12 April 2002: Albany – Porongurup National Park
40km drive north to the Porongurup National Park, where we walk the 4km Castle Rock trail. Good panoramas from the top of an aptly name group of boulders, Albany in the south, Stirling Ranges in the north.
13 April 2002: Porongurup NP – Stirling Range National Park
The Stirling Ranges seem to rise out nothing – they stretch at various heights for 65km east/west. Similar to the Grampians and the Flinders Ranges.
We hike Bluff Knoll, a steep climb to a peak at about 1071kms. Hard work going up and coming down, but the reward was spectacular 360 degree views over all of the ranges. Hike up Toolbrunup Peak. Not as long or high as the previous walk but harder. Once again beautiful views.
Stirling Strolls
The hike up Bluff Knoll the walkers did say,
Was a bit of a steady climb all of the way,
Way up in the clouds or the bright sunshine,
Whatever the conditions the views are devine.
The wind might blow and the clouds might be low,
I even hear tell that sometimes there's snow,
But none of this matters when you reach the top,
Whatever the conditions you can't miss the drop.
On the way down the passing crowd want to know,
How far to the top, how far to go?
It's hard to say because no one is the same,
Some are like goats while others go lame.
One thing is for sure, if you walk up Bluff Knoll,
It certainly cannot be treated as a leisurely stroll,
The track can be slippery and the descent is tough,
But you won't regret it because it's a beautiful bluff.
Now the hike up Toolbrunup the pundits did say,
Was tougher than Bluff Knoll by a bloody long way,
Way up on the scree and the boulder slopes,
It's only the fit and spry that copes.
Toolbrunup's top is not as high as Bluff Knoll,
But the steeper climb takes more of a a toll,
Rock scrambling, no steps and the need for sure feet,
Make the reward at the top as much of a treat.
On the way down the passing crowd are few,
Conversations about the distances we didn't need to eschew,
Is it harder going up or is it harder to descend?
I haven't made up my mind, I'm still on the mend.
At the end of the day if you've walked Toolbrunup Peak,
You will understand that it's not for the meek,
It might'nt be as high or as long as Bluff Knoll,
But it would be considered harder if you took a straw poll.
Craig, 15th April 2002
