Ti Willa Plateau ~ 16-17 April 2005
On Saturday morning I woke up to late morning mist in the mountains. Abandoning my plan to head to the Gingra Range via Pages Pinnacle left me with an easy day's walking. I left home at 12 and by 2 was away from the kanangra walls carpark. I couldn't even see the walls through the mist on my way down to the murdering gully turnoff and the view from pioneers prospect was non-existent. However, as I approached first top the fog cleared to reveal the gingra valley and the kilpatrick causeway.
Cloud rolls in over the Colboyd Range
The Gingra track provided pleasant leisurely walking. I stopped a few times for photos of fungi.
Fungi
However, I probably stopped a bit too much as by the time I approached fifth top darkness had fallen. By torchlight I desended the trail, arriving at the gingra/kowmung junction at 7. A relaxing night by the fire was just what the doctor ordered.
Next morning it was misty again. Not really wanting to cross Ti Willa Plateau in such conditions, I tried several times to talk myself into going back the way I had come. By 10, however, the mist cleared to reveal blue skies, so I walked up Gingra Creek and climbed Ti Willa Buttress.
Reaching Campagnoni Pass after only 1.5 hrs I was surprised at my pace. Usually I take everything but the kitchen sink and end up with around 20kg. This time I had carried just what I needed in a much lighter 45L pack. Its amazing what a difference it makes.
Campagnoni Pass
Blue Breaks from Ti Willa Plateau
Climbing the pass afforded views south over the Kowmung to the blue breaks. On the spur up to Ti Willa Hill I passed three sets of cairns...another larger one marked the summit! Needless to say they aren't there any more. Following the plateau was easier than I expected. Open woodland provided pleasant walking. There were a few sections of scrub but nothing difficult. Making my way across to the northern side, I had views into Ti Willa Gorge and up to Mt Cloudmaker. After descending through a tight crevice I was excited to arrive at Hundred Men Cave for lunch.
Hundred men cave
The western entrance to the cave was marked by a metre high cairn! If people can't navigate without cairns they shouldn't be in the wilderness. I encountered a bit more scrub along the remainder of the plateau, but nothing too bad.
On the way up to cloudmaker there was a magnificent lookout which provided views south to the blue breaks as well as over the gangerang range to kanangra walls.
Looking south to Mt Colong from the spur leading to Mt Cloudmaker
The Gangerang Range and Kanangra Walls
The Gangerang Range and Kanangra Walls
Mt Colong to Mt Stormbreaker panorama
At 3 while signing the logbook I met another party heading to the walls from katoomba. Walking the gangerangs I had a chance to catch up on the photos I missed during the k to k a few weeks ago. Watching the sun set on the walls was quite a sight.
The Blue Breaks and Mt Jingery
A rainbow forms over the dam
After climbing smith's pass, the last of the sun's rays disappeared over the horizon. However, the moon was out and the stars shined brightly so I didn't even need to get out my torch.
Near pioneers prospect there was another large cairn marking the turnoff to maxwell tops....I hope whoever put it there is not relying on it next time.
I soon reached the carpark and thus concluded a enjoyable day and a half.
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Page last updated 04/01/2006
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