Brod Bay
Tuesday 2/02/2016 The Outlet – Brod Bay return
Te Anau district, NEW ZEALAND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
As a warm up for the multi-day hikes to come we decided to revisit part of the Kepler track for the afternoon to walk from The Outlet to Brod Bay and back.
Larapinta Trail – Ellery Creek – Stanley Chasm
23/08/2015 – 30/08/2015 Ellery Creek – Stanley Chasm
West MacDonnell National Park (Tjoritja), NORTHERN TERRITORY
Arrernte country
Distance: 68km Total Ascent: 2670m Total Descent: 2350m Time: 33 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Day 1: Sunday 23/8/2015 Ellery Creek Big Waterhole
After a pleasant lunch and coffee in Alice Springs we were picked up by Trek Larapinta at 2:00pm and dropped off at Ellery Creek big waterhole. It was a hot day for August, up to 31 degrees by the afternoon.
We set up camp in an area that looked like a dry creek bed and got ready for a swim in the waterhole. It looked beautiful but we were less enthusiastic when we felt the water. It was 14.8 degrees and felt very cold in contrast to the air temperature. We went for a short dip after which we felt very refreshed!
We decided to have a picnic dinner near the waterhole and enjoyed the change of colour In the gorge as the light faded. Steve set up for star trail photography but unfortunately encountered technical problems. We saw a tawny owl amongst other bird life. The stars were impressive.
Sharplin Falls – Mount Somers
Wednesday 24/02/2016 Sharplin Falls Reserve – Mount Somers summit return
Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
As the weather was favourable we decided to try the summit again. We had done this walk two years ago in thick fog and saw no views at all.
We started the track just after 8:30am with a strong feeling of deja vu as we had walked out from the circuit on this track only two days earlier. Continue reading
Sharplin Falls – Pinnacles Hut – Woolshed Creek – Mt Somers South Face
19/02/2016 – 22/02/2016 Mount Summers circuit – Sharplin Falls
Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 31.5km Total Ascent: 2340m Total Descent: 2340m Time: 18 hours
(excluding side trips)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake – Lake Ohau
Thursday 16/02/2016 Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake
Ohau Conservation Reserve, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 18.7km Ascent: 1200m Descent: 1200m Walking Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We had a slow start from Lake Ohau lodge as Steve needed to let his large breakfast settle. We headed off from the Sawyers creek carpark by 11:00am.
We wandered through the dry grass for what seemed like a long time until we found the Alps to Ocean bike track and then the Freehold creek track. The pleasant trail then followed the creek climbing gradually for three kilometres until we reached the tree line. We passed several scree slopes and the view improved. There was a well positioned water pipe and cup for thirsty trampers. Continue reading
Matukituki Valley – Rob Roy Glacier – Aspiring Hut – French Ridge Hut
11/02/2016 – 14/02/2016 Raspberry Creek – French Ridge hut return
Mount Aspiring National Park, Otago region, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 50km Total Ascent: 2610m Total Descent: 2610m Time: 19 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake
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