Megalong Return

View from the top of Carlons Head towards the Black Range


I spent Mon to Fri working intensively at North Head STP from 5am to late. So I had to pass on running. Fortunately I was able to get away Friday evening for a return trip to Carlons Farm at Megalong Valley with Neil Kate, Geoff, Michele and Serena. The forecast for Sydney was for over 40 deg so I hoped the Mountains would be a bit cooler. In the morning I was very tired and we hung around the campsite while the girls danced and Geoffrey threw his boomerang. Then after poking around Blackheath antique stores in the morning, Michele dropped me off at the Explorer's Tree at 1pm for what proved to be an epic adventure.



View to the Campground from Carlons Head - 450m below



It was hot, over 31 degrees but humidity only 73% and a fresh westerly wind. I ran down Nellies Glen to the Megalong road and turned left to Carlons Farm. I plodded along feeling quite comfortable, but I was careful to keep sipping water. I arrived at Carlons Farm just as Michele and Serena turned up in the car. Serena had stubbed her toe, so I carried on up to Bellbird Point which had incredible views of the Cox's river and Breakfast Creek. then on a whim I ran up to the Medlow Gap road and looked for the Carlons Head track. I couldn't find a track so I bush bashed straight up the hill until I came to the cliffs...I really should have told Michele about this beforehand, but I couldn't resist...I scaled the cliff using the chains and hand holds...it was a bit exposed and the wind was gusting over 20knots straight at the cliff... but the climb wasn't hard and the next thing I know I was on top. That was a change in elevation of 450 metres in 2k or a gradient of 25% overall. So I called Michele from the top, and we arranged to meet in Katoomba at the Golden stairs. I ran along Narrowneck at a steady pace enjoying the most wonderful views in the afternoon sun. It was hot, and I had run out of water but the exhilaration of being on top kept me going. It was about 32k all up with some very big hills.
View back to campground from Bellbird Point

Afterwards we had a delicious Indian meal at the Arjuna restaurant in Katoomba before returning to our collapsed tents at Carlons farm. (the wind had blown the over)
I was up at 6am on Sunday to a beautiful cool morning with light drizzle and moderate southerly wind. The tent was surrounded by kangaroos, some with joeys and two big males who were duking it out on their hind legs. This time I ran up to the Medlow Gap road and then 9k round to Taro's Ladder. The climb was taxing and it was hard to keep running afterwards, but I eventually perked up and ran to the coffee shop near the Katoomba oval. All up 25k with a 340m change in elevation overall.
Michele and Serena met me at the coffee shop, and after breakfast we had a great visit to the Scenic Railway. They really have done a great job with the boardwalk through the rainforest. It was interesting to see the use of lightweight galvanised channels to make the supports.
In the afternoon we had a disappointing meal at the Alexandra pub at Leura (that place has gone downhill quickly), dropped in at the Castros and got home about 6.
Next morning was Australia Day and I dragged myself out to run the Clovelly Star in reverse. I plodded along in ideal conditions to cover the 32k (with my extra bits) in 3 hours, Fairly slow but the hills of the previous days were holding me.