Ten Batemans Bay bushwalkers and a visitor took on the challenge of a hike in overgrown country at Carters Creek in the Currowan State Forest, 12 kilometres along Western Distributor Road. The first part of the walk was along a dense logging track to Shifting Plot Creek, the group climbing steadily through recently burned out areas until reaching Wallaby Road.
Welcome to our patch: Bruce, visiting from a Sydney bushwalking club joins local member, Bob Thurbon in negotiating slippery rocks in the creek bed.
Some hikers were hoping forlornly that the last of the uphill walking was behind them but, the walks leader pressed cheerfully on until the full 200m climb had been achieved. There was the usual encouragement of the group, to ascend the last big hill before the next one, providing the group with a valuable lesson on the confidence a hiker needs place in the enthusiasm of a walk leader.
After a welcome rest at the top, the group started down towards Carters Creek with a couple of walkers tumbling part of the way due to lots of debris on an already overgrown track. Walkers finally reached the beauty of the creek and followed its course for a while before making their way back to the welcome sight of their cars.
For more information go to www.baybushwalkers.org.au.