Day 12 Brinkley Bluff to Standley Chasm 10.0 km, 8.9 degrees to 14.4 degrees. Very Hard. 560m down 110m up
I awoke to the oitter patter of rain at 6.30am and tried to look up on BOM the rain map and to see if it was going to clear today. The radar was only good at 250km from the airport and I was over 120km so getting an accurate forecast was not possible. As I was packing up everything inside my tent I noticed the rain and gotten in through the floor of the tent with rain coming between the groundsheet and floor. Next time Ill have to make sure the groundsheet is elevated up a little at the edge so the rain goes under it to help prevent water getting in. The mattress was definately wet which has a seperate bag but not a waterproof one but by the time I roll it up its ok to still put inside my backpack.
Once outside I quickly pack up the tent as it was full cloud of fog and slight misty rain. Plus it was freezing especially with the cold rain. I still put on shorts and long sleeve but add a thermal short sleeve under neath, a beanie and the rain jacket. I need my rain pants today for sure. I find them in my cupboard when I get home after the trip on a coat hanger.
My 3 other campers are still in bed but Im sure awake. No breakfast this morning but pack some bars to eat along the way. There is a long ridge walk most of the way with cloud wither side and only 20metres of vision in front. Occassionally I put my wet hands in my pocket to warm them up.
Once lower the mist lifts and so does the temperature and the jacket and beanie eventually come off. A large group of walkers come my way and I follow two who look like they have turned back. Its an easy trail work now probably because its on the tour section and I come to the creek and road section to a short stroll into Standley Chasm.
Straight away I order a pot of English Breakfast tea and a salad for lunch. I change into warmer clothes and another pot of tea. As I am enjoying my lunch a lady from Sydney named Jos quizzes me on the trail ahead especially the Hugh Gorge rope section.
Most of the afternoon is relaxing either at the cafe or getting my electrical charged in the kitchen and sorting out my food. The tent is set up to dry off along with the other wet clothes but unfortunately the tent never dries with the occassional rain coming through.
A gluten free cake just before 4.00pm and Jos and another girl orders burger and chips (no chips left just wedges). While the shop offically closes at 5.00pm the kitchen closes at 4.00pm.
The kitchen has some spare food and other items and I have some cheese and salami on rice cakes for afternoon lunch and the rest is chatting away with Jos. The kitchen is not locked and it has a kettle and 2 showers. There is a couple of shelters with a bbq hotplate and table on the grass and thats where we take over.
Despite setting up my tent on the grass the furtherst away from the kitchen and toilets someone at night sets up 2 metres from me. Luckily they went to bed straight away and were quiet in the morning.
All my food is packed up in the food container on the BBQ rahter than bringing it into my tent. All good in the morning.