Herbert River Gorge 1979

Herbert River Gorge 12-14th May 1979

Party:- Jim Cameron, Ann Duckett, Ron Nennis, Chris Smith, Darryl Wright and myself.

Sub Plot:- Harry Kershaw, Jill Reynolds & Lily Marcelle.

Aim:- To traverse Herbert gorge from falls to Blencoe Ck junction.

Ron, Jim and I departed Townsville at 1800 on Friday 11 May 79 and arrived at Blencoe Ck crossing at 2100. Ann, Chris, Darryl were already camped there with Harry, Jill and Lily. Darryl had already put his car in location at the top of the Herbert/Blencoe junction with his and Ron's Kayaks. Therefore we made an early departure and drove to Glen Eagle where my vehicle was left. We commenced walking at 0900 and had a chance to try out the waterproofing of our packs when we swam the Herbert river near for 2/3 of the homestead. There was much more flow than when the club had crossed here on Queen's birthday 1978! The usual compass walk in bad grass seed country and we were at the falls. I chose the same steep loose route into the gorge 2/3 of the falls that I used in 1978, and we were down by 1300 for a late lunch.

The next km was the slowest part of the trip. Several river xings were required to negotiate the small falls and avoid vertical walls and drops. The rope was used several times for safety and lowering packs, however the last person (usually Jim or Darryl) had to free climb down. The pace was fairly constant with little rest, and frequent river xings. Camp was made next to a high supply of driftwood just on nightfall. The dry sand area was limited, but everyone was comfortable. We all carried only a blanket and a space blanket to keep bulk and wt down, to facilitate waterproofing of our packs. This proved adequate for warmth. Ron and I carried small inflatable boats, and the others lilos to raft the "canyon" section Harry had told us about. The canyon section was encountered early on the 2nd day and a relaxing time was spent rafting this section, and admiring the pink granite walls. Good progress was made all day with few stops, and many river xings. Camp was made earlier on a better site this time.

next morning we set off in light drizzle which later cleared. Rock hopping in the bed of the gorge is hard going in dry conditions, and the rain made it even more difficult. The rocks are so slimy that care is needed to avoid a serious fall. River xing and traverses were again used to avoid difficult sections and vertical rock faces. At 1130 we swam a big waterhole to rendezvous with Harry, Jill and Lily at the Bloodwood Ck junction. A truly magnificent campsite and waterhole, with a welcome cup of tea. While Harry gave us directions on how to climb out of the gorge on the Bloodwood spur, we lightened our wetpacks by giving our little left over food to Jill.

We then departed the gorge via Bloodwood spur and waited on the road while Darryl & Jim walked over to bring back Darryl's car, "exploring" some broken country on the way. Darryl then took me over to pick up my car from Glen Eagle, and he then proceeded via mt. Garnet to nurse a damaged front suspension. I left Glen Eagle at 1830 and arrived back in Townsville at 0110. We left Ron at Blencoe Ck to make camp in the dark. He consequently dragged his kayak down into the gorge and canoed down the river to Abergowrie on his own.

This quick trip was only an introduction to the absolute wilderness of the Herbert gorge, and as any description I give of the gorge could not do it justice I have not tried. I hope there will be many days spent in the gorge getting to know it in more detail.

Allan Watson