Challenging Blue Mountains / Sydney Walks

[Allchin09]

Hey,

I've just finished uni for the year, so I've got a bit of time on my hands now and I'm looking at getting out into the bush as much as I can.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend some challenging walks (day, overnight or multiple days) to have a go at between now and March. The Blue Mountains is my usual area of choice as I live in Sydney, but I'd consider going to other areas depending on the walk.

[Grabeach]

Need to narrow it down a bit Alex. Virtually any walk can be a challenge if you limit the time you have to do it.

What to you want to be challenged by - distance, navigation, technical (scrambling), scrub?

How affected by heat and humidity are you? Doing anything not involving water can be difficult if it's 40C.

[juxtaposer]

Good time to be near the coast such as Nadgee - Croagingalong, or a river trip somewhere like Ettrema. Not to mention it's wildflower season in the high country.

[Allchin09]

Grabeach - How about a search for something, or climbing hills, or multiple passes, or a long continuous walk from one end of a park to another, or something that's tricky navigation wise.

Temperature doesn't seem to cause too many issues as long as I can keep my water bottles topped up as necessary.

Juxtaposer - I've never heard of Nadgee or Croagingalong, I'll have to look into it. As for Ettrema, I've never been there so I think a trip is in order. A nice creek walk may work well in January. Any recommendations?

[DaveNoble]

Too hot now in Sydney for bushwalking (unless you want to suffer). Better to go canyoning - lots of challenges there, or get on a plane and head to Tassie.

Dave

[juxtaposer]

Spent four days walking down the Ettrema from the Queira Road, finishing at Queira Clearing by way of Transportation Spur. This trip needed cars at the start and finish, to avoid a long road bash at the end. Summer can be tough walking, you can't push the days so hard; early starts are a good idea, to get some distance done before the heat slows you down. You might know that Myles Dunphy did most of his longer walks in late spring/summer, when he could get away with a single blanket (not liking sleeping bags, which were heavier in those days than now). You see lots of wildlife along rivers in summer, particularly late in the day when the shadows lengthen and kangaroos and wallaroos come down the slopes to drink. I spent several mid summer days walking the Cox between Black Jerrys and Black Dog. A good trip for pack rafting, I think.

[tom_brennan]

As Dave says, you should go canyoning!

If you want a particular challenge that's not technical canyoning, doing the Wollangambe from source (well, from just below the colliery) to Colo junction would be worthwhile. The upper sections can all be done as day trips, though it's probably nicer to string together sections. Once you get below Mt Irvine, you're probably looking at 4+ days... Lilo and/or wetsuit in places.

Otherwise, look at the Colo and the various Colo passes (Bob Buck/Brian Corlis). Longer sections of the Colo are more enjoyable by lilo as the banks are often scrubby.

[Allchin09]

Dave - Yes, I know Summer is canyoning season, but I still reckon there is plenty of room for bushwalking as well!

Juxtaposer - Will look at that walk, sounds interesting. Although you do get the heat in summer, I think the long daylight hours helps to make up for it.

Tom - Wollangambe down would be good to do, haven't touched that yet. I guess the length of the Grose could be another option. I've got my hands on Bucks sketch map now so I'll have to go check out some of those passes.

[DaveNoble]

I've got my hands on Bucks sketch map now so I'll have to go check out some of those passes.

But not in summer........ Far too hot in the scrub.

Better in the "shoulder season"

Also - the sketch map should be referred to as the "Buck/Daley Colo Sketch Map" The map was the work of two people - Bob Buck and Geoff Daley - both in the NPA.

Dave

[DarrenM]

Is it difficult to get hold of the Buck/Daley sketch map Dave? I'm guessing it's out of print.

[DaveNoble]

Is it difficult to get hold of the Buck/Daley sketch map Dave? I'm guessing it's out of print.

Yes - no longer available.

[tom_brennan]

Brian Corlis published a follow up to the Buck/Daley map. He may still be selling copies. You could try contacting Brian directly. You can find him in the White Pages (Glenmore Park). Otherwise, there's a copy at the State Library - http://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/record=b2272295~S2

If you're a member of a bushwalking club, I'm sure there would be a bunch of older members who would have copies of the map that you'd be able to borrow.

[DarrenM]

Thanks Dave and Tom, cheers.

It's a fair drive Alex but have considered Kosciuszko? Like most areas it can get pretty hot and flies can be mental but if you get a few days of cooler weather there are plenty of awesome challenging walks to do in the area. Drop off the Western Faces around the Sentinel for good times.

[clarence]

Bell to Newnes is a ripper, lots of passes, canyons, and no tracks. Take a rope. About 5 days.

Claustral area (if you can still find a way in) down the Grose and in to the Nepean. Incredible wilderness and old "Engineers Track" in parts. No ropes required downstream of Rainbow Ravine. Next to creeks (or in them) all the way. Camping overhangs with glow worms in the upper reaches. Lots of swimming. 4 days.

I did a bit of a trip report on a lilo trip on the Wollangambe down to Bob Turners Track somewhere else on this board. Great summer trip but very remote and demanding. Depending on where you start, 9 or more days.

Morong Deep in the upper Kowmung is another excellent creek/canyon trip which is perfect for summer. In via Morong Falls out via Uni Rover Trail. About 3-4 days.

There are another few excellent creek/canyon based walks of 3 to 5 days in the Budawangs, Ettrema and Gouougang areas which I can PM you if interested.

An extended lilo trip on the upper Shoalhaven is another "must do" summer trip- Oallen to Sewells (4-5 days) (only attempt in LOW water) is a stand out trip- ideal for even the hottest summer weather. Even though it is not within a national park for 3/4 of the distance, the scenery and remote feel of this trip are up there with the best. The middle Shoalhaven Gorge (Greater Horseshoe to Badgerys or Fossickers Flat) (3-4 days) is another great summer lilo trip. I recall one summer evening we camped on the banks of the Shoalhaven on a sandy beach wearing nothing more than what we'd been swimming in- without sleeping bags, mats or tent. Pure bliss.

Just pick your spot and it shouldn't be a problem walking/liloing in summer. I have done all of the above trips in summer (several during extended very hot weather), apart from Bell- Newnes. We didn't suffer much, and actually enjoyed these summer trips a great deal. Makes me smile just thinking about them.

Having seen some of your other trip reports Alex, I think you'd really enjoy many of these trips in summer.

PM me if you want more specific info.

Clarence