BAPTISM BY HEAT AND FLIES

Monday December 12, 2015
Six Foot Track – Day 1
After such a long time in planning our big 12 month long adventure, we were finally off on our first training hike in the Blue Mountains. We chose a track close to home and a trail we knew.  We have both run the Six Foot Track many times, finishing the 45 km distance at a time of around five and a half hours. We planned to hike the track out and back from the Black Range campground. So we set off on Monday morning  heading towards Katoomba, eager and full of energy  while hiking in the still cool morning air.
We reached the Pluviometer covering the 10km distance in about 2 hours. The views are pretty unremarkable along the Black Range except as you approach the Pluviometer there are glimpses of the deep blue  valley we were heading towards.
The next 10 km to Cox’s River were downhill with flies increasing with every step. The sun was high in the sky now and it felt like it was going to be a warm day. The descent off the Pluviometer and Mini Mini Saddle were hard on the quads and knees as the weight of our packs added to risk of sliding on the loose gravel.   It took us close to 3 hours to reach the River. It was really hot by now and the river was a refreshing break.
Re-energised by the cool water we had plans to make quick work of the next 8 km to Megalong Road. But the heat and the flies made this section so much harder then expected.  We reached Megalong Road shattered and decided to call it a day.  So all up 27km in 8 hours.  We later learnt that the temperature got to mid 30s in the valley. Resting up listening to the sound of bellbirds and the cool breeze whistling through the trees as the evening approaches.