gabemma

13 walks ticked

This Year

0
Number of Walks Ticked
0.0m
Total Distance Ticked

All Time

13
Number of Walks Ticked
122.1km
Total Distance Ticked
Name Date Difficulty Distance/Duration
Mount Bartle Frere - Eastern Approach (Wooroonooran National Park)
11 Sep, 2020
Very Hard
15km return
12 hrs

Did this hike today. I’m not sure how “average” people managed to get up and down the east trail in 5 / 7 hours as some have commented. I would consider us fit and experienced hikers and it took us 11 hours including a total of about 1hr in breaks. It is so steep in sections that I don’t know how you could possibly go faster (literally hands and feet climbing up root ladders). Regardless - we were lucky to have a view and yes it was spectacular. But what others have said is true - it’s long, steep, tiring, the boulder field is tricky with lots of big deep holes, there is a false summit of sorts too (when starting the boulder field, it looks like the summit but once you get to the top you see there is in fact another saddle and small rise to the true summit where the Bartle Frere sign is), lots of leeches on the way up but none on the way back down, practically bathed in bushmans 80% deet before leaving and seemed to do the trick as plenty were on our boots but none latched on to skin. Wear full covered clothing if you can, I spent a lot of time sliding on my bum down rocks etc and there is a fair bit of bushes etc on the track, plus plenty of stinging nettle at the beginning on the track. It was wet in the forest to begin with, cool wind on the summit but quite warm on the descent as the sun had come out. As for distance - I recorded the trail on Wikiloc and it was more like 20km to the top, not 7.5km, it is possible the recording was slightly off but I doubt by over double, and unlikely on two different devices (my battery died so I continued with another phone, and both combined were 35km). The distance markers on the trail seem significantly more than 1km between them. We passed a ranger on the way out and asked about it.. he assured us it was accurate but also mentioned it was measured 20 years ago using a cotton string.. which to me seems VERY inaccurate and would take the most direct route rather than how a person would ascent, so perhaps it’s more like 15km “as the crow flies”?? Anyway, I don’t say any of this to deter people, just to inform them of what to expect before setting out on what was one of the most challenging hikes we’ve done, but enjoyable and worth it if you’re willing to put in the effort :)
Lower Portals (Mt Barney National Park)
1 Nov, 2015
Medium
7.4km return
3 hrs
Very beautiful waterhole. Nice walk and not too difficult but enough to get the heart pumping. Took 4 hrs return - 1.5hrs in including lots of photos, 1.5 hr swimming and enjoying the view, and 1 hr return walk with no stops.
Minyon Falls Loop (Nightcap National Park)
18 Oct, 2015
Hard
6.8km return
3 hrs
Waterfall was non-existent this time but still a very nice short walk.
Mt Warning Summit Trail (Wollumbin National Park)
13 Sep, 2015
Hard
8.3km return
5 hrs
Daves Creek Circuit (Lamington National Park)
16 Aug, 2015
Medium
12km return
4 hrs
great walk with very different vegetation types, quite easy, beautiful views into the valley. took 3 hrs return.
Mt Warning Summit Trail (Wollumbin National Park)
15 Jun, 2014
Hard
8.3km return
5 hrs
Fanthams Peak (North Island NZ)
Dec, 2013
Hard
7km return
6 hrs
Beautiful walk with spectacular views. The first part is through bush and the remainder is climbing up through slippery rocks. Well worth the scramble.
Rob Roy Glacier (South Island NZ)
Dec, 2013
Medium
10km return
5 hrs
Great walk, reasonably easy but steep in some areas. Track follows nice alpine blue streams. Beautiful views of the glacier at the end. Crosses over a few bridges.
Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb (North Island NZ)
Dec, 2013
Medium
10km return
6 hrs
Quite a steep scramble through loose rocks, about half covered in snow. Got to a top ridge but didn't go up the higher peaks. Nice views, weather changes quickly.
Mt Barney - East Peak - South Ridge (Mt Barney National Park)
11 Jun, 2013
Very Hard
17km return
10 hrs
walked up in the afternoon, camped the night in the rum jungle, did the east peak the next morning and descended the mountain. quite a challenging walk, mostly well marked but were some confusing areas, probably not necessary to camp overnight - would prefer to do it again with a lighter pack and in 1 day. took about 6 hrs up and 7 hrs up to the summit and back down to the car park. descent was wet and slippery on some of the rock faces (we used ropes). difficult but amazing walk, well worth the effort.
Minyon Falls Loop (Nightcap National Park)
13 May, 2013
Hard
6.8km return
3 hrs
Beautiful walk through different vegetation types. The waterfall was a misty spray at the bottom, might be more after a lot of rain.
Mt Warning Summit Trail (Wollumbin National Park)
Feb, 2013
Hard
8.3km return
5 hrs
Caves Track (Lamington National Park)
12 Jan, 2013
Medium
5.2km return
90 mins
Nice short walk, very hot in the afternoon summer sun.