Saturday 11 June 2022
Rocky Gully to Hugh Gorge – Section 6 Part 2
Distance 15.1km
Moving time 3:46
Track time 5:18
Temp 6′- 13
Up 315m Down 318m
FB – 2 bandaids

We had a great nights sleep last night which was fantastic. We woke to an overcast day with a strong cold wind which continued all day. It was cloudy and windy and cold all day. The second day we have hiked in our polar fleece, and first time in gloves and beanie. This morning we enjoyed a lovely breakfast chat with Steve, Mary-Anne and Fiona, and Linda. Steve and Dave had a good surf chat and I talked with MaryAnne and Fiona. Steve and Mary-Anne’s daughter Tracey (37) was a professional dance. First on Princess cruises for 6 years then Moulin Rouge for 18 months, then back on the cruise ships again. Anyway it was a lovely morning but cold and windy. We headed off about 9am. It was cloudy, cold and windy most of the day. We both hiked with our polar fleece all day. Gloves were on and off and David wore his beanie most of the day. We walked over the last 2 days from the Heavitree Range across the Alice Valley to the Chewings Range. It was very similar terrain and views but has been quite an easy couple of days. Only a couple of small hills each day with undulating pathways, a bit rocky in sections. As today progressed the rocks started to get big and more boulder like. After the first 30 mins of walking the underside of my right forefoot was very tender and bruised, so I stopped and padded it with a couple of bandaids. Then was just more particular with foot placement and it was good for the rest of the day. David’s ankle was a lot better today and he went without tape based on advice from Ben, a Physio who camped with us last night. He said DB looked like he was walking ok so should try not to tape it. His left quad and hip were also a lot better today. We are really happy with how we are going considering Dave’s mishap. The next couple of days are tricky scrambling, short distance but long hours. We are really looking forward to the next couple of sections as the views and challenges are meant to be great. We passed about 8 hikers on the trail today and were the first to camp. All afternoon people arrived. 2 couples (1 from Terrigal), 1 solo girl (Brie), then in the late afternoon 2 girls and a guy – all from the east. Then from the west – Liza had done a 29km day after her rest day at Ellery North and Penny (43) and Eric (53) caught up with us and also had come from a Ellery North. They all had some interesting stories, some in better shape than others. But David was in his element. I left him up talking because I was too cold to stay up any longer. He just loves hearing their stories. We didn’t pass any Daypackers today.