Available days for activities - hiking and paddling - July and August

For ease of access and a bit better planning, I have mapped out July and August for possible activities for the crew and others who wish to come along. Please remember, if you are paddling the first time in a kayak, please ensure you have been through a lesson with me. Please view the post " A Flatwater Lesson with Flounder" dated 22/03/2010 to understand what's involved. Please also remember that other trips such as the Mulgrave Trip, would be from Insertion at Kearney's to Extraction at "the Shark's Tooth Campground". Basically if you read the post of the "First Trip down the Mulgrave " dated 07/02/2010.

Since June is a write off for activities for myself, I thought it would be better to have some sort of follow up plan. This does not mean that the usual crew need miss out on any paddling....go right ahead guys....enjoy.

3rd - 4th July - Upper Barron River - Koah to Mantaka


This would be a good trip for anyone who has not yet been down this part of the Barron River. Although I am unsure of the river levels at this time, I am pretty sure that it would be ok.

This is generally Grade 2, and depending on levels, a Grade 3 may be thrown in for good measure - I am referring to "The Crunch".

Above is young Victoria on the "Three Ways" rapid.


Moony taking to the "Step Down Rapids".

And Mobbsy slips down the Chicken Shute for "The Crunch"

The logistics for this trip is a meeting place opposite Smithfield Shopping Centre on the Kuranda Highway at 8am. We leave a pickup vehicle at Mantaka, and go forward to Koah township. We will need lunch for this day trip. This will be a kayaks only venture.

10th July - Back to the Barron Gorge

Yep it's back to the Gorge for this Saturday afternoon venture. Probable meeting place will be Lake Placid at 1.30pm.

This is Adro on Maccas Wave

This is Adro cutting through part of the Butchers Knife rapid.

Again.....Kayaks only for this trip.

25th July 2010 - Back on the Mulgrave for a final Canoe Kayak Paddle.

Usual logistics with an 9am start. Advise friends of this one, particularly beginners to fill up the canoes. Most probably 3 canoes available and a range of beginner kayaks from Adventure Equipment. Bring Lunch.

This is Screech on the flatwater leadup to "the Strainer".

Fordey in his conquest of the Canoe on the quiet paddle after the "S-Bend" rapid

7th August - Candlelight Dinner - Behana Creek

To be either held on the bridge if we get permission, or the little swimming hole upriver of the bridge.

This is an event where you either cook dinner by the river, or be able to re-heat something palatable by the river. Examples in the past have been Thai Rissoles, Thai Green Curry, Sumptious Spaghetti, or home made Italian Pizza. This will be completed by wine and the ever-present candleabra of Flick and Tangles.

Here is the view of the swimming hole from the bridge

For this, remember to bring warm clothing.

21-22nd August - Mount Emerald Hike

Ages in coming but a date has been decided. You will need a proper backpack for this one and good hiking boots also. The hike is about 1.5 hours long and gets steep in some places....but it is do-able....even for beginners.

Other items you will need are : a decent sleeping bag or swag; carry your own water; food or share food for one night and morning , cooking implements; torches and a Camera.

No, I am not doing what you think. This was in 2004 looking at the Balloon launch from adjacent to the campsite at 5.30 in the morning

This is the peak and off in the distance you can see the upper reaches of the development at Tolga.

So ends the plan for the next couple of months. Please remember activities can change depending on weather, and other obstacles along the way.

Remember, when paddling the fabulous natural watercourses, or hiking the magnificent walking tracks of this great country, please do not leave anything except footprints in the sand, and take away nothing but photos and memories of your time spent there.