Bob had suggested a walk at Mt Victoria, below the cliffs. This time, we were also joined by Doug.
The plan was very similar to a walk Bob and myself had done in 2014, where we were discussing wet weather options, and we decided a walk under the cliffs would at least offer some shelter in overhangs when we needed a break. That walk was very good – and we did have shelter, but we had very few views owing to the mist.
On the earlier trip, we had started at Fairy Bower. This time we started at Mt Piddington. We then walked down the track towards Coxs Cave.
At the bottom of there cliffs, we joined up with the track from Fairy Bower. And this is the point where the short side track goes up to Coxs Cave.
The Coxs Cave track starts with a long ladder –
Then you follow a ledge around to the cave –
The cave is impressive.
We descend back down the ladder and then followed the track around the base of the cliffs to Dunns Leap –
As well as the sign, there is also a fixed wire hanging down that shows the path of Dunn. a schoolboy, took one he fell down and miraculously survived.
The track continues, but is a lot rougher. Keith Painter calls this part of the track “Jack Austen Pass”.
Some parts of the track were wet and muddy.
We then reached the base of the Mount Piddington climbing area. We waved to a few climbers as we walked on the climbs track to the western end of the crag. On the earlier trip, ten years before, we had followed a high shale ledge to reach Rienits Pass. It had been a bit tricky and exposed, but when we looked at it this time – no one wanted to try it. I think recent storms have made this section a lot harder and more dangerous. So we descended and tried a lower route –
This was also not straightforward and some parts also had exposure. But we were soon across, and back on climbers tracks from Rienits Pass.
Once at Rienits Pass track, we noted the lower loop, that we had walked around last trip was closed due to storm damage. So we walked up the Pass to Ross Cave –
We continued on up to the road, and then walked back to Bob’s car at Mt Piddington.
On the way back down the Mountains, we made a side trip to Shipley to see another heritage horse trough. This one is gouged out of the sandstone on the side of the road, not far past the Megalong turn off.
