Our day started out with a visit from a friendly wallaby at breakie time. It was very thankful when Jub poured some water into the ground – it lapped it all up!
After a very slow start to the day having solved our GPS tracking issues from the day before, l set off at 9:15. Jubble walked a way with me along a dirt road which soon turned into a steep uphill road – 200m up to the ridge! I had left my trusty snake stick at camp so Jub went and got it and drove it back to me. We met right at the top of the hill at the turn off to Link Track where we said our goodbye for three days! I hope I make it back to him!!
What a difference an extra 8-10kgs makes! About an hour in, my shoulders were sore (this is just sensation l told myself) but it’s funny how when you just keep going and think about other things the sensations change and move on. I had my Anzac bikkie sitting at Orroral River – not what I’d expected but a gorgeous view to look at from a shady spot. And thankfully, no shoes off river crossing! Orroral River was followed by my first large plain. There were mountains on all sides but not too close, maintaining a feeling of open and space. Loads of kangaroos all terrified of me. The first half of the day was all gravel roads which I quite enjoyed at first but by the time they turned to bush track l was pretty happy to see the end of them. There was a massive uphill slog along a gravel road to get from Namadgi National Park to the Bimberi wilderness area. I had been battling uphill for a couple of hours and decided to stop for lunch on the road. There were no particularly lunch worthy places, so I just sat on the road. Of course that’s when a group of teenagers came past after having spent a couple of nights camping at Cotter Flat. They probably thought I’d picked a pretty odd spot for lunch. Same as the firies who drove up and pulled up next to me checking that l was ok. I was pretty happy when one of them remarked how hot the day was for me to be doing this walk – l hadn’t even realised that’s probably why l was feeling stuffed!! I’m also entering the competition for worst looking cup of tea.
Soon after making it to the top of the hill, the trail left the gravel road and headed into Bimberi wilderness area on a bush track. I collected my first water from Sawpit Creek and was pretty chuffed with myself! It was a pretty small bit of water – I imagine there won’t be any left in another month or so. The track up to Cotter Gap was really lovely and super steep. I made it up by counting to 100 with my snake stick in one hand, then changing hands and starting the count again from 0. I understand why someone said the hills are a bit anticlimactic. At Cotter Gap which was the high point on today’s walk at just under 1400m, there was no amazing view and no mark that you were at “the top”. Just wandered along for awhile then proceeded down an equally steep hill on the other side.
I came across a cat sunbaking on the path. It hadn’t seen me so I was able to take a snap before it did see me and hightail it off along the path. It was grey tabby, super fluffy and looked pretty well fed (unfortunately). Having never camped alone before, I was really hoping I’d find a good spot well before dark. I finally came across a great little patch off the track and decided to stop there, pitch my tent, then walk the extra 0.5kms to get water. I set up my tent then went off for water. I climbed a hill and saw laid out before me the amazing flats. I hadn’t known what to expect, so didn’t realise I’d actually pitched my tent about 300m too soon! Chatted to a guy who’s mountain biking up Mt Bimberi then collected water at Cotter River. How fantastic. Clean, fast flowing although not too deep with stones to stand on. For dinner l ate two sachets of Indian food – chana marsala and veggie biryani. Turns out, that’s way too much food for one person, even if she is hungry. I did some bush yoga before tucking myself into my tent nest. Lucky we got a two person tent bc the whole other side has the complete insides of my pack sprawled across it! The night was so quiet. The only thing l heard were a few kangaroos hopping nearby and the occasional insect. No wind, no people, no water.
Kerry's Hikes 
That is a very cute wallaby
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