Mt Duppa - Organiser: Gretchen Williams
Party: Gavin Holmwood, Leslie Spedding, Grahame Harris, Alison Nicoll, Holly Paine (aged 10), David Nielsen, Jeannie Kuhajek, Bob Janssen, Gillian and Hec Arbuthnott, Royden Smith, Rosemary McCallum, Gretchen Williams.
We rendezvoused successfully with Rosemary (from Canvastown) at the turn off from the main road and were amazed at the number of vehicles already parked at the start of the track. There was a biting southerly but we soon warmed up with the immediate and constant ascent. Numerous breathers allowed us to botanise, admire the rock formations and get to know each other.
At the top, trees on the southern side were still white with frost so we had lunch in the sun admiring the wonderful views to the north (and conversing with the numerous families who were also up there).
The last time I did this tramp Tony turned it in to a round trip by heading south through the bush along the ridge and then down another ridge and coming out just up the road from the car park. We took a vote and decided to do the same today. It's funny how memories differ and I suppose we took a marginally different route from before, but this day the bush seemed thicker, the bush lawyer seemed clingier and the bush bash seemed longer. Holly was convinced (or hopeful, I'm not sure which) we were lost and Bob did a great job navigating and coming out exactly where we were supposed to be. Thanks to Bob and to everyone else for sharing in the wee adventure.