[SUBW-A] TRIP REPORT: Budawangs, 22-23 Dec 2007

[Thomas Gleeson]

TRIP REPORT: BUDAWANGS, 22-23 Dec 2007


Adrian Blake
Anne Williamson
Mr G

Summary: Lots of jaffles, lots of Hammer 'n Tongs, lots of damn fine
Budawangs scenery, lots of leeches...

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5773&l=0aef3&id=511134958


I'd always wanted to have a look around Hidden Valley and on this trip we
did just that.  The drive from Sydney was via Goulburn and Nerriga, to the
park entrance at Sassafras.  Only the last 3.5km along the private road
slowed us down, with a rather stony 4WD track forcing us to concentrate. 
Anne and I drove down on the Friday evening, had some jaffles and some
Hammer 'n Tongs, before being joined by Adrian on the Saturday morning. 
We had some more jaffles for breakfast then got going.

>From the locked gate at the Sassafras entrance it was a 6km road bash to
Newhaven Gap then a further 3km road bash past Camp Rock and Red Johnny's
Cave to The Vines.  From here we took the track south past Quiltys
Mountain.  By now it was time for more jaffles and rehydration in the form
of Hammer 'n Tongs, though Huey was not pleased with us and sent driving
rain to extinguish our small fire.  So we packed up and continued south,
finding the turn off to Hidden Valley and pressing on.

Upon entering the valley we headed south and found Dark Brothers Cave,
where it was then time for another jaffle and some more Hammer n' Tongs. 
After this refreshment, we found the pass up onto Sturgiss Mountain, and
after some strightforward scrambling, were at the top, admiring the
surrounding views.  The wind was ferocious, with Huey threatening another
storm which never came.  Anyway, from the top of Sturgiss we enjoyed
uninterrupted views towards Quiltys, Hoddles Castle Hill, Hoddles,
Haughton, Tarn and Pigeon House (aka the Big Nipple).  We collected water
from pools on top of Sturgiss before scrambling back down into Hidden
Valley.  Exploration along the cliff line of the valley revealed two
interesting features, The Office and The Tunnel of Love...

So it was now time for dinner and the jaffles and Hammer n' Tongs were
back...

Next morning we woke up, had some jaffles, then headed out of the valley
and north along the track.  We dropped our packs along the way and climbed
up onto Quiltys Mountains to observe the ancient and impressive Bora
Ground.  We then scrub bashed to a southern point for expansive views of
the Budawangs.  From Quitlys we could now see Sturgiss Mountain in all its
glory...

Anyway, it was time to keep moving, and move we did, until we reached camp
rock and decided that it was time for more jaffles.  Unfortunately we had
run out of Hammer 'n Tongs so it was onto the Tang instead...

The afternoon road bash was fairly standard as far as road bashes go, with
the one interesting highlight being the small Jacky Lizard which we found
near Bhundoo Hill.

Well, it was quite a nice trip, and we now have great plans for more visits
to the Budawangs next year!  Thanks to Adrian and Anne for the good
company.

Go here for the photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5773&l=0aef3&id=511134958

Mr G.


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