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Easter
Bunny walk
1999
Steve, Christina, Marit, Jens, Allen, Mark, David, and Mike joined
me on the umpteenth attempt of this trip. Our mission was to follow
the Wolgan River into the Colo River and then into the Capertee
River and back to the cars at Newnes via the Pipeline Track. First
attempt we went the wrong direction and ended up in Werrikimbe National
Park. Second attempt had no keen participants. Third attempt the
leader got sick and the rest of the group had a relaxing few days
down the Wolgan River. Would we finally complete this walk? Mike
had total faith in our ability to complete the walk and took an
extra day of work to allow for celebrations (or recovery of wounds).
Day 1. We were blessed with rain on Friday morning, this blessing
continued for the rest of the trip. After waiting a few hours for
Glen to get ready we all charged of eager to knock over as many
k’s as possible. Our goal for the first day was to reach last
years furthest point. At long last we made the first river crossing.
Some attempted to keep their feet dry, Mike attempted rock hoping
on his head, some charged across, others took their boots off. How
things would change… After a few patches of rain during the
day, things were looking good, that was until we set up camp and
gave the heavens the perfect opportunity to open. Steve and Chris
played us some tunes on the recorder, this combined with the pitter-patter
on the tent put us all of to sleep…
Day 2. Only about ten kilometres to the Colo River, should be there
just after lunch… After passing a pretty nifty pinnacle on
the side of the Wolgan River (were we meant to worship this thing)
the day’s adventures started to begin. After the initial attempts
of bush bashing along the sides of the river and staying dry we
decided to charge on into the river. Miraculously every ones gear
stayed relatively dry. By the end of the day we were charging through
the river, and charging, and charging, (its just around the next
bend), and charging, and there it was, The Colo. After many sighs
of relief the tents were up. Glen and Steve set up camp at Colo
Heights (a sand escarpment on the waters edge). Steve was fully
prepared for the rising water levels and slept on his lilo. Jens
and Marit marked off a small segment and labeled it Little Norway.
Mike searched for a couple of trees to set up camp, Allen headed
a couple of k’s further down stream to get a peaceful nights
sleep.
Day 3. After reaching the Colo we now began the journey back home.
It took longer than we thought to get into the Colo so we bypassed
an exploration of the surrounding area and headed for home. Taking
the rain with us. The Capertee River was a lot warmer and had significantly
less water than the Wolgan and so progress was relatively quick.
A foot track (or was it those wombats) led us most of the way. This
day was quite uneventful, apart from a couple of games of hacky
and some missing people (or were we too busy playing hacky).
Another night with rain and peaceful sounds of the recorder.
Day 4. There was conflict growing in the camp. Can we get back to
the cars and go home, or will we laze around in the rain a little
longer. Since it was pissing down we decided on the walk to keep
warm philosophy and found ourselves in Glen Davis for a late lunch.
The rain had stopped and the Sun’s rays were starting to piece
through the clouds. Could this mean a day of exploring on the way
back to Newnes??? After a quick vote the decision was made to head
back home for a hot shower. Some were jumping at the joy of having
a shower in another 12 hours time, others were keen to head back
to the tents, sleeping bags, and packet pasta. Nevertheless we trudged
over the Pipeline Track back to Newnes, got lost in the dark, and
headed back home that night, … Now did every one have a hot
shower when they arrived home?
Despite the rain everyone had a good time. The usual cuts and bruises.
Maybe next time we will invite the Sun along. There are many possibilities
for walks in the area, so maybe we will be back there one day? |
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