Sometimes a camping trip goes exactly as planned.
Sometimes it rains.
This trip managed both.
Gibraltar Range National Park is only about three hours from home, making it an easy getaway for a few days in the camper.
Saturday: Arrival
We left home under clear skies and stopped for coffee in Grafton before making the climb up into the ranges.
The campsite was excellent.
After lunch we took a short walk to get our bearings and scope out the nearby tracks. By about 3 pm the temperature had already dropped noticeably and it was obvious this was going to be a proper winter camping trip.
Before settling in for the evening, I collected a supply of firewood while it was readily available. Experience has taught me that collecting wood is much easier in daylight than when you're searching around with a torch after dark.
The evening was cold, clear and exactly what winter camping should be.
Sunday: Waterfalls and Steep Climbs
The temperature hovered just above zero overnight.
By morning my hands were numb. That's one lesson for future trips: I need to look seriously at merino gloves with a waterproof and windproof over-mitt. Cold fingers are annoying. Numb fingers are not much fun at all.
Starting the walk required plenty of layers, but they didn't stay on for long.
Our first walk followed the creek through beautiful rainforest to the cascades before returning and heading out towards Lyrebird Rock.
The main challenge came later.
A side track drops around 200 metres down to the waterfall. The descent is steep. The climb back up is harder.
Much harder.
Layers came off quickly as we climbed.
The effort was worth it though. The waterfall is spectacular and one of the highlights of the trip. The slow-motion video captures only part of the power of the water.
The walk also reinforced another lesson. My daypack has officially moved into the category of gear I wouldn't want to be without.
We were back at camp around 1 pm for lunch before spending the afternoon collecting more firewood and preparing for another cold evening.
The birdlife was a pleasant surprise. Australian Golden Whistlers moved through the trees while currawongs provided the soundtrack for much of the afternoon.
Campfire Dinner
One of those camping meals that somehow tastes better because you're outdoors.
- Mushrooms cooked in garlic
- Baked brie drizzled with honey
- Dark chocolate
- Paxton Shiraz
By the end of the evening we'd discovered that the Shiraz paired remarkably well with all of them.
Monday: Rain Arrives
Monday dawned much warmer but very different.
The blue skies had disappeared and steady drizzle settled over the campground.
The fire was moved under the awning where it continued to provide both warmth and entertainment.
One thing that worked particularly well on this trip was Organic Maps. There is no mobile reception in much of the park, but Organic Maps had everything downloaded and available offline.
Avenza Maps remains useful, but only if you remember to download the maps before leaving home.
Another surprisingly useful piece of gear was the small solar and wind-up rechargeable radio. As long as I remembered to switch it on in time, it provided local weather forecasts that were often more useful than guessing from the clouds.
Gear notes from this trip:
- Organic Maps worked well offline.
- Avenza is only useful if the maps are downloaded before leaving home.
- The wind-up solar radio earned its place in the camping kit.
- Merino gloves with waterproof over-mitts have been added to the list.
- The daypack is now essential gear.
By early afternoon the weather appeared to be improving.
The drizzle eased.
We even saw some sunshine.
So naturally we decided it was the perfect time to tackle the Tree Fern Walk.
The track is around eight or nine kilometres and for the first four kilometres it was magnificent. Towering tree ferns, lush forest and glimpses of sunlight breaking through the canopy.
Then the rain arrived.
Not a shower.
Not drizzle.
A proper downpour.
We were both soaked within minutes.
Fortunately we never became cold.
The combination of decent clothing, constant movement and relatively mild temperatures kept us comfortable despite being completely wet.
Back at camp the fire had gone out but was quickly restarted and moved back under the awning.
Dry clothes. A hot cup of tea. A mug of cocoa. A warm fire. Darkness arriving early.
Sometimes that's all a camping trip really needs.
Tuesday: Packing Up
We woke to mist and dampness.
Packing up in wet weather is never glamorous, but at least we were dry.
The rain held off long enough to get everything packed away.
Back home the real work began.
Wet gear was unloaded into containers. The teardrop was unpacked, the fridge cleaned and ready for next time, and the toilet serviced and stored away. The awnings were rolled out in the garage to dry properly before being packed away.
It's one of those jobs every camper knows well. The trip isn't really over until everything is dry and back where it belongs.
Final Thoughts
This trip had a bit of everything.
Sub-zero mornings. Campfires. Rainforest walks. Spectacular waterfalls. Birdlife. Rain. More rain.
And a few useful lessons for next time.
The gloves will stay in the camper.
The daypack remains essential gear.
Organic Maps earns a permanent place on my phone.
And Gibraltar Range has earned a return visit, perhaps in spring when the wildflowers are out.
For now, everything is drying in the garage and we're already looking ahead to the next adventure.
Lake Arragan.
No comments:
Post a Comment