Two Waterfalls - Sunday 29th November 2015

Escape the Townsville heat and head for two waterfalls in Mt Spec area is the plan. Crystal Creek falls and Gold Creek falls are the destination.

Started hike from Paluma dam car park at 0915. 11 walkers. Walked direct to Crystal Creek falls, arriving 1045 for late smoko and swim. Wilfred has never seen blue lagoon, so he and I charge off to investigate that while others swim, relax at main pool. Secret men’s business so we took nobody else. Back to the main pool. Down to the falls. Wilfred climbs down to the lower platform, but others do not, looked difficult.

Time to head for Gold Falls, about 1120 we head off. Arrived Gold Falls 1215, clamber down the rope to the pool. Great location, great pool. Wilfred goes off to investigate getting to bottom of the falls, I follow as it has been a long standing aim of mine – see how he does it, should be easy. At the narrow saddle we try there, but too steep and the landslide erosion make it impractical. So back up along the track about 10 metres, hmhmhm, looks ok for a bit here, still very steep, but down goes Wilfred, I follow. Very steep descent on usual loose surface, using tree, saplings and roots as handholds. Half way down I think of my insanity. Wilfred reaches the bottom, I am only 2/3 way down, at a difficult bit with no grip and no handholds. I am convinced Wilfred destroyed the handholds etc here just to challenge me !  Get past that and reach bottom. Wilfred is already climbing up the waterfall rockface. Great view of the waterfall from the bottom (bad day to leave camera at home). Watching Wilfred climb the rockface, I am thinking he will come back down soon. But no, he keeps going, and he makes it look difficult, so no way I am doing that. I go back up the slippery jungle way, going up is easier. Arrive back at waterfall top same time as Wilfred.

On way back one walker is unwell. Decide that we need to consider direct route back to car park, same way we came in -except up hill all the way. Reaching Crystal Falls, we decide we cannot continue and initiate emergency call process. Activate PLB (beacon) and use satellite phone to make phone calls.  At 1630 send 6 of the group back to cars, to reduce number of people onsite, under helicopter downdraft is a hazardous area,  and get some out before dark falls.

Shortly after the helicopter is heard in the area, they ping the beacon, and they winched down a doctor and crewman. After treating patient, then us four ‘burly’ males assisted carry stretcher to middle of creek (rocks now wet from downdraft of helicopter), where the winching up to helicopter occurred and helicopter departed.

That left four of us to hike out,  first in semi darkness then darkness, arriving back at dam carpark at 1935. Cuppa tea back at Wilfred and Suzanne’s place, then drive home arriving 2200.

Our patient was treated at the hospital and then assessed fine and released.

Follow on note – next day I was contacted by Townsville Water Police who are the regional rescue coordinators and discussed with them the process. They advised our process was good and they were happy with that. 

KD