Cockatoo Rock 2019
Sunday 17 March 2019.
Watching the BOM radar during Saturday night showing rain over Mt Eliot, then Sunday morning the radar showed heavy rain over Mt Eliot still. Send text messages about the weather, thinking this will scare people off and cancel the walk. But, no, all still keen, on doing something. So at meet point, there are ten hardy ‘mad’ bushwalkers. I tell them they are all mad. They just grin back. Jo says she lost her hat on the rock last year – best we go and find it then. So I say we will go to Alligator Creek day use area and re-assess plan.
Assemble at Alligator Creek, getting ready, starts raining, so we go the shelter. During the walk brief, mention about slippery rocks, trying conditions etc - but all still keen to try Cockatoo. So 7:50 am, we start walking, in the rain. Pure madness this day is. But maybe they will have enough of wet rocks by the time we get to the waterfall and that will do ? Start along the national park track, then before Cockatoo Creek go bush through long grass and light scrub on the shortcut and to avoid the creek. Soon in the distance ahead, Cockatoo Rock stands out, high above, not far away. Looks easy.
A mixture of scrub walking along side of the creek and wet rock hopping, 1.5 hrs we are just shy of the boulder field. Quick break. Tease the group by advising that Cockatoo Rock is only 500 meters away – but at last two hours walk though. Then navigate the boulder field, wet rocks makes it challenging. The cascade that provides the blockage, some climb a slippery boulder using a tree, others wade through the water and cascade. We then progress up to the waterfall, effectively two groups, some in middle of the creek, others along the side. Arrive at the waterfall, which is flowing well, and the pool is magnificent (the best I have seen it for some years). A great swim. Now the sun came out and the heat and humidity increased.
Make our way above the waterfall to near the large fig tree. “What now ?” they ask. I point at a steep break in the cliff line, a stream of water flowing down it– “up there”. “Oh”. (last year it was dry and easy). The rock is only 460 metres away – but a big climb up. We start the climb up this cliff break (near vertical in parts), flowing water and wet rocks add to that challenging climb. Some of us decide to get out of the creek line after watching the fitter stronger ones struggle at one bit. This slowed us down, then we found stinging tree, not by sight but by touch – ouch. In tangled vines and rocks, it was slow heavy sweaty going. Time to leave the creek. We are still entangled in vines, rocks and scrub – and the barbed wire vine is shredding legs and hands - supposed be fun. It is slow going, we are now 300 metres from the rock. It wasn’t this hard last year, or maybe forgot the hard stuff ? Continue slow progress, I am knackered. Close to the rock we split into two groups. Then three. Most go to top of the rock, two of us go to the base of the rock. Find new pick tape near base of the rock, and old blue tape – somebody’s route up, but different to ours. On top of the rock there are great views. Joy points out “Joys Cliff” on the other side of the creek, trying to harness enthusiasm to do that one day.
At 2 pm, time to head home. From base of the rock, Graeme leading, we head down, the going is very rough and challenging. Lot of vines, boulders, holes and challenges. Several times we use tree roots to slide down large slippery boulders, some of us are out of our comfort zones, but all make it. Good team work providing instruction on how to come down those tricky bits. I was cursing Graeme a bit for this route, until I started to recognise some parts from last year – so similar route from last year (the terrain forces you into this route). We passed through large patch of stinging tree. After 1.5 hrs, only 600 metres distance, we reach Cockatoo Creek for a break and swim. All are very dirty, sweaty, and numerous cuts, scratches and bruises. It had been a tough climb up and an even tougher climb down. Some people looked worn out. Glenys was glaring and cursing me – I had promised this would be nice. The swim was refreshing, cleansed people back to being almost pristine, and provided vigour for the final leg home. Then a rock hop or bush bash creek side, and the long grass short cut “are we lost?”, back onto the national park track to arrive at the car park at 5:10 pm. Then go to the roadhouse for the obligatory ice creams and cold drinks, a suitable end to a great (but tough) day. Next time I think of this in wet conditions, to quote Wilfred “please hit me over the head with a limp of 4x2”.
Next walk will be easier !
