Diana had invited me to join her for a couple of days at Kanangra Walls. She was interested in researching some of the early history of the area for a book she is working on. I took along my camera hoping for some good photographic conditions.
As it turned out – the lighting both in the evening and in the morning was not great – but it was a bit moody – especially in the late afternoon. Being at Kanangra Walls is always great. We camped in the Dance Floor Cave – so it was easy for me to get onto the Kanangra Plateau for sunrise.
On the plateau, we could look up to the far end of Kanangra Deep and see Kanangra Falls. Just to the right of the falls is The White Tower, first climbed by Tom Williams and Ian Brown. Tom has recently written up an account of that climb on his blog here.
Also. sitting on top of the walls was a peregrine falcon. Unfortunately, it flew off as I tried to approach for a closer photo.
We had an enjoyable walk out to Cottage Rock and back, and on the way noting many orchids.
Back at the carpark, it was nice to see the resident wallaby once again. It must be almost time for her it to jettison her joey?
More photos from the trip are online here.
Some of the most atmospheric photos of Kanangra and Thurat I’ve ever seen.
Hi David,
Is the water bucket still located in the Coal Seam Cave? The person I just spoke to at the NP Office in Oberon didn’t seem to think so. We are looking to do an overnight in the cave in a couple of weeks and I’m just doing some prep.
Appreciate your feedback,
Greg
As far as I know the bucket is still there. It is usually a plastic garbage bin or similar. Sometimes the water can get a bit stagnant looking. Sometimes it can completely dry up.
Thanks for that. I couldn’t see any reason for it to have been removed and the staff member I was talking to seemed to be talking more out of ignorance to its existence in the first place rather than from knowledge of its removal. I would still treat it before drinking it if it looked dodgy. I just recall seeing it when I was last there and being very grateful to have the water to drink!
In Easter of 1977 I took part in an organised four day walk, departing Kanangra Walls early on a Friday morning after a very windy night at Boyd River. My overwhelming memory of that very windy night is how beautiful and mighty the gums were.
The walk through Kanangra Deep, Christies Creek, a Sunday breakfast on Cloudmaker, the climb back through Krafts Wall, and so much more has lived with me ever since. The “pull” to this area for me is soulful, I cannot explain it any other way. I was to do a lot more walking over the next three years, but nothing ever compared, nor challenged me like that walk did. I very badly damaged my right ankle whilst serving in the Australian Regular Army in 1980 which effectively put paid to anymore serious walking and climbing. I always held on to a dream that one day it would happen again, but at nearly fifty nine years of age and two years down the track after a total knee replacement, I must face facts. My right ankle is full of arthritis and very unstable, the pain levels after an hour on my feet every day are horrendous. I live at Kurrajong Hills and drive out to “the walls” now and again and weep…
What your photography and blog has done for me in terms of raising my spirits is beyond words, I could never convey my gratitude enough. To know the area, to experience it, is something akin to having it dermally absorbed into you very spirit, I struggle to describe it in any other way. It’s a very special part of the world. Someone who doesn’t understand once said “I don’t know what the big deal is, it’s just Hills and trees….”. People like you and I know better.
Thank you.