MOUNT GUDGENBY, NAMADGI NATIONAL PARK
SATURDAY 9TH OF FEBRAURY 2008

Adrian Blake, Tom Gleeson

PHOTOS: http://usydedu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6509&l=c3611&id=511134958

The inspiration for this daywalk came from Graeme Barrow’s track notes in his book “Namadgi & Tidbinbilla Classics: Tough Bushwalks in Canberra’s High Country.” We based our route on Walk 18, which involves a long road-bash down the Old Boboyan Road, followed by some fire trail bashing alongside Naas Creek in the Boboyan Valley, then a gradual uphill gully bash to the Gudgenby Saddle, finally topped of with a tough scrub bash and challenging slippery rock-slab climb up to the summit of Mount Gudgenby, 1739m. Barrow says this of the mountain:

“Mount Gudgenby is a heart-stopping sight as it soars above the treeline when viewed from the Boboyan pines, its peak a bulbous rockface, the summit ridge slashing the sky as it runs in a northerly direction before ending abruptly. It is the grandest of the ACT mountains and in keeping with its status is among the hardest to climb.”

The views from the trig were fantastic, though were on this day limited by the dark storm clouds all around. The descent to the Gudgenby Saddle was swift, and then we bush-bashed down and around to Bogong Creek before picking up the fire-trail and following it for an hour and a bit back to the car. We took nine and a half hours for the trip, including a generous stop for jaffles at lunch time. The distance was roughly 25km. A strenuous daytrip but a very worthwhile and enjoyable one. Thanks to Adrian for the company and another good walk.

PHOTOS: http://usydedu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6509&l=c3611&id=511134958

Mr G.