Day 10 Ghost Gum Flat to Fringe Lily Creek Very windy and overcast skies. 14.5km 14.2 -17 degrees C. Very Hard in th eGorge and medium to Hugh Gorge. 140m down 170m up
The plan today was to get to Hugh Junction today but I felt good and looked up camping options which included Fringe Lily Creek as long as it had water.
Left at 8.20am and shortly came across my first trekker coming the other way a couple of kilometres into the walk this morning. I asked about the rope you need to use to put your rucksack on and the swim and all clarified. I came across a few more people at Hugh Gorge Shelter which I got into at 9.30am. Just about to leave after having a snack at the shelter I asked where they came from and they said at Juntion 4/5 and asked them about water at Fringe Lily. As they had not stayed there they werent sure but thought there was down the creek.
Up the gorge was fairly easy to start then at a narrow section I could see the rope coming down from a rock and the place where I needed to get the shoes off and crocs on and some clothes off. I struggled getting the pack on the end of the rope without it hitting the water. Back to the sandbar I put the carribiner around the should straps at the chest area. Still into the water so a few wrap arounds of the rope then click in worked just hovering above the water. Around the rock with a swim then pull up the rope with all my might, then shoes on and dry off before setting off. Another couple came along and I showed them the rope and asked about water at Fringe Lily again. As they got there at night they didnt see any but thought there might be. No help.
Lunch at the Hugh Junction, drone up then after lunch up the rocky creek and over the saddle then more rock walking along the creek to Fringe Lily Creek. At 3.00pm I found a really nice spot away from a tent already there on the actual Fringe Lily creek. Even though I had enough water I followed the creek down to find some water around 200m which I could filter into my drink bottles. Another few more metres was a good swimming spot but as it was getting a little cooler I decided not to on this occassion. This meant I could have plenty of cups of tea and drink as much water as possible.
From campsite I could see the track going up the hill. The walls of the gorge helped with protecting from the wind and I had some great rocks to hold the tent down and create a rock shelter around my gas stove.
Dinner at 5.00pm, In bed the usual time just before dark and asleep the usual time. The same routine was in place now.