Hiking in Budawang (Corang Arch)

A wonderful overnight hike in Budawang with Gavin, Srini, James and Michael.

Highlights

• Meeting up with Srini and Michael at Wog Wog campsite after a very early start and a 3 hour drive. 
• Incessant, strong, blustery wind on the hike in that made things rather unpleasant.  We were all concerned about where we were going to camp as a night in the wind seemed extremely unappealing.
• Arriving at the lip of the valley after 4 hours of low grade suffering, and being rewarded with spectacular views.  As we hiked down into the valley, the wind lessened a little. The valley was like a garden of Eden; green and lush and expansive.
• Srini suddenly darting off onto a side path from the main trail, saying "Follow me, I think this leads to a cave."  The cave turned out to be a dream come true: Large and spacious, fringed by thick trees, and completely sheltered from the wind.  Some kind souls had even left us a pile of firewood, lovingly collected.  Needless to say, there was much relief and delight that we had found such a perfect spot for the night. 
• Hiking up the ridge by the camp site to get up on high where we enjoyed spectacular views.  Finding the way back down was a little tricky, but the apparent sheer cliff we arrived at turned out not to be a sheer cliff but the way down.
• A wonderful evening in our comfy cave, with a roaring fire, delicious Laksa from Srini and curry from James, and lots of lovely wine etc. to create a mellow high and lots of laughs.  Srini became very philosophical with lots of "Imagine ifs..." and then promptly sank back into a relaxed stupor.
• A very comfortable night thanks to Gavin mistakenly bringing two mattresses; a relief after discovering I'd left mine at home.
• Getting up in the dark for a pee and forgetting I was in a cave, only to bash my head on the ceiling. Lots of blood but it soon stopped.  Nothing too serious, thankfully.
• Waking up to a gorgeous, sunny day with almost no wind.  What a difference that made! The hike back out of the valley was wonderful and we got to really appreciate the views this time.
• Stopping off at Corang Arch on the way back.  An impressive place and the perfect setting for a group leap.
• The hike back to Wog Wog went on longer than expected, and by the time we got to the car, we were all insatiably ravenous.
• Struggling to find a pub that was open.  Thankfully we eventually found one in Noura and I promptly attacked a parmegiana like a carniverous beast. Thank goodness for flexitarianism!
• All in all, a fabulous weekend.

 

Some much needed respite from the wind

 

Hiking down into the valley

The ultimate camp site: A wonderful, sheltered cave

Drinking wine by the fire, on a mellow high

The wound on my head after bashing it on the cave ceiling

My loyal subjects

Climbing up on the ridge by the camp site for some spectacular views

The next day was calm and beautiful - blissful after all the wind

Climbing back out of the valley for more beautiful views

Corang Arch for some leaps

Hiking back to the car at Wog Wog camp site

Bonnum Pic trail (Nattai National Park)

Gavin, Srini, Rajesh and I hiked into the Southern Highlands wilderness to camp in a remote spot and get a good view of the rising full moon.

Highlights included...

• Meeting up with Rajesh in Mittagong. It's always wonderful hiking with him.
• Thinking we would buy wine on the way, then discovering wine legally can't be sold in shops on Good Friday. We resigned ourselves to no wine and then close to the start of the hike, we came across The Tertini Winery. Much to our delight, they were open and sold us some beautiful red wine.
• Hiking along a flat track past farmland and through some deep, overgrown bush and then, after an hour or so, arriving at a high ridge with spectacular views. From there, we hiked along the ridge the rest of the way, up and along a range of stunning rock pagodas. 
• Having the whole place to ourselves. We didn't meet a single soul during our entire time in the wilderness.
• The clouds were incredible and with the setting sun, created some wonderful silhouette photos.
• Arriving at the spot where we would camp. Gavin and Srini had an entertaining disagreement over the exact site, but all was soon resolved and we settled in.  It was perfect with panoramic views and an ideal flat rock for making a fire and doing our cooking.
• Watching the sun set and then turning around and watching the full moon rise, while sipping the most delicious wine.
• Dinner was incredible. Tanya had cooked us up lamb ragu that we had with pasta from Harris Farm. We were hungry at it was absolutely divine.
• By now, the wine had started to take effect and we started some deep and meaningful philosophical discussions (well we thought so at the time!) while Srini built a cracking fire.
• Waking up to the beautiful view the next morning and after chilling out a bit, we returned to the car along the rock pagodas, invigorated and inspired.
• A delicious lunch of Mediterranean salad and bread and butter pudding at The Shaggy Cow in Mittagong. 
• All in all a brilliant hike and camp. This is one of my favourite new hikes.

Walking in

Venturing deep into overgrown bush

Getting to the ridge (what a view!) and many amazing rock pagodas

Heading towards the setting sun

Our awesome campsite

What a view from tent!

Chilling out at the camp site, enjoying the view

Drinking wine fresh from the winery, enjoying the sunset and watching the full moon risse

Round the campfire, cooking up sublime lamb ragu, made by Tanya

Lovely flora and fauna

Happy and inspired after our wonderful hike and camp

Lunch at The Shaggy Cow

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