Mutiny on a Bluff

Hen Camp Creek, one day walk, 8^th September 2013.

Leader Keith Dyson. Nine walkers (seven members, two visitors). Blokes outnumber gals for a change 5 to 4 !

Briefing was ‘this is an exploratry walk, no idea what awaits us. So bring your sense of humour along in your day pack’.

Started walking at 0820, quick chat to the property owner as we passed by them, along the vehicle track for ten minutes, then wander through burnt out scrub above the creek bank for ten minutes and enter the creek at a nice pool. Start rock hopping along the creek.

Creek is flat and rock hopping was easy. Get to several channels, pick the dry one for easy going. After a short while come to a junction, dry boulder creek on left, we keep to the right as this looks like main creek and has small water flow. Further on come to another junction, keep right again (last trip this area we went left). After about one hour walking the rocks start to get larger, and the creek gradually inclines. Come to a large pool with cascade on the other side, climb along left side. Then come to another large pool with cascade, spectacular view. Go right, short scramble over, up, down, and up rocks and ledges, then left along a short wide ledge, long step over the running water, up the rock slope on left, then  short scrub bash over the bluff, and smoko at the top at 0950, good views. Some nice small pools here. Approx 5 km walking to here.

1020 moving again, creek incline continues, more boulders and rock hopping, several nice spots with small cascades and pools. At about 1110 arrive at a long deep pool and canyon with a cascade (Nick advised this is usual club lunch spot). 6.74 km walk too here (but 3.2 km straight line from start point) 2.5 hrs actual walking. 212 mr altitude at the pool. Some look at the inviting pool. But our leader is looking at the steep cliffs of the canyon, and the bluffs above, - well, it is early. Hans starts exploring up the right bluff. So we follow, Hans says ‘ are you really coming up here?’ – ‘Yep’ – ‘oh’ he says. Scrub bashing and scrambling up loose surface and through debris, we come to what is a false top. Hans says it just keeps going up. But I say we need to go across to get down to the creek. But we are blocked by sheer cliff below, along the side by boulders, or slopes with loose surface. Very loose surface so can’t go close to canyon edges. Keep climbing more, but every time we try to go across we get blocked or looks ‘uncomfortable’ so scramble up some more. Every way we tried, the only feasible way was further up. Get to a spot with good views over the upper canyon. A nice cascade is seen, gotta get down to that ! Keep trying but this sheer sided cliff wall we are above just keeps going. Now 1145. Try to get down a small bit, very slippery on loose soil and leaves / grass, so I slide down to try that as a route. Hans follows. But the first two ladies aren’t comfortable (don’t blame them). Getting back up would be a challenge after nine of us has passed through and disturbed the slope. Looking longingly at that cascade below, then at the time, then the terrain ahead and above, I am starting to have doubts. Then looking back at the group above me, Glenys firmly states ‘we are thinking of having a mutiny!’ (I kinda expected that). The long pool and canyon for lunch was very tempting, and better than this scramble bush bashing, considering the time. I look down to the great scene below, then the cliff line, then the terrain and loose surface ahead, and back up at the group - and wistfully think, turning back is a good idea. So munity on a bluff it was.  ‘Lets turn back’ I declare – there was much rejoicing.  But, I still had to lead (what sort of a mutiny is that?). A quick 15 minute scramble and we are back down on the rock platform and pool at bottom of canyon at 1200. I announce, ‘look, we are making good time, we should try the left hand side bluff, maybe we can get over that’ – but there was not any enthusiasm, just dark glares cast my way. Another mutiny ? (mind you, it is only the females that threaten mutiny). So time for a refreshing swim. Some are brave and jump right in, some are timid and slowly enter the water – it was brisk, but great.

After a one hour lunch, we start heading back at 1300. Stop along the way for quick swim at the morning smoko pools. 1515 back at the pool where we entered the creek.  I ask if we want to stop for a final swim but ‘ice cream time’ was the reply from many (females, again). So leave the creek and walk through burnt out land along the foot track then onto the vehicle track and back at cars at 1535.

Stop at Rollingstone corner store for ice creams, head down to the park to enjoy our ice creams on the creek bank. Then drive home. An early finish.

Total walk distance about 13 km. 2.5 hours walking (moving time) one way. An easy, and very good walk at this time of year. Lunch spot at UTM (WGS84) ****************

Next time at the lunch canyon suggest try left hand side to get over the bluff and into creek at the top of canyon. Gotta get to that waterfall up there !

There is always something really good just around the corner or just over the hill…..!