The Eagles Nest & Lucifers Thumb

[ofuros]

While drooling over a map one evening, I noticed a walk-in access to a small headwater, so being the off-season
here, & in need of some adventure, decided to make some time to investigate.
While in the high country, I also wanted see if the claimed -18c (0f) on my sleeping bag,
really was comfortable for me down to that temperature....plus road test a evernew titanium burner for my Trangia.

Westerly winds from our inland desert, created
cool, clear, star studded skies. -4c (25f)
Soul warming flames, keeped their cold caress at bay.


View through the tent bugmesh....Silouetted Eucalypt canopy, against a moonlit backdrop.


Following a trail through the rainforest, trout were spotted in the pools & runs,
below & above the 4m(13ft) waterfall (not pictured)
Note to myself:- 6ft 2wt.....when the season re-opens.



The Eagles Nest lookout, with wilderness as far as the eye can see....& beyond.


Side trip to the local Dutton Trout Hatchery....fingerlings.

Slightly larger specimens


Second night...Lucifers Thumb area local history. -12c (10f)

View from Lucifers Thumb....Guy Fawkes river in the valley way down below.

20 year old Trangia still going strong.

Little bit of fun for the camera...




In reality, my sleeping bag was comfortable to about -7c (20f),
in combination with a bivy bag...add on a few more degrees..... -10c (15f).
The burner worked fine just needed a little bit of adjustment on my part, fuel quantities mainly, like putting only
what you think your going to need for your cup-a-soup, instead of...filling it to the top...using it,
screw down the top & seal, & use the rest later in the day.

Great couple of days of R&R.....found a hidden rainforest gem, which I will return too with 2wt in hand,
& hopefully share some of those jewells with you.
Sleeping bag doubts layed to rest.
Seems like a green light, for a early season, winter fishing trip to Tasmania.
Just have to find a free week somewhere in August ! :shifty:

Cheers,
Ofuros.

[Apache Trout]

Beautiful scenery!
A.T.

[rossa]

Very nice, it's not the Blue Mountains area by any chance? Hope you didn't run into any bunyips!

[ofuros]

Thanks Apache Trout & Rossa,

Its a combination of Guy Fawkes, & New England National Parks, in between
Armidale & Dorrigo, northern NSW.

There are still very wild & remote places out there,
if we seek them...perspectives change...rejuvinates a weary soul...
makes us more aware of the very hectic lifes we all seem to lead.
Enjoy them while you can,
old father time is quietly ticking away in the background...

Cheers,
Ofuros

[Mostyn]

Ofuros, the small mountain stream explorer!

Gorgeous views of some wonderfully wild countryside!

Brilliant.

[greendrake]

Great post and pics Ofuros. I had no idea that the land of OZ was so mountainous.Most pictures of Australia seem to feature the flat arid desert like terrain.
I really enjoyed this post :bigthumb:

Will

[soupmix]

Agreed. I really enjoyed this post!

[ofuros]

Mostyn,
Always try to sqeeze in a trip a couple of times a year,
keeps me young at heart. ;)

Greendrake,
Yep, we're stereotyped,
Theres a thin band of mountains all along the Australian east coast,
starting in the Tropical northern Queensland,
all the way down to the chilly/windy southern states of Victoria & Tasmania.
There called the Great Dividing Range.
East of the range catches most of rain, while heading west of the range tends to be
in continious dry, drought conditions.

Soupmix,
Glad you enjoyed the post.

[Satoshi]

Thank you for the wonderful post!
The scenery of the valley is just great.
Those ferns along the streamside make the scenery very exotic.

Satoshi

[ofuros]

Thanks Satoshi,
Some days, you don't have to twist my arm, for a
couple of days in the wilderness. ;)