Tuesday 07 June 2022
Hermits Hideaway to Mt Giles Lookout return
Distance 3.8km
Moving time 0:43
Track time 1:16
Up 68m Down 69

Mt Giles lookout to Serpentine Chalet Dam – Section 9 Part 2
Distance 16.6km
Moving time 4:51
Track time 6:37
Temp 6′- maybe 17′
Up 387m Down 590m
Camp elevation 800m

Well the wind howled last night but we were quite protected at Hermits Hideaway. It was a lovely little camp we had all to ourselves. At 6.30am we got up and headed up to Mt Giles lookout for sunrise. It was about 1km of quite rocky terrain by torchlight but we made it to enjoy a beautiful sunrise. It was a lovely morning. We then headed back down to camp for breakie and to pack up. We were on our way again by 9.20am back up to Mt Giles lookout which had phone service. We made a few calls and were just about to leave at 10.15am when Jim plonked himself down for a chat. He had got a little lost yesterday and that’s why he stayed down the base of the hill last night. He is still hoping to make it to Serpentine Chalet Dam but that is another 16km so we will be surprised if he makes it. We did find out that he had an Eperb so we don’t need to worry about him again. So off we went again at 10.45am. A lot later than we hoped as today’s walk is about 5.5 hours.
Well the first section was down down, down. Mostly on switchbacks but there were a few rocky climb downs. All in all it was a pretty pleasant walk down and then across to Waterfall Gorge. Then it was undulating on varying terrain and through a valley. It was very beautiful with high escarpment on either side. It was also very green. We then went through Inarlanga Pass which was some of our favourite types of walking, rock scrambles and riverbed rock hopping. Whilst walking through the rock scramble David twisted his ankle whilst taking a photo. Eekk! We still had about 3 km of the walk to complete and he soldiered on in a bit of pain. We think that may have helped him keep the blood flowing through the injury. The last 6km were very tiring and we are both feeling the affects of the 5 days walk so far. Even David is happy with the slower schedule we have organised.
We arrived at camp a little later than normal about 4pm. David’s ankle is quite sore, he has it bandaged with a snake bandage and Annie a lady at the camp gave him some Physio cream which hopefully will help. She also offered Nurofen and Voltaren tablets which he declined.
I learnt how to set up the tent by instruction today which was really good, so David could rest his foot. We are hoping David will be ok to walk in the morning. If not we will work out our plan of attack then.
We had a pleasant afternoon/evening talking to Anne 70, Mary 74 and Annie 65. These three ladies are friends with Frances who we met at Ormiston Gorge. i thought they were in their early to mid sixties. They are doing the track over 20 days, having a couple of days rest along the way. Well DB was able to hang our packs and food bags because the mice are really bad here. We even saw an owl swoop in to the shelter to catch his dinner. They are having a field day. I tried to do the rest of the setup so David could rest his foot. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Jim hasn’t made it here tonight as expected.