Narrow Neck Viewpoint to Mount Solitary

An epic 20 km hike with Srini and Rajesh with lots of uphill. Perfect to try out my new hiking boots which proved to be a perfect fit. 
 

Pierces Pass, Blue Mountains

Camping

Hiking to Lockley's Pylon, Blue Mountains

Wonderful to get out into the mountains with the boys again.  It was a low effort, high return hike with amazing views across the valley.

Pierce's Pass: Off track bush bashing at its best

Highlights of the day

• Yet another great but lesser known hike from Srini, the hike-finder extraordinaire.
• The dream-team together again.  
• Starting the hike with a very slippery descent down a pathless slope and realising this was going to be no picnic in the park.
• Not seeing another soul the entire hike.
• Endless slips along the way: Srini fell over 5 times, Gavin tumbled down a muddy slope (lucky to escape with everything in tact) and I hurt my shoulder after a slip of my own.  All in a day's adventure.
• Our first epic view down into the valley.
• An ascent up a grassy hill. Gavin made the mistake of pulling himself up with the long grass and the grass promptly bit back!
• A steep descent down to a lovely forested creek, full of ferns.
• Struggling a little to find the way up the creek on the other side and the relief when we found it. Going back the way we came would have been far from ideal.
• Gavin doing some wonderful impromptu lessons but some pesky photo bombers rather spoiled the effect!
• An epic view near the end of the hike.
• Apple pie, followed by a cool beer in Richmond on the way home.

Off into the blue yonder

The first grand vista of the day

Up a hill of endless grass...

Bush-bashing up a grassy hill. Gavin sliced his poor finger on the sharp grass blades.

...and a steep descent into the valley to a creek ...

Down, down, down

A mistaken detour took us to this great spot.

Getting a bit lost for a while, struggling to find the way up

The creek ends in an abrupt cliff which fortunately is not the way. 

Up the valley on the other side after finding the way

Rewarded with spectacular views near the end of the hike

Tired and bruised but very happy after a great day out

 

A well-earned beer at the end