I arrived at the car park for the Mt Sunday / Mt Riley loop after a pleasant drive through forestry roads.
My objective was to reach the summit of Mt Riley, which stands at 1,311 meters.
For some reason, I couldn’t pinpoint why, I felt quite exhausted as I began my hike from the car. It could have been due to inadequate fueling, the lingering effects of the previous day, or some other unknown factor.
Despite not being in the best state of mind, I focused solely on reaching the peak. I deliberately avoided checking the time or using the GPS. If I hadn’t reached my intended destination, it would have been a major disappointment.
The scenery and vegetation along the way were breathtaking, but my approach was primarily focused on putting one foot in front of the other. As I got closer to the top, the terrain changed, and I had to navigate around several significant cliff bands. The presence of these cliffs surprised me, as they were scattered throughout the forest rather than perched high above the valley or in the open. They were massive rock formations hidden amidst the trees.
Upon reaching the final few rock chutes, I noticed that the wind had intensified. Feeling mentally and physically drained, I didn’t spend much time at the summit.
I swiftly descended and found a comfortable spot beneath a cliff to take a break. It was time to replenish my energy and recover before heading back down. I had made good time, reaching the summit in just two hours. However, I acknowledged that I might need to use my head torch for the last leg of the journey to the car.
The descent was enjoyable. Food and water had sustained me well, and I was treated to a magnificent sunset and a prominent moon on the horizon.
As anticipated, as I descended further into the valley, the vegetation became denser and the light began to fade, necessitating the use of my head torch.
Unfortunately, as soon as I switched it on, the light went out. I attempted to troubleshoot and fix it, but I soon realized it would be more efficient to continue walking with the limited available light than to waste time trying to repair it.
Thus, under less than ideal lighting conditions, I made my way back to the car.
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of returning to your vehicle after a long day on your feet!
#45 Mt Riley – 10.82km, 1,281m, 4 hours
Time to put my feet up, refuel, stretch and prepare for another adventure tomorrow!
Till then, sleep time.
Cam