At 7.15 a.m. on a very warm morning, 25 of us met at the car park ready to board Bob Mitchell’s comfortable bus to go on our much awaited trip for the tramp across the Knobby Range. From a hiker’s point of view, along with the challenge of a somewhat longer tramp, was the slight trepidation of being up to the test. However, due to George’s enthusiasm and encouragement we had decided to give it a go as the opportunity and ability might never come again. So we boarded the bus and were away just after 7.30 a.m. Bob dropped us off at the top of the Knobby Range at 10.00 a.m. ready and eager to get going.
A very hot day was tempered by a warm but welcome breeze which did help to keep it relatively pleasant temperature-wise. We stopped for our morning tea break
after only about a ½hr walk so that we could be well on the way along the track before lunch. We unfortunately started off on the wrong ridge after our break but with the help of Ria’s and Bruce’s maps we got back on the right track and were definitely on our way. It was a bit regrettable that we lost about an hour rectifying the error. The surrounding terrain with its incredible rock formations and the magnificent views were just magic.
Although there was a slight haze, we had to stop frequently to take photos,
in spite of knowing we had a long way to walk, as this would probably be the only chance some of us would ever have to do this tramp and we knew the memories the records would invoke would be very precious.
It was with a great sense of satisfaction and achievement that the last of us got back to the welcome sight of Bob’s bus, waiting at the end of the trail, about 5.45 pm. Most of the trampers were back considerably earlier than this and some had walked on further to the Shakey Bridge Café to enjoy a rest and a very welcome cold drink. However Bob took the rest of us down in the bus to join them in a much needed refresher. Then it was on the road and back to Mosgiel, which we reached about 9 p.m. after a brief stop near Roxburgh for fruit, and again in Roxburgh for icecreams, drinks or something to eat. What a feeling of a accomplishment we had, knowing we had successfully managed to do what would probably be one of our most demanding tramps, especially for the hikers. – Bev