Photo credit: Tom Brennan [ozultimate.com]
Note: There is a hidden question in the trip brief. Make sure to answer it in your booking comment so I know you’ve read the whole thing 🙂
TLDR: 24km out and back, 12km each day, 700m elev. gain, some off-track navigation, hiking Saturday and Sunday. Start/finish at Mount Bushwalker carpark, near Lake Conjola. Leaving carpark at 7 AM Saturday, return by 3pm Sunday, back in Sydney ~7 PM. Hard grade, some prior experience required.
Are you a keen hiker and aspiring navigator? Are you craving a proper winter adventure? How about an exploratory hike in the Budawangs?
Mount Talaterang is a three-layered peak (three distinct plateaus) on the western edge of the Budawang range. It’s accessible from the Mount Bushwalker carpark, 3.5 hours drive south of Kensington.
Accessing the summit (779m) and logbook is the easy part. I intend to go futher south along the ridge, descend one level, and camp near Talaterang falls. Overall, this will involve a number of hours of medium/hard trail walking, followed by some off-track bush bashing down from the summit.
Even if we don’t make it to the intended site, we’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Pigeonhouse, the Castle, and Byangee walls. If the clouds stay away, the stargazing will also be great during the new moon. Secret question: what is your favourite naked-eye celestial object?
The challenge of reaching the campsite will be compounded by the fact that we only have 9 hours and 57 minutes of daylight on Saturday. For this reason, I intend to start hiking AT SUNRISE (7 AM)!
If you sign up, you will commit to arriving the night before, or if you can’t, leaving on Saturday morning BEFORE 4 AM so you arrive for sunrise AT 7 AM!
We will be carpooling in 2-3 cars from Sydney to Mount Bushwalker via the Princes Highway. The fewer cars the better! 2WDs will make the drive just fine. NOTE: This trip will be subject to cancellations due to poor weather, with 3-5 days advance notice.
Ideally, you are self-sufficient and already know what to pack for an overnighter, including adequate warm clothing (it’s the middle of winter you know). I will double check your hiking experience and skill level before accepting. Group size will be limited to 8 people, meaning I will only accept up to 6 signups.
Essential gear for bush-bashing:
- Long sleeve shirt!!!
- Gaiters
- Gardening gloves
- Durable boots or shoes – no sneakers
- Sunglasses
- Compass
- Optional – Physical map and GPS
…and also don’t forget these:
- Thermal baselayers!!
- Sleeping bag in a dry sack
- Head torch
- Emergency blanket
- Personal first aid
- 1 night + 2 days of food
- Stove, fuel, pot
- Tent
- Sleeping mat
- Raincoat
- Light jacket
- Very warm jacket for the freezing winter temps
- Beanie, gloves, wooly socks
- Purification tabs or filter
- Toiletries (including toilet paper)
These items should be packed alongside your standard overnight hiking kit (e.g. REI checklist)
In your signup comment, please let me know:
- Your experience level – e.g. the name of some hikes you’ve completed
- Three items you are packing specifically for bush-bashing
- Answer to La Question Secrète
With regards,
Campbell (and Noah)
Educate yourself with some further reading:
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