A day in the rain - 20 February 2005
Party: Tom Gleeson. Pete Harvey, Bess, Tim, Dave, James Bevan
After all the rain on saturday night our planned trip to north bowens went out the window. Despite a few people pulling out, we still had a good group of 6. It was very wet on sunday and I thought we might have to spend the day at the movies or in a cafe. Pete thought it might be dry further west so we headed off for newnes plateau. Sure enough, soon after the zig zag turnoff the rain stopped. The road was in pretty good condition and we made good time to the glow worm tunnel. Having pulled the trip out of the seat of our pants we were rather lacking in light as we entered the tunnel.
Some of the group at the end of the glow worm tunnel
We slipped, stumbled & sloshed our way through by way of Tom's weak LED & the glow worms. Then we followed the track along the old railway line for a while, taking in the views of the wolgan valley.
The Wolgan Valley
Back at the tunnel, we checked out the rather smelly but spectacular Bells Grotto Canyon.
L-R: Bess, Tom, Dave and Tim in Bells Grotto
Pete and Tom in Bells Grotto
Pete and Tom
There was a fair bit of litter around, and not the usual stuff. Someone had left a trail of underpants hanging on tree branches! We used plastic bottles to carry the rubbish out.
Bess and Tom
Tom being Tom
During lunch the rain started. It was just drizzle really, on and off. After some abseiling practice we headed into the "dry" canyon (aka "lick my nipple canyon"!)....
This is how you abseil?
The rain picked up along the way and by the time we got to the end of the second section it was anything but a dry canyon. Waterfalls poured in at every minor crack and crevice. Tom, Bess & Tim certainly made hay and soon after Dave & Pete joined them in lapping at the waterfalls.
Tom, Pete, Tim & Bess
Lots of water
Tim and Bess taking a shower
Pete enjoys a cold shower
Tom, Dave, Tim, Bess & Pete
However after twenty minutes of downpour we thought it might be wise to exit. The canyon had filled up very quickly, with one point getting to waist deep.
Bess bridging her way out of the canyon
Canyon formation
Canyon formation
A very wet entrance
By the time we were out of the canyon the rain stopped. After a bit more abseiling we drove back and had a stop at Dargans Dam. It was a wee bit chilly outside but quite warm in the water. We all enjoyed the jump and then ran rather quickly back to the car for warm, dry clothes. As we were driving back along the bells line we were treated to a complete double rainbow. Very nice. Its funny how things sometimes turn out. It was a terrific day and strange though it may seem, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without the rain.
A nice end to a thoroughly enjoyable day
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Page last updated 19/12/2005
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