[SUBW-A] Trip report - 12-16th July 3 peaks bludge trip

[jbev1596 at mail.usyd.edu.au]

The group: James Bevan, Dave Lee, Jiri Svec & Chris Sadler

We left the carpark down in the megalong valley and scooted down carlon
creek. Breakfast creek was even drier than last time. There weren't ecven
any pools of water until just before Black Horse creek. As an alternative
to Blackhorse Ridge, we climbed Cattle Dog ridge. It was quite steep to
begin with and everyone realised the extent of what lay ahead. The fresh
morning breeze kept us moving and before long, we reached the large
conglomerate outcrops. For those not aquainted with this ridge, give it a
try. We had some great fun squeezing through the tight canyon-like
sections. The lookout above is equally impressive, with uninterrupted 180
degree views.

We met the blue dog track and headed for lunch at splendour rock. Instead
of heading straight up we climbed thommo's chains. There were in pretty
good condition and even with full packs, we got up without any problems.
The view from splendour rock was outstanding. We could see from the
krungle bungles to kanangra walls and lake burragorang. The rugged Mt
Guouogang looked ominous.

After a cold and windy lunch we headed towards the cox's. We got the fire
going at yellow pup and before long Dave, Jiri and Chris had their
sausages roasting.

The next morning we headed up towards kanangra creek for water...bone dry!
So we crossed our fingers and filled up from the cox's. Jiri managed to
find a small outlet running underground from kanangra.

Strongleg was steep at first, with a myriad of tracks making things
confusing. But once it formed the spur proper it wasn't too bad. We had
some fine views over kanangra creek. We had elevenses after skirting round
mt strongleg and aimed for lunch on cloudmaker.

Along the way we took in some fine views from Mt Moorilla Maroo and enjoyed
(NOT!) some scrub around dex Creek. We decided on the Direct route to
cloudmaker rather than the spur. It took us a bit longer than expected and
after venting our anger, we signed the logbook and headed for mt
stormbreaker.

The descent to Kanangra creek was steep but quite manageable. However,
Dave's decision to bring volleys wasn't paying dividends. The shock to his
knees after the morning's climb was causing problems. So with light fading
quickly we camped on a nice flat spot about 300 from the bottom.

Once the fire was roaring spirits lifted and Jiri spotted a light in the
distance. He believed it to be house as it was so far away yet quite
distinctive. We doubted anything would be visible from down there???

I slept soundly next to the fire and we made an early start for breakfast.
Kanangra creek was flowing quite well. After a good serving of porridge
Dave decided his knees were up to it so we trudged up Mt Paralyser.
Although it was pretty rugged we made good time. With minimal stops we
reached the logbook after 2.5 hrs. After sweating a fair bit, we cooled
down pretty quickly on the summit, so we decided to find a nice spot for
lunch on the other side.

That we did...we found a spot with a great view of nooroo buttress. It was
one of the highlights of the walk. After a morning of exertion, the sun
came out, and we closed our eyes for some shut eye. Chris made a meal of
pasta which we enjoyed immensely.

By 2.30 it was time to be off. We turned off the main ridge and made a step
descent towards whalania creek. What a special place. We scrambled around
some beautiful waterfalls. and made camp on Jenolan Creek. We had an
enjoyable night round the fire, with 500 and a new form of tennis being
the main forms of entertainment.

The next morning we heated up some porridge in the billy made the night
before (please don't try this at home!!). Temperatures around zero made
this interesting but with plenty of honey and Gomasio, we made do.

The trek up Nooroo Buttress wasn't easy, but the work from paralyser was
starting to pay off. We made great time before things became a little
scrubby. The reward was extraordinary views back toward paralyser and
around to davies canyon. Towards the top we encountered a few cliffs which
we grunted up and after bashing through Guouogangus scungeii we reached the
summit - the feeling - pure ecstasy! The massive cairn afforded up 360
degree views...we could see splendour rock, narrowneck and even over the
kedumba valley to kings tableland.

We then headed over the krungle bungles for the cox's river. After the
delights experienced in reaching the summit, we found the descent a little
tiresome. After powering up guouogang, Jiri's knee swelled up and was
causing some considerable pain. We still made pretty good time, and had
lunch on Mt Queahgong. On the descent to the cox's, we met some past  SUBW
Tiger walkers completing an anniversary 4 day 3 peaks trip. We made the
cox's just after nightfall and succumbed to the peace of the fire. The
night was rather chilly. I rugged up in double thermals, gore-tex, and
double polar fleece to complement my synthetic bag.

The next day we had an easy stroll up the cox's river. We reached Breakfast
Creek pretty quickly so headed for Galong Creek. Along the way we
encountered a feral pig and racing behing her, haif a dozen piglets. We
approached the piglets, and the mother kept on going. The younguns stopped
and attempted camouflage by crouching in the grass. I was able to get right
up close to one. I wanted to get rid of it, but couldn't. However, a light
poke (I was within 1 metre and it hadn't moved!) which prompted an amusing
high pitched squeal.

After a gourmet lunch on Galong creek we encounted a not so healthy looking
wombat before attacking the waterfalls. As usual, they were good fun and we
reached the carpark by 3.30. Very satisfied and rather on the nose!!

I must take my hat off to those who've completed the full walk in 48 hrs!
The peak of Mt Guouogang is certainly something worth savouring, as are
the depths of Whalania deep. From this experience I will be back but not
before too long.

Thanks to Dave, Jiri and Chris for coming along. Can't wait for the next
one!

James Bevan

Photos:

http://community.webshots.com/album/163718948yBXHTw





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