Saturday 29 Dec 2018

Off at 5:15 and at destination at 10:30, now that’s more like it! It started out with a gradual climb and then a long decent through the Kalpowar State Forest, which is somewhat of a hoop pine plantation. And they must have taken lessons from BC Forestry because clear cutting seems to be the preferred way of logging here also.

And if anyone doubts my claims of it being so steep, here’s some proof. Fortunately I was going down this time.

There were again a fair number of uphill sections, but they were mostly rideable, which was nice for a change.

I also came through a large burnt area again, one trunk still smoldering, but the fire could have been weeks ago. Those hardwood eucalyptus can smolder for a long, long time.

Kolan River crossing would have made a good camp site also, but I knew from before that there is Gaeta Park with shelter, tables, rainwater, power and toilets. Even TP.

Mt Gaeta

There was a group of three young folk on 1-year work visas with a tent when I arrived, but they vacated soon after so I seem to have it to myself. And therefore I’m set up in the elegant picnic shelter again, right beside the rainwater tank. Such luxury! And to top it all off, 5 km before the Park there was a mango tree with a number of ripe ones on the ground. Not the R2E2 kind, much more thready, but not to be passed up.

Totals: 53k 4:20h 835m+ 1000m-