Brownhill to Waterfall Gully

Cue Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Survivor. Today was a battle against the elements and the mind. Warning: do not walk on days above 30deg - today was 36deg and I'm sure we all almost died.

Kath and I were joined by 2 friends, Jon and Tania. It was easier to do a more grueling walk with more of us cos at least one person was likely to be upbeat and cheering us all along. It was the slog up 'the hill' first (Brown Hill) then along the Yurrebilla Trail to Waterfall Gully. Part of this segment included walked past the remains of buildings up at Eagle on the Hill, a flash back to an era before our new freeway. The monumental remains of the old BP were like something from Rome, left to weather the ages as a sign of former glory.

Water was a bit of a concern today and I went through 5+ltrs, luckily we made the stop at Waterfall Gully and were able to stock up on more fluids. It was a give and take situation, where if we hadn't walked that segment we would have made it back fine, but by doing the extra we gave ourselves a bit of a self-inflicted water crisis. It was the first time since school sports days that I've felt the real effects of dehydration, oncoming faint feeling and a sort of claustrophobic closeness about the clear, dry heat.

It reminded me of what it must have been like for early settlers coming here during a time where they would have worn woollen clothing, ties, girdles, itchy breeches, that sort of thing. What a glimpse at that perseverance and determination to survive.

The Hills have a fair bite in them during summer and when bushwalking make sure it's done early morning (and no later than mid-morning) or only on days of 30deg or below. Or, like us, read about it all you like but once you've experienced it realise that it's something you never want to come across again.

Approx. 19kms today. Ouch.