Meet Leader: Evie Bowen
Hikers participating:
MCSA members: Cheryl & Greg Divine; Dave &Margi Barnes; Janet & Greg Moore: Erich and Margarite Brach; Wolf Schneider; Wendy Thompson; Elaine Smith; Ian Clarke; Geoff and Lorraine Ditchfield; Ann McGregor.
Visitor: Gill Forbes.
Grade: This hike was advertised as a Grade 2m – for the section from the Car Park to the old dry dock wreck, and a 2+M for the final section to reach the caves. Thanks to the creative ocean, tides and winds, much of the beach sand was missing, thereby exposing the underlying rocks. So the hike was upgraded to 2+M for the entire route – at no
additional charge!
At the Wreck our party divided into 2 groups – Group “C” to continue to the caves, while group “W” opted to return by the same route– Dave Barnes very kindly took charge of this group.
Hike distance: Full hiking distance was about 6/7 km. To complete the full hike (on this occasion) – it was the not distance that was important. A good body workout was achieved by all who took part in the full hike. There were countless ups and downs, and in and out movements, as we clambered over and along the rocks.
Access and permits: Public coastal land – no permits required
Trail Condition: Excellent. Wonderful section of Coast to hike. A “there and back” coastal walk. However Group C did follow a small additional variation taking a fisherman’s path up to a viewpoint and then a descent back to the coast rocks, before continuing to the site of the main caves.
Duration: We set off at 8.30am.
Group W – to Wreck and back – about 3 hours ++
Group C- about 4++ hours – arriving back at the car park at about 1.00pm.
Tides: This walk does need to be planned around low tide. Access to view the caves is only possible at low tide.
Here a cloudy start to the day – with the sun soon taking full control.
The full party below.
On this Sunday the water levels seemed very high. As we arrived at the first set of rocks, I decided I must have got the tides wrong. However, it soon became apparent that the sand I was used to along this section of beach had all but
disappeared. The last few months of high seas and storms must have swept all the sand out – the hike was very different to the last 2 occasions on which I had previously walked – in both Jan and May 2017.
View looking back to Glentana
The hike begins in earnest – scramble up and over – hands and sticky footwear were necessary.
Looking out of one of the caves –a short snack break – before returning.
This previously was a lovely beach with the chance of safe swimming in the waves. Today only a rock pool would have been an option. All in all, a bit of a chilly wind – thus no one was inclined to take a plunge.
And so on to our return – hands and feet back to work. Quite an adventure!
The old dry dock wreck – breaking up – very slowly as it has been here since 1902.
The end of the hike. And the beautifully decorated restaurant could not even provide a cold beer!!! What a blow.White wine had to make do!!
Thank you to all who supported this meet. It was a lovely day out – and the newly swept coastline – has I feel improved the overall challenge of the hike. Lots of fun. Thanks to Dave for helping with leadership skills, and Wolf for some of the pictures.
Evie Bowen – meet leader