Grampians

 29 January 2017

If asked to sum up this trip in one word -it would be ‘windy!’. But with the crazy summer weather we have been having, and that this was the first trip in almost 2 months, I think all 10 of us were just happy to be out in  real mountains without rain.

It took a couple of hours to get to the top of the Haka Pass after picking up Bronwyn, Helen and Rodney and rearranging 4 cars into 2 at Duntroon. Boots on and we were on our way -all up for 2 ½ hours of steady climbing up 1000 odd meters to 1921m near Black Rocks. Some of us spied the rear ‘black daisy’ and Bronwyn many other species she could name.

Lunch was had with our back to the marvelous view of 7 [imaging one could see Middleton] but shelter was essential. Photos were taken, but I found it difficult to hold the camera steady.

With the wind increasing in intensity, we carefully braced ourselves to maintain our standing during the first section of our descent. After that it was all down at various speeds, averaging about 1 ¾ hours. Replenishing our bodies, those with mathematical/accounting skills were delegated to work out the complexities of the petrol. These 2 functions were completed at Kurow in a pleasant 29 degrees.

8 of the 10 had not been up the Grampians, and by the pain in my quads. a couple of days, it was obvious some had not been up 1000m  recently!

Thanks for the company of Jim, Colin, Maurice, Phyllis, John, Bronwyn, Neville, Helen and Rodney.  Jane G.