[SUBW-A] Walks Report - Splendour Rock 29 - 30 June 02
David Noble
dnoble at ozemail.com.au
Mon Jul 1 18:48:04 AEST 2002
Walks Report - Splendour Rock 29 - 30 June 02
Party - Dave Noble, Justin and Stephanie Blows, Alex Debono (and for a
while Richard Wood)
Some photos of this walk are on-line at:
http://homepage.mac.com/davenoble/PhotoAlbum6.html
On the way to Megalong Valley we called into a new bakery at
Blackheath - The "Bakehouse" - which is in Wentworth St (go towards
Govetts leap - and turn right at the Commonwealth Bank - it is in a
cottage next to the bank). This wa a good choice and some excellent pies
were to be had.
Then it was a drive down to Carlons Farm and the new NPWS parking area.
From there we set off for Breakfast Creek via Carlons Creek. Then it was
a short but steep climb up to Blackhorse Range for lunch on the top. The
weather was fine but very cold - and we were glad to sit close to the
fire while our gourmet jaffles cooked. We then followed tracks to Mobbs
Soak. Whilst filling our water containers we noticed a new logbook in
the big campcave - we were amused by some of the entries, clearly the
writers were under the influence of drugs.....
We then climbed up onto the tops and walker over the Playground of the
Dingos on Mt Merrimerrigal, crossed Mt Dingo and found ourselves at
Splendour Rock just before dusk. The view was magnificent as always. The
wind was cold and strong and we had to be careful not be blown off the
rock (there was already a plaque there commemorating some fallen
bushwalkers!)
The sun set about 5pm and by 6pm we were settled close to the fire,
cooking our dinners and drinking our wine when a strange figure
staggered into the camp. Was it the ghost of one of the fallen
bushwalkers? No - it was Richard Wood - who had mountain biked in from
Katoomba to meet us. He had no torch and no shoes - but he was carrying
a large cask of 1970 vintage wine - so soon was in a merry condition.
Later in the evening, whilst discussing the 7th Law of Thermodynamics
and its relationship to whether the powder or the hot water should go in
the pot first when making custard - Richard discovered a small bottle of
Tequila in his pack. The effects of this on top of the wine can be seen
in his page of incoherent ravings recorded in the log book.
Next morning we woke at dawn and got up to watch the sunrise (except for
Richard - who said he would rather watch it on the trip video). After a
long breakfast - we set off for Mobbs Soak once more while Richard set
off barefoot for his bike. Richard will have to post a separate report
on his final adventures. The trip for the main party to Blue Dog and
Knights Deck went quickly. the weather and views were fine. Then it was
a steep descent down Blue Dog to the Coxs/Breakfast Creek junction for
lunch. After our break we climbed a track up to Mt Ironpot - where some
of the party overtook a large group of "panhandlers" from SBW. We
detoured to look at some interesting aboriginal sharpening grooves and
later stopped to look at some circular holes - also of likely aboriginal
origin. Alex speculated that they were used to grind up ochre from the
red rock outcrops nearby.
It wasn't far to the car - and a drive back to Blackheath (Stephanie
suffered from the "bends" on the drive back up - but I won't bring up
all the details....). At the Gardeners Inn Pub at Blackheath we were
able to take the table next to the fire and enjoyed beers and a meal
before heading back to the city to watch the World Cup Final.
An excellent walk with many fine wines, jaffles and good company.
Dave
--------------------------------------------------------
David Noble
dnoble at ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dnoble
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