bushwalking

It's been too long since I've had some outdoor goodness thanks to more back surgery. So it's time get out and take my 6 yo on an overnight hike. He's done a fair bit of car camping but just one bushwalking trip with only 15 minute walk, but this time it's different. It's about a real hike, albeit an easy one. It's a chance to do some real walking and scrambling and stay out under the stars bushwalking style. There'll be no soft comforts like big tents with camp kitchens or camping trailers here (so of course Dion won't be coming).

We've got some friend's kids (8 and 11) coming along (and their mum) which will help with the motivation along the walk when Daniel gets tired plus they'll provide a fun atmosphere all around - share the bushwalking love I say (read as "convert those smelly dirt bike riding kids to real bush adventure").

I've selected a short and simple walk - Mt Solitary return via the Golden Staircase on Narrowneck plateau in the Blue Mountains. Here's my reasons:

1. I've done this trip many times with friends and newbies (it was even my first overnight bushwalk - done solo)
2. It's physically easy with a brief bit of fun scrambling up Mt Solitary (about 7km each way)
3. There are campsites along the way meaning if he gets too tired we can bail early
4. It's interesting with a bit of a climb, some caves and good views of the Jamison valley

Now off to find some gear and get us both sorted!

I just got back from a 3 day hike in the Budawangs including Byangee walls, the castle and monolith valley. On the the first day we left Yadboro camp ground and headed up the ridge to castle gap and on to climb Byangee mountain.

The big question we had was "can we traverse from castle gap on the Byangee mountain track to the Kaliana ridge track around the base of the castle?"

From a recent trip I thought that it should be possible so we headed off that way. Either others had done it or there was a good reason they hadn't! It turns out that there is a faint track that traverse right at the bottom of the cliff line. To find the track head west right next to the cliff where the ridge meets the castle's lower cliff line.