A bit of different trip - I lost a knife that has sentimental value to me on a hike in southern Namadgi on a trip in April and this trip is a recovery/search and rescue mission of sorts!
Owing to distance and good quality fire trails most of the way to the search area, the plan is to use bikes to traverse Old Boboyen Road to Luton's Crutching shed and continue on bikes along Sams Creek Firetrail to the junction with Maurice Luton Firetrail (about 10.5km one way). A few hundred meters north of here we will stash the bikes in the bush and continue on foot along the Sams Creek Firetrail. The firetrail varies from open and clear to incredibly overgrown to non-existent in some areas. Its about 4km to where the trail crosses Sams Creek - this is the area I will search for the lost knife. We can lunch by the creek, and then return via the same route - 4km walk and 10.5km on bikes. Total distance for the day is about 21km on bikes and about 8-9km on foot.
I estimate the ride in will be about 45 mins - 1 hour, the walk in could be up to two hours, up to two hours walk back out to the bikes and then another 45 - 1 hour ride back to the car. With an hour for lunch and rests this makes a circa 7 hour day.
To attend you will need your own bike (mountain bike or gravel bike), and be comfortable with some off track walking through scrub. I have space for two bikes on a rack on my car, and one more bike in the boot (max 3 participants unless someone else wants to drive in addition and can transport bikes).
Note also this trip is happening very close to the winter solstice - not much daylight! As such will be leaving early from Canberra (7am) to aim to start riding at 0830, and hope to be back at the car by 4pm approximately. That will see us back in Canberra before 6pm.
This is mostly a trip focused on my knife recovery - if you are looking for a relaxed day out in the mountains this is probably not the trip for you. Morning temps will be fresh/cold (probably 0-3 degrees where we start) so make sure you bring some warm clothes in addition to lunch, snacks and water (though we cross creeks 4-5 times so can regularly fill up). Gaiters suggested for the walking section - as some of it is scrubby.
If interested please email me advising:
- Confirm you have a bike, and type (mountain or gravel, touring etc)
- Advise if you can drive
- What suburb you live in to coordinate meeting point Sunday morning
- Advise prior walking experience including any off track walking
Final details will be organised via email - please check your email on Saturday if you have signed up. Note I will select participants based on experience given the nature of the trip.