Ben's Bushwhack

Friday 24th May

We commenced our journey South to Kangaroo Valley early. The drive down was pictaresque as we drove through Berry Mountain Pass.

     

It had rained the previous night and was quite overcast, however we were greeted with a good sign on arrival at our designated meeting spot (Kangaroo Valley Ambulance Station) for what was to prove an epic adventure.

Proceeding to Kangaroo Valley Canoe Hire, I tried a number of different attire combinations to test which would prove most comfortable for the ensuing hike. I settled on 3 layers.. a rash vest, army shirt and my ski jacket with my skins, ski pants and footy socks. To prevent trench-foot I placed plastic bags over my socks within my shoes.

      

Once we were packed and ready we boarded the bus that would drop us at the foot of Mt. Carrialoo. On the way we harmonised the song "Tribute" by the acclaimed music group "Tenacious D.". 

Setting off presented our first challenge of a rather steep incline walking track. Quickly realising how well Snow clothes and skins can work to insulate the body, many of us decided to shed some layers as it proved to hot to walk in. 

Having a keen interest in flora and vegetation, I recalled my senior Geography class trips and recognised that we were indeed surrounded by fairly wet schlerophyll vegetation. 

Sharing knowledge is a crucial component in Outdoor Education

Very Damp

Traversing our first gully proved very damp and so extra vigilance was paid to our footing and placement as we climbed this near vertical incline.

The "wet" prefix comes from the converse relationship that water shares with altitude. As water is generally stored in the "Valley' or "Gullies", it supplies the surrounding vegetation with ample water. As we climbed closer to the summit, the vegetation transitioned into Dry Schlerophyll (although wet from the recent precipitation) as trees grew sparser as the abundance of boulders grew.

Nearing the summit, I required further assistance in correct compass and map technique. Group meetings for clarification greatly helped with our learning objectives.

Once I understood, I found the best way to revise and improve my technique was to practice and teach/review with others.

The steps involved include the following:

1.Line up the two points on the map with the compass edge.

2.Rotating the compass so it aligns with the North on the map

3.Taking the bearing and subtracting the difference for magnetic and map north (in this case it was 12 degrees)

4. Directing the compass North and following the direction the bearing indicates.

The next vital component of micro-navigation concerns the identification of "handrails". These consist of identifiable geological features that one can see to ensure one stays on the correct path. These features can include but are not limited to:

Cliff edges, Gullies, Boulders, Vegetation changes, Spurs and Ridges.

I found when equipped with a map, compass and identifiable hand rails, micro-navigation can become very similar mentally to navigating in a car.

Reaching the summit we allowed time to reflect on pour efforts so far, which is a positive way to check in with each other how we are coping physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and for some people, spiritually. Here the summit is marked by this man-made construction:

Before the beginning of our decent across the saddle to Mt. Maruloo, we stopped to have a small meal on a rather impressive cliff edge. Due to fog visibility was effectively limited to approximately 5 down into the valley, nevertheless proved an inspiring locale.

 

Immediately descending from the cliff's edge and plateau, we were faced with a challenging section which required the use of ropes to safely traverse. It also required great teamwork and communication to pass our packs along, as it was too steep to climb with them on our backs.

Stretching is very important to reduce cramping and one can make full use of geological features for assistance.

 Following the foot of the cliff escarpment

we descended once more into wet sclerophyll whereby we were faced with one section, which i aptly named "The Bush Barrell". Located on a Gully, native ferns provided a tunnel like affect which made the experience akin to that of a barrell when surfing.

3 second Barrell!

Arriving at the ridge of the saddle (identifiable by the land falling away either side of you, we began the traversing of the saddle (a spine of land between two peaks). Here we encountered our first instance of bushwhacking through 6ft scrub.

Mt Maruloo visible in the distance

 Persisting along cutting our way through stinging needle and slippery forest floor, we eventually landed at the bottom of the saddle. By this time it was nearing 530 pm as daylight started to fade. Before we knew it, darkness had set in and we were required to don our headlights as we continued to push through dense scrub. Eventually we arrived at the summit as we all took a sigh of relief. However this was short lived as we now had the task of attempting to follow the ridge down to our path destination without much of the aid of our visual perspective. This culminated in the declaration of being lost as we found ourselves perched on  cliffs edge with no sign of the fire trail we were meant to arrive at.

Nearer the end of the pack, I neglected to use my compass to maintain if we were staying true to our course, as I was presented with the task of having to motivate and reassure others we would be okay. As an eternal optimist, friends made the comment my use of humour to reassure them we would be okay as some others found the situation quite unnerving. Panic started to set in, and thankfully other members of the group and in particular Trev, were able to pin-point logically where we must be positioned and set us on course to find the path. Funnily enough we were stationed less then 100m from the track and were all ecstatic to find it.

>>>>>>Unable to transfer video, see Luke Field's Blog<<<<<<

From here we rapidly descended from the cold, windy and rainy plateau as the full moon started to peak through the clouds. Once at the bottom we made a quick stop to gather our thought and have a bite to eat before another 3-4km to our campsite. By the time we made camp we had been trecking for approximately 13 hours. We quickly assembled our tents before finding woodscrap and kindling for the fire. As it was fairly moist, we required the assistance of methylated spirits to fuel the fire and dry the kindling. 

Here I am using a map to fan oxygen to help furl the fire

Once the fire was burning, we all took the opportunity to thaw out, dry and have our dinner meal.

My evening meals consisted of Wurst, Saurkraut, Zimtzuckerapfel und Leberkäse

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Makeshift Clothesline

 Day 2
We rose to find ourselves surrounded by damp fog as we ate breakfast, packed our bags and set off with canoes to paddle from Beehive Point to Tallowa Dam. Not long into our paddle, the fog lifted and glorius sunshine beamed into the valley warming us all and lifting our spirits.

Glorious sunshine!

Arriving at the dam we found ourselves exhausted on the beach and took several moments to relax before making the short walk to the dam. A very interesting component of the dam is the 'fish lift", erected so fish could make the crossing back up stream to their breeding grounds.

Here we also took another opportunity to take some photography shots in a serene environment with 180degree views  

After a group reflection on the shores of the Lake, we were soon collected and transported back to our cars before a quick stopover at "The World's Greatest Pie Shop Kangaroo Valley". As a group we made plenty of purchases as it was discovered a group member had locked his keys in his car with the ignition switched on.

Enjoying lunch and a lie down in the sun

The accused 

Before long we set off to Belanglo, where we were to make camp at the NSW Orienteering Hut. First on our to do list was to dry our packs and set up camp for the night.

Clothesline

Once ready, our evening activity and arguably my personal favourite of the components, was Orienteering. It put my newly learned comppass and map reading skills to the test as I thoroughly enjoyed finding the markers in some of the most remarkable forest I have encountered. Overhead a flock of Black Cockatoos entertained us with their majestic soaring and vocals. Once completed the orienteering, we arrived back at camp just on moonrise.

Now it was time to start another fire, this time using burnt cotton, a knife and some quartz. 

The fireplace proved a great focal point to share a meal and play several inititative games including, "Two truths and a lie", 'The man in the moon" and several others.

Day 3

We awoke before completing a "leapfrog" initiative game, in which I proved a distraction as my concentration faltered. Following its successful completion we packed and set off for Bungonia to complete some Spelunking. Here we entered a couple of cave systems with varying challenges in each. Mental strength is greatly required as some sections proved quite tight to fit through. I found humour my best tool to cope with the stress which allowed me to expel all the air from my lungs in order to squeeze through.

Cave Interview With Digger Boyle:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152189820127788&set=vb.520182787&type=2&theater

Daylight!

Spelunking required tremendous teamwork for motivation, direction and support through several challenging sections of the caves. To complete the Spelunk, Digger set us the challenge of exiting the last section out in complete darkness, which was intensified by the tightest squeeze thoroughfare. Here we were required to feel our surroundings and hold onto the person in front, forming a chain-link.

As I am not a fan of endings, I choose not to write a conclusion as the friendships made and the knowledge acquired are only at their formative stages for what I envisage will be a lifelong pursuit.