Dingle Saddle and Canyon Creek
17/18th Feb 2018
The focus of this particular overnight trip was to encourage those who hadn’t quite got to tenting, to take the plunge and join others in the same boat, to camp out beside the vehicles, thus avoiding the next step of carrying all that stuff on you back. There just happened to be an added bonus of a couple of pretty special day walks in this area.
However, the original theme of camping out evaporated quickly when the option of taking over the unoccupied Base Hut for the night became the option. The fact that it was raining at this time made the decision unanimous.
Saturday’s walk was to the ridge behind Base hut to look into the Dingle Valley. The rain ceased early in the day and we had fabulous views from the top. However the strong and chilly wind shortened our exploration along the ridge.
Sunday – a short drive to the locked gate and we were off on foot to Canyon Creek, an easy forty minute flat walk. Then there was the twenty minute grunt to the vantage point above the Canyon where you see all the way up valley to the 220m high rock terrace across the entire valley.
The top of this was our objective for those who desired, but still some two hours away.
As we got closer, the thought of ever getting up there evaporated, as this valley walk takes you right to the bottom of this 220m monster. However, with lots of encouragement from those that had been there before, the trundling was replaced with more serious concentration and “don’t look down”.
At the top, once again a chilly wind had us hunkering down in a small but dry river cutting, except for one of our party who ventured towards the middle of the cirque and with arms held high, screamed his elation at being so privileged to be at this place. I’m sure everyone there, shared his sentiment.
A very cautious descent followed by an almost easy walk back to the vehicles completed yet another enjoyable tramping weekend.
The ten participants were, Bill, Bess, Chris, Colin, Jenny, John, Marian, Neville, Roz, and Vicky.
