It's been quite a while since I did a full pack walk. Quite a while since I dusted off my faithful old 80 litre backpack and my Sierra Designs two person tent with its comfortable sit up inside capability. Or the Trangia stove, on which I cooked three course gourmet meals. These treasured possessions used to accompany me on extended explorations of Tasmania's Central Plateau or south west wilderness.
The other day I headed off for the weekend with two bushwalking companions, to renew my acquaintance with the glorious pastime of full pack, overnight bushwalking and camping. We chose Acacia Flats, alongside the fabled Bluegum Forest in the Grose Valley in the Blue Mountains. We entered via the Mount Hay road and Lockleys Pylon, and then descended, and on Sunday ascended the 700 metres or so with our 17kg packs. As a side trip on Saturday morning we checked out the scary Cliffs of Mordor and the Cave of Doom (actually the Grose Valley gorge and Dr Darke's Cave), and were as ever impressed by the spectacular scenery.
The weather was not too hot, not too cold, with no rain despite the ambivalent forecasts. The campsite was dry, spacious, and beautiful, and the company was excellent. I can't wait to get back to this pursuit on a more regular basis!
Photo credit (first picture): Suseela
