Midway at the apex.
The second day, we continued on from Coxs River Camp reascending the 1000m elevation up the mountain to reach Black Range Camp (18km). Steep steep hills which continued for miles sapped our strength and breath, leaving us praying that around each bend and hairpin turn would be the last hill. With luck on our side, a foggy rainy morning accompanied our climb instead of a baking hot sun. Pushing on and reaching the apex of the summit where we finally allowed ourselves to settle for lunch was a gratifying achievement. Making friends along the trail as we met at different checkpoints and chatted over our little stoves cooking away was fun. A boisterous extended family of eleven gathered around the campfire, livened the mood as we shared our chocolates, m&m's and marshmellows, and learnt new games together.
The last half day from Black Range Camp to Jenolan Caves House (10km) was smooth sailing and shorter compared the terrain of the two previous days. Waking early, we avoided the heat of the midday sun, walking briskly eager to finish and a hot pub lunch to cinch the deal. At times it was painful and tiring, but pushing ourselves to exhaustion and aching feet, blissful to merely sit and eat a hot can of soup was a indescribable experience. Reaching the end, before we even knew it, was amazing, well worth roughing it up for three days and almost twenty hours of walking.
Finished, at Jenolan Caves.
