shapeofthings (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shapeofthings) wrote2012-02-04 11:54 am
shapeofthings) wrote2012-02-04 11:54 am
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Bushwalking diary: Collinsvale Peaks Circuit
It's a beautiful day, but I must rest and catch up on paperwork. But two weeks ago I went walking out Collinsvale Peaks way...
I made it up the steep climb of Myrtle Forest trail, rough and over-grown with scratchy mountain heath.
Yes, I did have my map and compass with me, never fear!
A-bouldering we shall go
Looking north-east to Wellington's summit
Looking south to Trestle Mountain and Sleeping Beauty beyond
I made it up the bouldering slope of Collins Bonnet to drink in the fantastic view. Then I slid down the steep rough fire-trail (hyper-extending both hips) and found the sneaky trail up Trestle Mountain
The turn off to Trestle Mountain. Unlike the Bonnet and the Cap there's no warning sign here. Don't be mistaken: this doesn't mean it's less dangerous, just that Parks recognise that if you're crazy enough to come looking for this trail a warning sign isn't going to put you off the climb.
More bouldering? My hips complain.
Then one knee joins the whining chorus
A place to rest, think and admire the view
What lies between me and the summit, so near and yet so far
I clambered up the rough boulder slope to 3/4 of the way up (hyper-rotating a knee on the way up) and stopped to take a reality check:
Sure, I had mobile phone coverage and was in text contact with a good friend, and Housemate had instructions on where I was and what to do if I did not check in by a set time, but with two hips and one knee in strained relations with their respective sockets, pushing on didn't seem the best idea. Time to cut the walk short and head back to base.
View to Collins Bonnet from the base of Trestle Mountain - I made it up that!
Collins Cap waits to be climbed another day
Myrtle Forest Creek: a sight for sore eyes (taken on an earlier trip when there was more water than this time!)
Eventually I made it down, 8 hours worn and limping. The guidebook lies, but I lived to tell the tale. :)
I made it up the steep climb of Myrtle Forest trail, rough and over-grown with scratchy mountain heath.
Yes, I did have my map and compass with me, never fear!
A-bouldering we shall go
Looking north-east to Wellington's summit
Looking south to Trestle Mountain and Sleeping Beauty beyond
I made it up the bouldering slope of Collins Bonnet to drink in the fantastic view. Then I slid down the steep rough fire-trail (hyper-extending both hips) and found the sneaky trail up Trestle Mountain
The turn off to Trestle Mountain. Unlike the Bonnet and the Cap there's no warning sign here. Don't be mistaken: this doesn't mean it's less dangerous, just that Parks recognise that if you're crazy enough to come looking for this trail a warning sign isn't going to put you off the climb.
More bouldering? My hips complain.
Then one knee joins the whining chorus
A place to rest, think and admire the view
What lies between me and the summit, so near and yet so far
I clambered up the rough boulder slope to 3/4 of the way up (hyper-rotating a knee on the way up) and stopped to take a reality check:
- I was 6 hours in to a 6.5 hour walk, and not quite up the second peak
- the day was hot, I was low on water and out of food
- whilst I could push myself to make the summit of Trestle Mountain, I wasn't so sure I could make it back down
- I was on a forgotten back-trail, miles from anywhere, on my own
Sure, I had mobile phone coverage and was in text contact with a good friend, and Housemate had instructions on where I was and what to do if I did not check in by a set time, but with two hips and one knee in strained relations with their respective sockets, pushing on didn't seem the best idea. Time to cut the walk short and head back to base.
View to Collins Bonnet from the base of Trestle Mountain - I made it up that!
Collins Cap waits to be climbed another day
Myrtle Forest Creek: a sight for sore eyes (taken on an earlier trip when there was more water than this time!)
Eventually I made it down, 8 hours worn and limping. The guidebook lies, but I lived to tell the tale. :)