Blue Mountains Bushwalk - Mt Solitary Kedumba Pass Circuit

The JFR adventure splinter were at it again. Even though somewhat depleted with other members doing it tough in places like Steamboat and Aspen CO, Shoul Bay even.

The call was sent out for a gentle stroll in the Blue Mountains for a few days. With Ivan and Clive taking up the challenge.

Happy Adventurers

The Gear shakedown is an important element in planning. Requiring checking gear. What we have and what we don't. Best done with sundowners, a cold amber nectar in hand. And accompanied by a very delectable plate of eats from Jackie. Who observing the goings-on suggested that this was more 'Broke back mountain' than blue mountains. Having not seen the movie, I was completely oblivious to the connotations. Not Ivan, being the movie and theater buff. Although legend has it his best sleeping is done there. It certainly put paid to any notion of taking the 2 man tent. That's settled he's taking the one man tent, I'm doing the hammock. With plenty of space between.

Departure at crack of dawn meant time for Beans and Chorizo breakfast at a bohemian cafe in Katoomba. This added a clip to our step and gas in the tank for the camp fire that evening. We did our gear Weigh-in at Scenic World; my pack came in at 12.5kg. Ivan 11kg. And that with the 2008 Shiraz decanted into plastic bottles, excellent. And we set off with much gusto. Much banter a flowing. Particularly about when was tea stop to tuck into Ivan's (read Jacky) Xmas cake.

Important Cargo

Route for the day. Down Faber steps. Right turn half way down the mountain onto Federal Pass, Walk around the wall. Take a detour to check out the Ruined Castle. Up mt Solitary. Along the top of mt Solitary.  Down to Kedumba river. Easy.

Day One

Food pretty important on the trail. Actually right up there. Along with, well in this case separate sleeping quarters, Broke Back Mountain, please. We had divi'd up responsibilities. Me dinner. Ivan breakfast and snacks. Snacks Like the Xmas cake, yum. Xmas cake with no guilt. Just cos we're camping doesn't mean we don't eat like kings right. So the cuisine of choice was native. African, with an Aboriginal twist. Ivan had regaled to me of his many years in the bush as a youth. Not sure St Ives in the 60s qualifies as bush, anyway.  Well the Witchetty Grub was the protein of choice for the aborigines. aka Mopane worms of Zim. Having just read Alex's bushcraft book he was now wise. All he had to do was look for 'sawdust' at the base of the wattle tree of which there were an abundance in the Blue Mountains. Apparently. (PS. I had a packet of dehydrated mince if this failed).

Witchetty Grub sighting..Not

So I was in charge of navigation. Ivan having failed the Great North Walk test. So Ivan; Aboriginal sites, flora, forna and of course bush-craft. Watch out all Witchitty grubs.

Trail Mix ala Ivan

Once you're down to the Federal Pass trail that follows a level path around the Blue Mountains you've dropped all the day tourists and you're on your own. It's a brilliant track. In fact in certain trail running quarters, the section of track closer to Echo point has been called 'the best run in the world'. Big call and worthy. Dumped the backpacks at the diversion leading up to the Ruined Castle. And the lego Block like Rock formations certainly looked something like a ruined Castle. Back down, our bags still where we'd left them and off to our main challenge for the Day. Mt Solitary. It was a slog and scramble up Solitary. The question being posed in certain quarters,  Was this 'Type Two Fun'. For those not in the know. T2 is like delayed gratification. It's not fun now,  maybe in a weeks time it will. Unlike T1 fun. its immediate,  just not a lasting memory. Get the drift.  We were rewarded with stunning views though. And with appropriate stops for more Xmas cake all was good.

You sure this is Mt Solitary?

 It had a narrow peak line, we traversed the length east west, with constantly changing vistas of the Blue Mountains to the North where we'd come from and South, and we weren't going there. We were going down. If it was a scramble coming up it was tumble downwards. A real ankle breaker.  Ivan flying down. Like a Down Hill Racer!

Navigator

Both trekkers were most excited to see the Kedumba river, like Livingstone discovering the long lost Zambezi. Sweet. And first order of the day was a swim, soak and 'spa' at the bottom of the rapids, well not really rapids. Anyway, mighty refreshing non the less.

Sleeping quarters now an imperative before it's too dark. Suitably distanced wattles by the river to string the Hammock and a sandbank 100 paces down stream for tent occupant. It should be pointed out that the Hammocker had decided not to bring the tarp, not that I had one. And after all we're talking Aussie summer,  there is no rain. So all is good.

Clive's Cocoon

Sundowners

Not too surprisingly, all Witchetty Grubs who value their lives, had covered up any give away 'saw dust' tracks, so our Grub hunter's knapsack remained empty for the full 20k. Not a Grub to be seen. He attempted to redeem himself by demonstrating his fire making skills. So there was no Indigenous to add to the African recipe, it would have added some crunch I reckon. No problem, the local Zimbo did his nation proud with the quality, texture of the Sadza (pup) cooked up. Make the relish with Knorrs Beef & Tomato soup and rehydrated mince, throw in some biltong pieces and this was a feast fit for kings. It was greeted with much approval by the Aussie contingent. Accompanied by the Shiraz what else can some happy and tired campers wish for. Well on thing the Hammock sleeper wished for was 'No Rain'.

Ivan likes Biltong

So as campfire stories tailed off and the magic 9pm sleep o'clock approached, bed was a beckoning. One last look up to confirm clear skies. The Doctor turned right to his abode. The Gordon Ramsey of camp cooking turned left. And all was bliss. Bliss as long as you had ear plugs to soften the deafening crescendo from the cicadas. They were unbelievable.  The hammock was good. The mossie net was good. Yet blow me down at 1am the rain started. Not hard, a gentle drizzle. Damn. And under the tree canopy I was a little sheltered. Just the water droplets were bigger falling off the leaves, like a thud on my mossie net. And now!. No Doubt Ivan was also contemplating my next move. Contemplating with great in-trepidation. Was there going to be a knock on his tent door. Like Suzie Quattro's 'You keep on knockin' but you cant come in' Imagine if word got back to Jackie. No more hiking adventures for him. And this rain wasn't stopping. I relented i had to get up. Some of my hiking clothes and shoes were out. So on goes the headlamp. I'm rustling around. Ivan hollers 'Who's that?'. Well let's think about that one for a moment!! Anyway. being the ingenious little camper, i cut up an emergency plastic poncho, laid it over the mossie net. Hopped back into Hammock, rammed in the ear plugs and was gone. Leaving Ivan tossing and a turning all night. Gotta love the bush.

We hadda refreshing morning dip to loosen the cobwebs. Breakfast; muesli from Ivan and powdered milk. Sorted out water ie boiled and nuked with pills. Faffed about a bit packing up and headed off. The start was a bit of a lung buster start. Straight up a saddle. about a 3k stretch until we hit the fire trail (sublime trail road). The boys were on a mission, moving at pace up. never ending up. Ivan kept 'half-wheeling' me. I'd get next to him, he'd move one step ahead. I'd try get up, he'd move ahead. Eventually he left me a forlorn figure. Even with my power poles. He was charging.

Cross training

We came across a Adventure Runner. Just to put us in our place. He was running/walking the 40k in one day what we'd taken 2. And it was midday when we met up. He had some trucking to go, in the heat of the day.

Eventually made it back to Federal Pass. At about the point Ivan ran out of gas. Bonked completely, so struggled gallantly to the top. A Coke hit helped. Chocolate Milkshake hit the spot even better.

In dire need of a sugar hit

A mandatory pitstop at daggy Pymble Pub for a pint when we made it back to Sydney to celebrate a most successful adventure.

Cheers

Another one for the team.

The long way up

Adventur-O-Meter

Fun	4
Adventure	4
Challenge	3
Skill	2

Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

The sleepy calm of the North Shore was shattered this Friday. The Bikie wars, synonymous with Queensland and Western Sydney reared its ugly head on the leafy avenues of st ives and Turramurra.

Our reporter on the scene says the argie bargie spilled over on Bobbo. A notorious stretch of road known as a hot bed of Bikie activity.

By all accounts, the altercation occurred between the JFR,  a group more renowned for its pacifist nature and the Northern Suburbs hard chargers. In times past these two were known allies, typically pitting themselves against a common foe, the Turramurrans.  It appears the JFR 'Youth' leader, a very vocal kiwi, reputedly with a 'sleeve', Benjo, (renowned for his Larsonator and local supplier of contraband to Bikies in the area) voiced his disapproval of the itinerant behaviour displayed by the Northern Suburbs patriarch, George. George of Lebanese decent, with a front business in 'panel beating' who has adorned a mo since the seventies, well before Movember became popular, is not to be messed with. He clearly had the demonstrate his authority in front of his followers. 

Bikie wars spill over up on the North Shore

While both refused to comment, the legal counsel for both parties (strange but true, having bought abundant Bikie contraband and in need of a panel beater) and senior JFR member,  known as one of the originals, is apparently preparing a statement. It could be a long time coming as he's out secret training at Monte.

Attempts to contact other JFRer's proved futile. One, affectionately known as the Down Hill Racer, just said he was charging ahead, as there was a Strava Segment approaching, for Kudos!  

We also attempted to gate crash the JFR 'Club House' better known as Stanley St. This proved difficult. There was quite a raucous at this fortified establishment Friday evening. With even some of the members bikie chicks hanging till quite late in the evening. Well late for a Bikie gang. As all needing to be up for the early loop the next morning. Whatever that 'code' is meant to be.

I suspect this is not the last we will hear of this.   

Patonga to Newcastle - a gentle morning ride

Excellent day adventure.
What else do you do on a 'day off' but take a gentle ride to Newcastle. Not quite from Sydney. From Patonga. Why Patonga? See tomorrow Tracey and I do another adventure. A section of the great North Walk. Wondabyn to Patonga. So instead of catching bus and train back., we Jump in the car after the hike. That's if It's still there.
Had map printed out. Just needed to look at it more regularly. Met a fellow rider, so tagged with Paul for coffee at Terrigal. Sweet.
Terrigal to The Entrance ok. Then took wrong turn. Taking long way round Brisbane waters and Lake Macquarie. So +/-20k more with few hills. Didn't follow the coast line as planned.
Steak n potato pie and coke in Swansea. Man tasted too good.
Highlight was the thorn? Track. Reclaimed rail trail approx 20k to Newcastle. Excellent. Through bush. Through train tunnel. A fine ride.
Fish n chips on Newcastle waterfront . Train home.
More fun tomorrow.

GNW Teralba to Newcastle

Dammit. I wrote this up a week ago.  Now I have the pictures from Peter, can't find the sucker. Must have press the wrong button.  Not the one that says SAVE.

The mission to finish the GNW must continue. So went on a recruitment drive. with email to all. Well not all, just the Jelly's who's normal Saturday fun is Manly Swim Run. Much enthusiasm. Except for one who was busy conveyancing that day.

We had a quorum. Hedgie, Ivanovic, Padre were all game. Good onya boys and Not deterred by a somewhat unfriendly start time; 5:23 Hornsby Station platform 1.

While most, no all of the other passengers dozed off, much merriment from this JFR splinter.

Peter sporting latest Scody tights. Trendy.

Teralba stop-off. A now familiar locale, having turned left to do the GNW to Paxton. Obligatory Selfie at the Trackhead and with a right turn we head off. 

Keep a watch out for The Post Boys! These three Great North Walk neophytes were clearly not familiar with the GNW signage 'The Post'. At Warner Bay, ran passed, comeback fellas. A great run round Macquarie Lake all the same, note this for future visits. And a real growers market. And fresh mushrooms to boot, definitely remember this place. 

Another missed Post. Man, how many times do you have to hall these boys back. Emerging out of a bush track to the edge of a suburb, i noticed a descrete Post pointing to the right, back into the bush. Of course The Three Happy Chappies charged up the hill. Payback time. So waited till they reached the top before feeling compelled to haul them back down. At least i'm now leading again keeping the pace under control. We were all now alert to posts, i suspect. 

 A lot more bush trail than I imagined and from what looked like on the map. Not complaining though. All troopers far happier in the scrub than the road. 

The plan was to to the 25.5km to Newcastle in about 3 hrs. That would get us in on time for the 10:23 back to Sydney. So we had to keep up a fairly decent pace. A task taken on by strong man Pete. Calling on all his New York Marathon experiences. He'd charge off, leaving even Andrew in his wake. There was method to his madness, he'd turn back to take happy snappies of the stragglers. Pace setter and Chief Photographer. 

note good knee lift & Ivan tipping his Cap, morning Sir

Also note from the pic above who's the pack horse. What's going on here... 

A quick stop for morning tea, with out the tea, some bananas, gu for you, supplied from the pack-horse. And the stallions are are rearing to go. 
Not before a sign, not a post, large enough to ensure you're on the right track. Just no arrow pointing which way. A photo shoot opportunity non the less. 

What's the name of this hike again?

Another Exciting Adventure and one for the ladies, is the Fernleigh Track. A reclaimed rail line that runs for 20 odd k from Belmont to Adams Town, just outside Newcastle. Confirmed a winner by Andrew AND Rhonda. goes through a tunnel as well.  looking at this pic it certainly has captured someone's imagination. 

And only 9k to go. getting closer to the ocean. 

My my, this trail has it all, rail tracks and rickety rackety bridges. 

 And finally we get a glimpse of the ocean. And a good view spot it is. As i say this trail has it all. And more to come. 

 And the lads are starting to struggle a little. Not too surprising. Heat of the day set in. And time for another selfie. Who says this selfie business is for GenX. 

And too the famous Mereweather Baths. 100m long. We had the budgies to do the obligatory lap. Alas time was not on our-side  It already was 10:30. So now we were pressing to make the 11:23. 

Only on 1.6k to go. and this was after a monstrous hill. well not monstrous to most, having done 24k it was a labour, some kept the pace up though. 

Turns out good thing we got this snappy at the trackhead as we could find the end one down by the station. 

Egg n Bacon roll was a beckoning. 

Boys look as fresh as a bunch of Daisies. ANd those that missed out. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) would now well and truly set in. 

Good one. Thanks Fellas. 

GNW: Teralba to Newcastle 3:40min

GWN Teralba to Congewai valley

Continued quest to finish this Great North Walk. Things like new job getting in the way of progress. Sweet talking Family for rides to start or end point also.

So last time finished in Congewai Valley. BTW learnt the its pronounced Conjeeway, not like Gongawai.

So ideally would liked to start there and finish, well where i finish which would hopefully be at the end. aka Newcastle. Not to be. Despite big selling job with offers of night up at wine farm on thursday. Alas, too responsible these workers.

Having said that, having had fathers day and birthday it was like hiking heaven, with a plethora of new gear to motivate one. Like; new carbon fiber hiking poles. Some doof head laughed at the concept, huh, i bite my thumb in your general, westerly direction. these are the best hikers friend. Also cool down jacket. As spring bring out not only flowers but big mark downs on all things winter for hiking.

Train trip from Hornsby>Newcastle, I'm a regular on this, to Teralba. A two bit town really. i did find the best coffee and Egg and bacon rolls in Teralba at, aptly named the Teralba Country Kitchen:

Not only the best, the ONLY Egg and Bacon roll and coffee in Teralba. Own by a sweet old biddie who lamented that demise of the coal industry. Carbon tax know doubt the culprit. With tomorrow being voting day know doubts her leaning. Wish i'd taken a pic of her, looked the part, no end.

Right turn back across the railway station and towards hunter valley. a long walk 6k on road until eventually hitting the trail for real. Few more k and pass under the M1. through this weird area, with mining subsistance all over. warning signs, stay on the track they say.

Through Awaba state forest. following the ridge line. getting used to these hiking poles. finally come to Branxton - Toronto Rd. Stop off for Lunch at the Servo. Two guys, just finished a hike. Keen to tell me they're training for Kakoda. Not the 'tourist' Kakoda. the real one the the Diggers dug into. One guy with a cracked head. hit a rock. Another Bacon n Egg roll. best thing on the menu.

then climb up into the Watagans for real. a great walk. follows the ridge line over looking the Hunter valley and then to the North. Spring, the Rock Orchids are out.

the trail followed the ridge line, precipice each side. pictures really can't capture. Steap on one side, much much steeper on the other.

and even hard walkin' hikers need to wash at the end of the day. or at least when the opportunity arises. 

Now to the campsite destination. Map showed not too far away. Just didnt show that it hugged the edge of the cliff face, literally. Now it was dark. Now i was tired. And with water being long way, fully loaded. Now i was stumbling around. this would have been a great section hike. Just all i wanted was the campsite.

Eventually came to the Mclean point at 8pm ish. Quick nosh up and time for bed.

some great views first thing in the morning.

Good start following the ridge over looking the Hunter. this would be a good day walk. Just not too much water. then a fire down below. Maybe not such a good place to be right now. Fire in the valley. Wind blowing straight up the hill towards me. So maybe we should get down the other side as quickly as we can. So no second night stop over.

A great walk down to Congewai valley. Just running low on water. Then hallelujah, a sign, 500 m off track. Well low and behold a friendly stable horsey centre, similar to the one in hidden valley earlier on the GNW (see blog to Paxton). And a Dunny. With a view. And blow me down, i have the urge to avail myself of its patronage. And a good time to study the map. Took some time to set the camera up as you can see.

So wildlife is few and far between. Saw a Roo, early in the morning. then saw these weird critters. A bunch of catapillars, all walking ontop of each other. Weird. They saw or felt my presence, immediately stopped. then when safe, all in unison marched off, still climbing on the fella (or fella'es) in front. Must find out what they are:

And after that excitement, with reduced payload, had extra spring in the step to get down to the valley Floor. then a short walk up the road with the plan to meet up with Tracey.

So only the Teralba to Newcastle section left todo. Should be good.

GNW - Wondabyne to Patonga

A good one. Day walk with Tracey. 22k Wonda to Tonga. Actually only supposed to be 18, according to map. A few wrong turns along the way. Some one got it in the neck for that.

And a section of the Great North Walk not yet done.

Basically you start at one location on the hawkesbury hike up to the highest point on the central coast, Mtn Wondabyne and back down to another spot on the hawkesbury. Only difference, the end spot has a pub awaiting.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/341233870


gotta love the train trip. and the drop off at Wonda siding. Just tell the warden/guard fella and stay at the back, siding only accommodates the last wagon. he wasnt there when we hopped on, put us into a flat spin. Hell wouldn't want to be dropped of in Woy Woy, heaven forbid.
I was the pack horse. Tracey's first biggish walk since her Grand Canyon days. We're talking pre-kids here. Obligatory happy snap at trail-head sign. A little chilly still:

Slog upto the top of the range of Brisbane Water NP.

finally right turn to Patonga, and meander downwards. Good amount of water flowing in the rivers. And happy!

 Came across Duke of Ed group, led by crusty old hiking veterans. some looked ok, others wishing when this hell would finish. Veterans backpacks must have wieghed 14kg odd. nothing. Kids looked like they'd bought the kitchen sink. Experience tells. One Crusty had just done 13days in NT, proud to tell us.

Next stop great waterfall and swimming pool. would be good in summer.

when there's a river, it's followed by a big haul up to the top. joys. then ajoins a fire trail before a repeat.

Made the cal to take slight detour up the top on Mtn Wonda. Could not, not after all this way [does that make sense]. Great views all around.

Lunch was calling. Suitable spot required and quickly. A visit to the camping shop day before, bought a yummy dehydrated meal to cook.Mexican Chicken. didnt realise the refried beans would have such an immediate effect on someone...

And after a good meal, some R&R time essential. hard to believe, mid winter, in Tee shirts, shoes off and enjoying the sun.

Only one hour allowed for lunch. We had a long rather uninteresting slog on the fire trails from here, to the drop down to Patonga. Great vista across to Westhead with now reluctant photo model. So selfie was the go. Not a cloud in the sky. Good to choose oh wise one.

 
And trailhead at the end. the pub nigh in sight. And car strategically left there the day before still there. How did you get the car there and get back you ask? that's another story.

And a well earned drink at the end. All parties suitably rewarded.

So only the Newcastle leg of  GNW left. needs to be done by end of month.