Page 24 - 80 Walks by 80 Leaders 2

Date: 1st March 2019
Par�cipants: Robyn Chris�e, Jill Paillas, Katherine Gloor, Warwick Blake, Carolyn Blake, Jim Romanowski, Carol
Thompson, Soo Lee Chen, Stacey Bryce, Mike Ward

Rock forma�ons brought out the movie buffs (see photo It was a long walk with lots of varia�ons from heathy
gallery for ET) and after a final hill climb we reached the surrounds along the Big River Fire Trail, to the open high
top of the ‘terrible descent’. Initially the group were plains, rolling hills in the distance, snow gum forest down
mu�ering “oh,this isnot sobad” untilI advisedwe weren’t to and around the hut, wet and dry aqueducts, magnificent
at the bad bit yet! views along the Spion Ridge, finishing with rainforest
vegetation down the descent to the river crossing.
The leaf li�er made the steep track par�cularly slippery.
Some effort had been made to cut fallen timber and make Showers, food and happy hour were well deserved that
- not steps, but rather stoppers - so one wouldn’t slide so night and a great sense of achievement for the day.
far. It was too difficult to take photos and all were relieved
to get to the river - until Robyn advised that the large tree
that used to make a bridge for the crossing was now gone.
The safest place to cross entailed taking shoes and socks
off and wading through to some rocks on the other side to
clamber up on.
Relief was short lived, the leader had conveniently
forgo�en to tell them about the steep climb out on the
The views on all sides from the ridge were spectacular - with other side to the wai�ng cars....haha - have to keep
the rolling mountains visible in all directions, the sun something up your sleeve.
shining, blue skies and not another person or sound to be
seen or heard it was serene and magical.

Report by: Robyn Chris�e 14 Photos: Robyn Chris�e and others