{"id":1663,"date":"2022-03-14T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-13T22:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyergmail.direct.quickconnect.to\/wordpress\/?p=1663"},"modified":"2023-07-07T16:12:07","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T06:12:07","slug":"australian-alps-walking-track-day-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/australian-alps-walking-track-day-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Alps Walking Track – Week 4"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Gonna build a mountain and a daydream,
gonna make \u2018em both come true\u2026<\/em><\/p>\nThe Monkees.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Week 4 started with a long day\u2019s walking. From Buenba Flat the track climbs towards Mt Murphy before dropping to Buckwong Huts, where I had lunch. I left the AAWT to follow the steep Buckwong Track (350m climb over 2.1kms). I sang the entire Abbey Road a few times to take my mind off the walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I followed the Misery Trail south for 2 hours. It was bleak, a misty trail flanked by the charred remains of a forest after a horrendous bush fire. Blackened trunks loomed spectrally and time lost meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I lost the track when I left the Misery Trail, all route markers having been destroyed by bushfires. The track descended 500m and into areas untouched by fire, which was a relief. I came in contact with my first brumbies – I would see many more over the next fortnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The morning of Day 23 involved pleasant bushwalking for 10kms, including following a creek with some picturesque waterfalls. Then a short climb to the Cowombat Track. I would be walking mostly on fire trails for the next fortnight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I followed the fire trail for 15kms to Cowombat Flat and made camp. It\u2019s a great spot with open grassy plains. I could hear wild dogs howling to each other through the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Campsite at Cowombat Flat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The next morning I explored around the area and examined the remains of an RAAF plane that crashed at Cowombat Flat in 1954. The wreck was scattered over a wide area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Remains of RAAF DC3 plane. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Soon afterwards I crossed a stream that is the beginning of the Murray River and entered New South Wales. There was no border control here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Crossing the mighty Murray River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The AAWT follows the Pilot Creek Trail and the Snow Gums Trail before looping back to the Cowombat Trail. Here I took a side trip and climbed The Pilot, mostly off track with the occasional vague foot pad. The clouds cleared intermittently to reveal views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Pilot summit <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then back on the fire trail which took me to Tin Mine Huts, built for a short lived mining venture then occupied for many years by an eccentric recluse named Charlie Carter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shared the space with the brumbies, who were quite unaffected by my presence. Not having seen a soul for 5 days I struck up a one-sided conversation. I can vouch for their noisey eating, the sound of which lulled me to sleep that night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Brumbies at Tin Mine Huts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a cold night and there was frost on the ground on the morning of Day 25. The brumbies were gone (perhaps they knew somewhere warmer nearby). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Frosty morning at Tin Mine Huts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Tin Mines Hut the track changes name from Cowombat Trail to Cascade Trail, which I followed throughout the day. I had lunch at Cascade Hut, charmingly hidden just off the track. Here I could have a conversation with real people (not horses) – day walkers from Thredbo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cascade Hut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The track continues up over Bobs Ridge, where you get the first real views of Rams Head and the Main Range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bobs Ridge looking to the Main Range <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I followed the track down to the Thredbo River which I crossed on the foot bridge, then continued to Alpine Way. My next food drop was nearby, up above Dead Horse Gap, where I made camp. There were no brumbies there that night, although they had been there when I placed the food drop, well and truly alive despite the location\u2019s name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 26 was fine and sunny. I spent the morning following the Dead Horse Gap track up to the Kosciuszko Walk, which was crowded with day walkers. After a week being mostly by myself it was a bit of a culture shock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mt Kosciuszko summit <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was a party atmosphere at the summit, with hundreds of people and a queue for a selfie at the summit marker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Me and the crowd on Mt Kosciuszko<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After leaving Mt Kosciuszko I continued north on the Main Range Walking Track, trying to avoid the numerous joggers involved in a charity run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The route around Mt Northcote was closed for repairs which would take 3 months but, lucky me, was open this weekend only. I proceeded on past Mt Twynam and camped in the saddle below, near Mt Anton. It was a popular area being a long weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Campsite near Mt Anton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 27 dawned sunny and clear. I was having a lot of luck with the weather. I could see quite a few tents pitched near where the track from Guthega meets the Main Range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sunrise looking towards Mt Twynam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I proceeded north through Consett Stephen Pass, after which the route became vague, then went off track across the Rolling Grounds. I love the open alpine country around here. It took me a while to find the top of the footpad to Whites River Hut, but once found it was easy to follow. At the hut I was greeted by a walking group who insisted on a photo, and I was happy to oblige. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A passing group at Whites River Hut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was now on a fire trail, up through Schlink Pass and past the Schlink Hilton (hut), before turning off towards the picturesque Valentine Hut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Valentine Hut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Valentine Hut I was extremely lucky to meet the caretaker, his mother and 3 sons. They had just finished a working bee over the long weekend and were incredibly hospitable, plying me with tea and goodies. Real tea with real milk, what a luxury!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Valentine Hut caretaker and family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I camped near the hut for the night. The next morning (Day 28) was cloudless. After crossing Valentine Creek I climbed the hill and looked back to the hut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
View across Valentine Creek <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I followed the track to Grey Mare Hut, which I visited to install a new visitors\u2019 book (the previous one was full and had been removed by the caretaker). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I continued north, stopping for a chat with a bike rider engaged in a long distance race to Canberra. Shortly afterwards I stopped at the Tumut River for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bulk of Mt Jagungal loomed over me to the east as I continued on the Grey Mare Trail, past O\u2019Keefes Hut and on to Mackeys Hut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mackeys Hut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So ended Week 4 of my AAWT walk, the highlight of the trip. Wonderful conditions over the Main Range, finishing with a classic rustic wooden slab hut to camp next to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physically, I am still all good. The toe abrasions have healed. My left knee gets a bit tight – sore when stepping over logs but fine for walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some progress totals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps: 860,000
Snakes sighted: 19
Leaches sighted: 1
Other AAWT walkers sighted: 3
Flies sighted: Plenty, but less now as the weather gets cooler
Brumbiesc sighted: 14
Deer sighted: 2<\/p>\n\n\nPhoto Gallery<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\tAAWT_Week_4 <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>GPX\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/marker>\n\t\t\t\t<\/defs>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t50<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t100<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t150<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t200<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t\t5<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/g>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t\t10<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/g>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t\t15<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/g>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/rect>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\tDistance (km)<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t (m)<\/text>\n\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/line>\n\t\t\t\t<\/g>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t
No elevation data<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Name: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Distance: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Minimum elevation: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Maximum elevation: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Elevation gain: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Elevation loss: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t
Duration: <\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\tNo data<\/em><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gonna build a mountain and a daydream, gonna make \u2018em both come true\u2026 The Monkees. Week 4 started with a long day\u2019s walking. From Buenba […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1926,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[34,33],"class_list":["post-1663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bushwalking","tag-aawt","tag-australian-alps-walking-track"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/img_3250-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1249&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1663"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3121,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1663\/revisions\/3121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/geoffgoodyer.synology.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}