Dawdling, lallygagging, dragging the chain - all describes me this slow, ever so slow, morning. I was glad to be in a hut last night as I listened to the blustery winds buffet the hut. Finally, it showered in the early hours of the morning but not the heavy rains originally predicted. I was in no hurry to get up as I only had ~18 kms to walk today and I thought I might as well enjoy the shelter while I had it. I was still lying in bed at 0830 (quite a change from my usual up before dawn routine) when it finally rained a bit heavier. I was happy to be warm and snug inside. I finally got up and started walking at 1030. It was a huge change from the string of fine weather I had enjoyed until a few days ago. Cloudy, very windy, cold (probably 7 degs vs the warm 22 deg of a few days ago) and occasional light showers. I was dressed for it, including wearing my rain skirt. As long as I stay active, I know from experience that I will stay warm. Despite the showers, the landscape is still patched and not enough rain had fallen to create mud. I crest a hill and see an agitated Father Emu with six chicks. He keeps rushing his chicks and I see why - a large crow is attacking the chicks, knocking one over. The chicks are the same size as the crow but obviously vulnerable and the Emu is almost too big to fight the small crow. I stride into this and holler “shoo!” The crow flies away while the emu and his chicks run over the hill. I know predators are a natural part of life but I hope the baby chicks were able to use the interruption to escape safely! The walking seems easy today so I take my time. I enjoy seeing the Golden Spike again where the Ediacaran Period is defined. I think the geological signs in the Flinders are fantastic! At times, it showers lightly on me but I never get soaked. I meet a solo lady backpacking but when I greet her and ask how she is doing, she doesn’t verbally respond, just lifts one hand in a wave and quickly walks on. Perhaps I seem threatening? I spend a lot of the walk thinking about the experiences over the past 50 days. I’ve enjoyed the hike immensely but, similar to last year, I am ready to come home to family and friends. The really pleasing thing about this year is I feel physically strong versus last year when I struggled with an injury the last few days. In fact, I think I have been physically stronger this entire walk and have found it less physically exhausting than my first year. Perhaps it’s just the psychological boost from knowing what’s in front of you. I climb a few last hills and descend into Aroona Ruins campsite. I had to book a site here and there are a number of caravans already set up. As usual, it seems like I’m the only walk in. As I’m setting up, I see another backpacker walk in. We chat and I find that Greg has been walking the creeks or going cross country (no trail) for the past three days since he left Blinman. Quite adventurous. His son has cached food for him here. I offer to share my campsite after he finds the food cache. We have a great chat after Greg comes back - he is a super nice person. Despite the cold, wind and occasional shower, it’s pleasant to chat to someone over dinner. It’s early to bed. Greg has a Garmin In-Reach satellite communication device and his family updates him on the weather - it’s supposed to get three degrees below freezing tonight! Brrrr! Tomorrow, I’ll get up an hour before dawn and break camp by headlamp as my goal is to be walking by dawn. Only 19 kms to go and I want to finish by noon. I’m so looking forward to seeing Lisa at the trailhead! It’s been an amazing experience and a privilege to walk the full ~1200 km Heysen Trail for two consecutive years. I won’t commit now to walking it again but I certainly know I’ll miss so many things about the trail: the constantly changing natural beauty along the trail, stunning sunrises and sunsets, the physical challenges and the satisfying feeling of your body hardening into it and, most of all, the triumph of overcoming fears and obstacles. Who knows, maybe third time is charmed? Onto my last day! Carl / Pilgrim ———- Weather: Grey cloudy, windy, cold and periodic light showers Calories burnt: 1893

Hiking/Backpacking

South Australia, Heysen Trail

Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia

time : Aug 6, 2020 10:17 AM

duration : 4h 56m 51s

distance : 17.3 km

total_ascent : 319 m

highest_point : 556 m

avg_speed : 4.3 km/h

user_id : gstreet

user_firstname : Carl

user_lastname : Greenstreet

Dawdling, lallygagging, dragging the chain - all describes me this slow, ever so slow, morning. I was glad to be in a hut last night as I listened to the blustery winds buffet the hut. Finally, it showered in the early hours of the morning but not the heavy rains originally predicted. I was in no hurry to get up as I only had ~18 kms to walk today and I thought I might as well enjoy the shelter while I had it. I was still lying in bed at 0830 (quite a change from my usual up before dawn routine) when it finally rained a bit heavier. I was happy to be warm and snug inside. I finally got up and started walking at 1030. It was a huge change from the string of fine weather I had enjoyed until a few days ago. Cloudy, very windy, cold (probably 7 degs vs the warm 22 deg of a few days ago) and occasional light showers. I was dressed for it, including wearing my rain skirt. As long as I stay active, I know from experience that I will stay warm. Despite the showers, the landscape is still patched and not enough rain had fallen to create mud. I crest a hill and see an agitated Father Emu with six chicks. He keeps rushing his chicks and I see why - a large crow is attacking the chicks, knocking one over. The chicks are the same size as the crow but obviously vulnerable and the Emu is almost too big to fight the small crow. I stride into this and holler “shoo!” The crow flies away while the emu and his chicks run over the hill. I know predators are a natural part of life but I hope the baby chicks were able to use the interruption to escape safely! The walking seems easy today so I take my time. I enjoy seeing the Golden Spike again where the Ediacaran Period is defined. I think the geological signs in the Flinders are fantastic! At times, it showers lightly on me but I never get soaked. I meet a solo lady backpacking but when I greet her and ask how she is doing, she doesn’t verbally respond, just lifts one hand in a wave and quickly walks on. Perhaps I seem threatening? I spend a lot of the walk thinking about the experiences over the past 50 days. I’ve enjoyed the hike immensely but, similar to last year, I am ready to come home to family and friends. The really pleasing thing about this year is I feel physically strong versus last year when I struggled with an injury the last few days. In fact, I think I have been physically stronger this entire walk and have found it less physically exhausting than my first year. Perhaps it’s just the psychological boost from knowing what’s in front of you. I climb a few last hills and descend into Aroona Ruins campsite. I had to book a site here and there are a number of caravans already set up. As usual, it seems like I’m the only walk in. As I’m setting up, I see another backpacker walk in. We chat and I find that Greg has been walking the creeks or going cross country (no trail) for the past three days since he left Blinman. Quite adventurous. His son has cached food for him here. I offer to share my campsite after he finds the food cache. We have a great chat after Greg comes back - he is a super nice person. Despite the cold, wind and occasional shower, it’s pleasant to chat to someone over dinner. It’s early to bed. Greg has a Garmin In-Reach satellite communication device and his family updates him on the weather - it’s supposed to get three degrees below freezing tonight! Brrrr! Tomorrow, I’ll get up an hour before dawn and break camp by headlamp as my goal is to be walking by dawn. Only 19 kms to go and I want to finish by noon. I’m so looking forward to seeing Lisa at the trailhead! It’s been an amazing experience and a privilege to walk the full ~1200 km Heysen Trail for two consecutive years. I won’t commit now to walking it again but I certainly know I’ll miss so many things about the trail: the constantly changing natural beauty along the trail, stunning sunrises and sunsets, the physical challenges and the satisfying feeling of your body hardening into it and, most of all, the triumph of overcoming fears and obstacles. Who knows, maybe third time is charmed? Onto my last day! Carl / Pilgrim ———- Weather: Grey cloudy, windy, cold and periodic light showers Calories burnt: 1893