The Fitzroy Waterfalls, Morton National Park, NSW, Australia

Well this was a great little walk that we decided to do after a bit of rain!! We were staying in the Kangaroo Valley at a camp/caravan site for 3 nights and it had rained for a continuous 36hours so the falls should be OK, we thought. So on Tuesday March 8th 2012 we decided to go to the Famous Fitzroy Waterfalls
The day we went was a dry start, warm but cloudy. Will it stay that way??hhhmmmmmm  We got parked up, had a look round the excellent visitor centre and then set off on one of the trails along the boardwalk
 

 we soon found out that this would be quite impressive and maybe a little shorter than planned as we came to the first hurdle of a fallen tree across the path
 

 and then a closed trail due to the danger of being washed away
 

 We carried on down the main boardwalk that took us through the damp rain forest
 

 and eventually bought us out at the viewing platform above the main Fitzroy waterfall
 

 

 

 It was certainly powerfull and the noise was tremendous. It didn't need to rain as the spray certainly gave us a soaking. We decided that we'd go on all the trails to get a good feel for the place as we had plenty of time on our hands so off we went to the Jersey lookout
 

 This gave us a great view back to the falls
 

 

 

 and one that looked straight down the valley
 

 by which time what we thought was mist was rolling in
 

 We carried on toward the Twin Falls and by this time we were on proper walking tracks as the mist turned to drizzle and the tracks turned to streams, again
 

 The views down to the valley floor were still there though, just
 

 and back to the main falls
 

 The twin falls were just as spectacular, loud and wet
 

 

 

 We found out that we couldn't go any further as the rain had flooded the bridge
 

 and the track that lay behind!!
 

 By this time it was getting quite wet so we had to turn back and head for the safety of the bridge which was getting a drenching from below
 

 

 and above
 

 After a change of clothes, again, and a brew,
 

 we got talking to the ranger and he told us he'd not seen the falls like this for quite a long time and that the paths had not been closed for as long as he can remember!! It did make the falls very spectacular though and worth the rain just to experience the sheer power of the water. As well as us getting wet, our cameras got a bit wet and jill's packed in but thankfully mine was OK
 It did rain quite a bit and we were sat in the van when we got back to camp watching the paths turn to rivers. Eventually it did stop and it's amazing how fast the paths clear up. The rain did provide a bit of water in the other waterfalls surrounding the valley and you could see one or two tumbling down in the distance
 

 

 That night we were treated to a fantastic full moon and the day after was the most perfect day for the 3 trails walk
 

 Here's a video I took showing just how spectacular the falls are

   Another fantastic day on a fantastic tour

 Cheers
 Andy

Australia Videos

The Three Trails Walk 9-3-2012

The Fitzroy Waterfalls 8-3-2012

 

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Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains NSW 26-12-2009

Mount Warning Part 1 NSW 19-12-2009

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Road Trip To Camp Willis NSW 9-2-12

Helvellyn, White Side & Raise via Striding Edge

Friday 30th March saw me up in the Eastern Fells on a very warm and pleasent spring day. I have been on Striding Edge twice before in fair weather but with quite a breeze blowing from left to right that makes it a bit tricky at times to stay right on the spine. This day however was to be different. With virtually no wind and with clear blue skies although a bit hazy, conditions were as near to perfect as could be. I set off from the car park at Glenriding about 12.30pm and was soon on the steady path nd looking back to Ullswater

I took the path that takes you past the old mines and follows Mires beck through the valley as the shapely mound of Catstye Cam soon takes up the limelight

The easy to follow path leads you upwards around the base of Catstye Cam but it was a bit hard going this stretch as there was no wind to keep the heat of the sun away so a few rest stops were gratefully recieved.

Helvellyn soon comes into view, complete with the last of the winters snow, or not!!

I made my way to the hole in the wall and the views down the valley towards Patterdale & Ullswater

After another rest stop I made my way up the banking as close to the edge as possible as I wanted to take full advantage of the conditions and take in as much of the spine that I could. I really wanted to appreciate the full length of Striding Edge and the added bonus of having it vertually all to myself. In all, from one end to the other I must of seen about 8 other people taking on this classic Ridge

A look back along the edge see's another lone walker enjoying the conditions

  with another two making there way down from a very quiet Helvellyn Summit

A quick chat as we pass and I was soon on the last of the rocky scramble before making my way up along the final steep secton that brings you out at the memorial stone

Looking back down from the memorial stone along the edge with Red Tarn below and Ullswater in the distance.

 As I topped out there was a noticeable difference in temperature and there was quite a stiff breeze blowing with quite a bite to it. Jacket, hat & gloves went on as it was quite fresh compared to the summer like conditions I had below. That's the mountains for you!
I made my way along the very quiet path to the wind shelter for a bite to eat and to take in the views of the surrounding fells and valleys before making my way along the top to the summit of White Side.

 

This was a pleasent walk along the clear path and views all around, although vey hazy and quite misty towards the North & Western Fells, Although the wind had died down a bit there was still a chill in the air as I made my way on to White Side

On getting to the summit of White Side there was a geat view of Hellvelyn's other classic ridge, Swirrl Edge, that takes you up onto the summit of Catstye Cam, with Striding Edge in the background

It was then another gentle walk along the distinct path up to Raise that offered great views back down to Ullswater

All that remained was to make my way down a route that bought me almost ontop of the old mine workings that I passed earlier on my ascent, with views along the valley that shows my ascent path from Ulswater and up behind Catstye Cam

I got back to the car park 6 hours after I left so a good day in the Fells. I had a rest next to Ullswater, just as the sun was going down, which was the perfect end to a perfect day.