Mt Walsh National Park

[ULWalkingPhil]

Mt Walsh National Park, located west of Maryborough near Bigenden in QLD.

Overnight hike to the top of Mt Walsh, hammock camping near the top overlooking the surrounding country side. My first video during a hike, unfortunately I ran out of memory space on my digital camera. I got to just below a rocky outcrop, was to dangerous to continue to the top on my own. Took my time.

Here's a sneak preview of video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OiAthHgZ8w

Full video report

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE70f0H88gE

[ULWalkingPhil]

Full video report is currently being uploaded to Youtube. It was going to be a review on my Hammock gear, but I couldn't get to far into the review as my digital camera quickly ran out of storage. It's the first time I've attempted to film a hike, didn't realise how much space these videos take on your camera. Will be better prepared next time.

[Major Icehole]

Great work for your first video mate. You're well on your way to being the next Shug Emery!

I've been coveting a WBB for quite a while. The ability to hang on the side of a hill like that looks pretty great. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Decided to take my new Camera with me to Mt Walsh over the last few days, 3 days of mountain climbing.
Had a great time, bodies a bit battered and sore now. Ouch. But it was worth it. The challenge climbing up the rocks was a lot of fun and very fulfilling when I reached the top.

Climbed two of the highest peaks in Mt Walsh.

[ofuros]

Awesome views, philipsart.
I'm thinking that shady cave/overhang came in handy,
giving you well earned a cool break from the heat of the day.
Looks like you some great weather too....clear blue skies as far as the eye can see.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Awesome views, philipsart.
I'm thinking that shady cave/overhang came in handy,
giving you well earned a cool break from the heat of the day.
Looks like you some great weather too....clear blue skies as far as the eye can see.

thanks ofuros, Yes it was a very clear day, could not have asked for better weather, the day before I was camping at the base of the mountain and there was lightning on the top of the mountain, day temp was 26, night got down to 3 degrees celcius.

[shardie]

good shots & dramatic video
What sort of climbing/scrambling skills was required to get to the peaks?

[ULWalkingPhil]

good shots & dramatic video
What sort of climbing/scrambling skills was required to get to the peaks?

I've been told for experienced hikers only, and only attempt in dry weather as the rocks can be very slippery when wet. The climb in places is a bit tricky, we used a rope in one section as the rocks are worn away. Can be done without a rope, just a bit more difficult, that section is apx 10 metres long. I think if you've climbed Mt Barney or any climbs similar you should not have any problems. I've never climbed Mt Barney so I can't compare, but from what i've heard it's a tough climb up Mt Barney.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Two days climbing Mt Walsh last weekend, helping to lead a group of hikers.

A short video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAQH3109ork

[mylesau]

Great video Phillip. I'm hoping to spend 4 days in the park over the Bundy show weekend.

I'll be heading up the creek behind Mt Walsh and then walking up the back side to the top and then down the main track. Do you know if there are any issues with this at the moment. I walked up the creek (I think it's Stony creek, but seems to be unmarked on the latest Topo25) many (20+) years ago.

Any tips that might be useful would be appreciated. No doubt it will be getting a bit cold by then

Thanks,
Myles.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Great video Phillip. I'm hoping to spend 4 days in the park over the Bundy show weekend.

I'll be heading up the creek behind Mt Walsh and then walking up the back side to the top and then down the main track. Do you know if there are any issues with this at the moment. I walked up the creek (I think it's Stony creek, but seems to be unmarked on the latest Topo25) many (20+) years ago.

Any tips that might be useful would be appreciated. No doubt it will be getting a bit cold by then

Thanks,
Myles.

Hi Myles, Day time temps should be very pleasant, but certainly at night and early morning will be cold.

I've never hiked Stony Creek thus far, Had it planned about a month ago, but it started raining, had to turn back. Rocks are very slippery when wet. Best to avoid the area if there's rain about. Standing on top of Mt Walsh last Monday, myself and a couple other hikers where eyeing of that creek for a future trip.
Not sure where you would climb up the mountain on the backside, Keep an eye on the weather. You don't want to climb that mountain if it's wet. PM me if you need a guide. I'm not referring to myself, I know a very good guide that knows that area better than anyone I know. She's explored the mountain her whole life.

[mylesau]

Thanks for the info Phillip.

I'm guessing that guide would be Harry Frauca's daughter?

Last time I was there, about 2 years ago, I didn't get to the top due to it being to wet - sure is 'slippery when wet'. Some details and photo's of that trip might be useful for others who seek out this thread - Mount Walsh National Park - Feb 2010 - also includes some pics of the rock pools.

I received approval from the substitute ranger today - pretty short distances and a day to just look around, but then, when there's no tracks, it can be a hard slog:

Proposed route - Mount Walsh National Park - May/June 2012

MW2012.jpg (193.26 KiB) Viewed 24374 times

If it rains I'll likely just back out the way I came in or up and over the shoulder.

I'll attempt to put together a trip report with plenty of pics.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thanks for the info Phillip.

I'm guessing that guide would be Harry Frauca's daughter?

Last time I was there, about 2 years ago, I didn't get to the top due to it being to wet - sure is 'slippery when wet'. Some details and photo's of that trip might be useful for others who seek out this thread - Mount Walsh National Park - Feb 2010 - also includes some pics of the rock pools.

I received approval from the substitute ranger today - pretty short distances and a day to just look around, but then, when there's no tracks, it can be a hard slog:

MW2012.jpg

If it rains I'll likely just back out the way I came in or up and over the shoulder.

I'll attempt to put together a trip report with plenty of pics.

Yes the guide is Harry's daughter.

Looks like a great circuit. I see you use a Hammock. Same here, I also use a Warbonnet Hammock.

[mylesau]

Stony Creek, Mount Walsh National Park: 31-06-2012 - 01-07-2012

The weather didn't play nice so I was only able to walk in, camp overnight and then walk out the next day. I'm glad I made this choice as there were some flash floods on Saturday night and you would not want to be caught in Stony creek when the water came up.

This is a tough area to walk in as the grades are very steep and there are no tracks. The picture below gives a bit of an idea of the grade. My GPS was happy to record 150 - 200% grades in places! I have two black toenails to prove it!

Steep Grades

I managed to skirt some contours that ventured just outside of the National Park on the way in, but felt guilty with the number of 'Keep Out' signs that on the return trip I took the high road, which saw much higher grades on the way down.

I lucked in when I got to stony creek as I found a relatively easy path down - you need to be careful here as quite a bit of the creek has cliffs with 6-10 meter drops. If you follow the actual National Park boundary you should be okay - I cut the corner a bit. The spot I came out onto the creek was the place I ended up camping. A beautiful creek setting with that magic 'trickling' sound of water.

Stony Creek Camp Area

I took a short walk back down the creek and did find one flat spot that a tent would have been okay on, but as can be seen below, the advantages offered by a hammock are put to good use here. Actually from this point on I didn't see any place that I would be happy to put a tent.

Rockin' Hammock

No Room For A Tent

Before I camped for the night I managed to get about half way up Stony creek to where I had hoped to get before turning back - I just wasn't confident enough to continue on with a bit of rain around, which makes the rocks super slick, and the weather looking like much more rain to come on the following days.

Came across a 'forest' of butterflies - as I walked through this area I disturbed them and they swarmed around, it was a very unique experience. Very hard to capture them in flight so I settled on showing them once they had settled. There were hundreds of them.

Butterfly Forest

[mylesau]

Continued:

One advantage of there being a little bit of rain around - a waterfall, only small, but I suspect with good rain this 'little' creek would not be a place you would want to be caught out.

Waterfall

A little bit further up from the 'waterfall' is a 'swimming pool' - in summer this would be a great spot for a dip.

Swimming Pool

From this point on, the way forward was a mix of climbing out of the creek due to huge rocks blocking the path and fighting through thick scrub and then descending back to the creek for the easier path for a bit and then back up and out - repeat.

The view up the creek and towards the back of Mount Walsh below, highlights the nature of the terrain.

Back Of Mount Walsh and the view up Stony Creek

This was a tough walk for me. I'm pretty fit from cycling, but I haven't been bush walking for a while. The grades knocked me about a bit but I hope to spend some more time in the park in future because it is a beautifully unspoilt area - the ruggedness ensures it will stay that way.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hi mylesau.

Thanks for the report. Loved the photos. Looks like a big bath tub with the tap running in the video. it certainly sound like it

You didn't make it to the really steep parts?, just as well, with all the rain it would have gotten very dangerous. Even in the dry it's a dangerous place, You really have to know what your doing. Bush bashing through that terrain is certainly fun. I love the fact there's no hardly any tracks there.

You lucked out with the weather, It's beautiful weather up here at the moment. I would not like to take a tent with me in that area. I think you will really struggle to find a place to setup camp in the tent. You could camp on top of Mt Walsh, It's probably the flattest area in the park. I wish you luck getting a tent up there. Sorry ground dwellers, but this area is made for Hammocks.

The last time I climbed Mt Walsh, a few weeks back, We had to use ropes to get up that section mentioned earlier in one of the posts. It was well worn and very slippery.

You should post this trip report on hammockforums.com

[ofuros]

Another hammocker pops out of the woodwork !
And by the looks of that terrain it came in real handy.
Love the swarming butterflies you stumbled upon, those little gifts from nature
make our adventures a bit more special.
I'd have taken a dip in those crystal clear pools if we weren't in the grips of winter....

Look after those little blackened pinkies....mylesau