Day 2 - Gammon Ranges: Balcanoona Creek
We plan a short out and return to Bunyip Chasm, before heading to Grindell’s campground along Balcanoona Creek. We get nearly to Bunyip Chasm but are stumped by a short sheer wall. There is no Inreach reception in the deep gorge so we err on the side of caution and decide not to climb it.
A crisp, clear dawn.
The day ahead : Distance 16.0 km (10.0 miles) ; Gain 500 m (1640 ft) ; Descent 530 m (1740 ft)
The Triplex is perfect for these conditions.
Noodles
Helen’s favourite breakfast!
We head east towards Bunyip Chasm along Wuturta Track until we get to the old well. Here we branch off following an unmarked track. The trick will be to find the correct gorge.
This is the one!
Balcanoona Creek
Magnificent Xanthorrhoeas
Brilliant cliffs, ever narrowing.
More water, but after this there is a lot of rock scrambling and boulder hopping, very slow, hard going.
We had hoped to reach Bunyip Chasm but we cannot scale the small sheer wall, or at least aren’t game to attempt it or, more specifically, the subsequent descent on return when we are at least an hour away from any Inreach Satellite comms in the narrow Gorge. Never mind, what we’ve seen has been fantastic.
We backtrack and head east towards Grindell’s campground. The country is incredibly parched.
We top up our water and set up camp.
Geoff’s favourite Green Chicken Curry – one happy camper!
But it’s been a surprisingly hard day; and seeing the country under such stress is having an impact on both of us.
The rock wallabies are very tame.
But never feed them because they get a disease known as scabby mouth.
