What’s the Point?
Standing on the pinnacle at the tip of Point Constance – I’m the one on the far right
The sun was beating down on us, my legs were starting to cramp and I knew my water supply was getting low. We were crossing a very steep slope with huge fallen trees, thick scrub and loose rocks. The light was fading, we were off track, completely dependent on our GPS and fairly exhausted as we tried to find a way off this steep escarpment. It might have been a precarious situation if not for the company I was keeping, some of the most experienced and adventurous bush walkers in the Blue Mountains. But the adventure had been rewarded with a spectacular view from the obscure top of Constance Point. Or was that Point Cameron or the Point of Cape Horn? As fatigue sets in I could ask myself which point I was standing on but I certainly knew what the point was – to explore and enjoy the magnificent bush.
“We need to get over there” – our leader Yuri on the way to Constance Point
Yes, we’ve recently been exploring some of the most remote and inaccessible places near the Wolgan Valley in the upper Blue Mountains and they all seem to end with magnificent views from scenic points. But such views don’t come easy. Each of these walks involve a day-long commitment in difficult terrain and a strong trust in the GPS and your fellow walkers. But what an adventure each walk is, great fun amongst kindred spirits and a super way to spend time outdoors with family and friends.
Team photo – the intrepid group on the walk to Constance Point
I joined the Bush Club for an exploratory walk up Constance Gorge and finally out to Constance Point in the deep recesses of the Wolgan Valley. This was an all star cast of veteran bush walkers including authors, environmentalists, presidents of multiple clubs and organisations, lifelong adventurers…and me. The day was a great reminder of how much you can see and what great experiences you can have with a bit of effort. And it was a great reminder, if we needed one, that our second home of the Wolgan Valley is magical place.
Our lunch spot atop a huge pagoda with commanding views all around us
Traffic jam – a steep narrow gully which required some team work to negotiate – I’m in blue in the middle (thanks again Brian)
Constance Gorge provided a magical rain forest to explore, including hidden waterfalls, ancient trees and steep cliff walls
Our Wolgan Valley from a rare angle with Donkey Mountain in the background
The last obstacle for our tired legs – a fallen log across the shallow Wolgan River
The family took advantage of the Australia Day long weekend to venture again into the bush on two different off-track walks – both a bit challenging and both loaded with extraordinary vistas, magnificent rock formations, deep gullies and new discoveries.
Will and Gemma, soon to be married, pausing in front of grand views on the ridge of the Great Dividing Range
The first walk had almost all the family join us and involved a walk out on the crest of the Great Dividing Range which separates the Capertee Valley and the Wolgan Valley, skirting around Mt. Jamison, then negotiating through the huge pagodas and rough terrain until we finally reached Point Cameron. This extraordinary lookout, perched out on a suspended rock, provided almost aerial views of Capertee Valley with Pantoney’s Crown anchored right in the middle. It was a view to take your breath away but it was the journey out to the Point Cameron and back that made the trip special.
Anna and Carl standing in Stargate Tunnel at the bottom of McLean’s Pass
Land of the giants – the huge pagodas dominate our morning tea spot but give Anna some great photos
The younger generation hardly raised a puff after climbing the ridge and looking down into Capertee Valley
And the older generation made quick work of the climb also – the views were our reward
The deep gullies we had to negotiate provided a few challenges but also some beautiful places to explore
Gemma and Julie provide colour and laughter with this large grass tree
Some of the deep gullies helped us with a welcome pass out to the point
The team that survived the ordeal and made it out to Point Cameron
Views from the Nipple – a commanding rock formation provided us with the ultimate 360 degree views
The team on a well earned rest on Whale Rock which rests on the spine of the Great Dividing Range
Two days later a smaller subset of the group, well…just Anna, Zach and I, tackled the steep walk from our property up the escarpment, out to a point providing spectacular views of the valley, then followed the ridge to the tip of Cape Horn. From Cape Horn we dropped down off the escarpment, managed to get ourselves into some very steep and exposed terrain, followed the slope as it circumnavigated the Cape high above us and staggered back into camp six hours later. Phew!
Zach checking out the steep climb through heavy foliage that we needed to negotiate before reaching the first ridge
Don’t look at me – a spiky echidna is hiding his face and hoping we don’t see him
The start of the tricky descent – this is the easy part through a forest of ferns
The successful team back at camp and deserving that first cold one
And finally, the best photo of them all….
Need I say more?