Got up at 6:00. Set the alarm at 7:00 before going to bed, but woke up early in the morning. The hut I was staying today was only 18km ahead, and did not need to leave here early. Had a relaxed morning reading magazines belonging to the hut, and started at 9:15.
Fine weather all day. The walking track went on a 4WD track crossing back and forth of the Harper river. The river was still high after 2 days of heavy rain and too muddy to see the depth. After the 3rd crossing, decided to keep to the true right of the river. Found and followed an old track in the forest. Was a hard work to made my way through thick under growth, but was still better than crossing the river over and over with a risk.
Took me an extra long time to go, but felt rewarded seeing pinnacles turning up on my way all of sudden. It reminded me of the pinnacles in Perth, a beauty spot of Western Australia where we have visited 15 years ago. Took some pics with ecstasy.
Felt easy seeing a wide valley came up on my way, but soon after this struggled to walk across violent Avoca river. It was leg deep, too, and nearly fell down in the river - hanging on to walking poles and made it somehow.
Walked on a farm road, arrived at the designated campsite at 15:15. Did not see anyone today again. Pitched a tent after 3 weeks. Got cold as soon as sunset and snuggled into sleeping bag early in the night. Went to bed at 21:00. Walked 6 hours, 18km.
昨夜目覚ましを7:00にセットして寝たが、早くから目覚めてしまい6:00に起床。今日は宿泊地の関係で18kmしか進めず、早く出発しても仕方がないので、山小屋の雑誌などを読んでのんびり過ごし9:15出発。
一日よく晴れた。山道はすぐに四輪駆動車用道路になり、ハーパー川の右岸と左岸を行ったり戻ったり。しかし雨が止んで2日近く経つのにまだ水量が多く、濁っていて深さの判断も難しい。3度渡渉を繰り返した時点で、残りは右岸に留まることに決め、森の中の昔の道を捜し当てたり、深い下草に四苦八苦しながら進む骨の折れる作業だったが、怖い思いをして川を何度も渡るよりはいい。
遅々として進めなかったが、そのうち突然目の前に奇岩が現れ苦労が報われた気がした。地図に載っているピナクルズらしい。なるほど、西オーストラリア州パースの近郊にある奇勝ピナクルズを彷彿とさせる風景で、15年前に訪れたその風景を思い出しながら夢中でシャッターを切った。
その後谷が開けホットしたのも束の間、支流のアヴォカ川の渡渉が思いの外激流で、腰下ほどの深さがあり、危うく転倒しそうになったのを二本の杖で支えて渡り切った。
後は農道を歩いて15:15に指定のキャンプ場着。今日も誰にも会わなかった。約3週間ぶりのテント泊は日が陰ると急激に寒くなり、早々に寝袋に潜り込む。21:00就寝。本日の歩行6時間、18km。
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