This was hike number five in this Canberra Centenary Trail series (see Hike 1, Hike 2, Hike 3 & Hike 4 for a catch-up), and my 2nd over-30km hike on this trail. In fact, what started out as an estimated 32km hike ended up being 37km and my legs were screaming at me for at least the last 10-12km.
The weather was once again overcast, but fortunately I only experienced light rain sporadically throughout the day.
The fauna was all out in action today which was nice. Aside from the usual kangaroos, and less common rock wallabies, I managed to meet my first wombat in the wild as it lumbered across the trail and up the hillside.
So you might be wondering how it came to be that my estimated 32km hike turned into a 37km day. Well, the short version is that I headed in the wrong direction a couple of times throughout the day, and I walked 1km into Section 7’s (next week’s) hike and an additional 2km beyond that to the public transport that would take me home. The upside of that of course is that I have one less kilometre to walk next weekend.
Notes for Section 5/6/7 – Coombs to Mount Stromlo to Bullen Range to Tuggeranong:
Tissues, tissues, tissues. Yes, I remembered the tissues, and it did indeed make life on the trail much more… well, civilised.
Pack straps… well I attempted to adjust them without trying to “fix” them in position but they always tend to work themselves loose eventually. So… I’ll definately need to pop a stitch or two into those straps once they’re adjusted just to keep them in place for the many, many kilometres ahead.
No “flat battery” watch issues to speak of again, so I guess I’ve managed to sort that mid-course charging routine out. I did however have to perform so mid-course GoPro battery charging because four batteries fell just short of satisfying a 37km walk.
Physically, it was a pretty tough day, but despite the aches, pains and inability to walk all that evening, my body seemingly healed overnight and I woke feeling fine the next day. All in all though, it was a great day for walking and talking to the animals, and enjoying the beautiful scenery offered up trekking through the Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve, summiting Mount Arawang, following the Murrumbidgee River while hiking through the exceptional Bullen Range Nature Reserve, and finishing Section 6 plodding along the Pine Island Reserve walk.
Next weekend, on my sixth hike in this series, I will complete the Canberra Centenary Trail with a welcome 26km stroll (all going to plan), and finish up where I started on Hike 1, back at the Australian Parliment House. ‘Til then…
CCT Section 5/6/7 – Coombs to Mount Stromlo to Bullen Range to Tuggeranong Pics
Mount Arawang Summit
Distance walked today: 37km
Weight of Pack and Contents: 12.0kg
Surface: Mixed (asphalt, dirt, mud, sand & rocks)
Weather: Overcast / Light Rain.
Total Distance Walked for Camino-Portugues Training thus far: 138km
CCT Section 5/6/7 – Coombs to Mount Stromlo to Bullen Range to Tuggeranong Video
As always, I recorded this hike with my chest-mounted GoPro Hero 10, and will upload it to the Walking with Strangers Youtube channel as soon as I can.
GoPro Recording Settings: TimeWarp mode with a Wide FOV at 10x speed.
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wow big hike today