The Heysen Trail section hike NOBO 2022 - Part 2

It is now more than 3 years since I jumped off the Heysen Trail and went back home to Victoria. While editing the photos recently, I was reminded of the time on trail. (If you haven’t done so already you might want to have a look at part 1 of this story…. here is the link.)

After leaving Victor Harbor and the coastline I was wondering what to expect next as I turned northward and headed inland. Over the previous few days I had experienced the landscape along the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula and loved it - would I enjoy the next section too?

Here are some snippets of my memories of the following days on the trail...

Bright sunshine on the first day out of VH.

A rodent at Robinson Hill campsite annoying me during the night.

A lovely sunny few hours resting at Rocky Creek hut in the late afternoon.

The blustery, icy cold morning climbing up to Mt Lofty in the Adelaide Hills, following a night at the Woodhouse Activity Centre. 

 

After reaching Norton Summit, I left the trail for a double zero with friends D&A in Adelaide… was fed like a king, had cuddles with Olive the dog and it was fun just hanging out watching the bonsais grow ;)

Going back to the Adelaide Hills after a couple of relaxing days off trail came as a bit of shock, but the weather was dry again and the sun was shining. 

Cruising through the landscape.

I remember the approach hike to Mt Cone Water tank through cattle country. The 20-minute snooze just next to the tank, not to be forgotten. Sitting down in the sun and applying Leukotape to some hot spots on my feet.

At Scotts Shelter, the soft ground thanks to a bed of pine needles between the trees provided a comfortable sleeping spot. The long drop with a view in the morning (although this visit had to be rushed as it was cold and blowy!).

A cold and foggy morning when I woke up at Rossiters Hut.

I walked into Tunanda for a really good coffee and second breakfast. I actually had multiple coffees and too much to eat. A couple of days later, I stayed at Kapunda caravan park for two nights, where I re-supplied etc. 

Moving on I felt well rested, and stopped for a lunch break at Marshalls Hut, then went on to Marrabel. 

Next morning at Marrabel I woke up and just didn’t 'feel it’ anymore. I had breakfast, broke up camp and packed everything up as I had done each day for the last 3 or so weeks. I headed out along the trail, a dirt road, in dense fog. When I passed the 400km marker I stopped... I had had enough. I knew I shouldn't quit on a bad day, but I did! It had been a ‘mixed bag' morning for some reason, I'm still not sure exactly why I felt like I did. I decided to walk back to Marrabel, then hitch-hiked back to Kapunda, and D picked me up the next day. Thank you, D!

For me there are three factors that play an important role in how I feel on trail and whether I’m having a good experience: the trail itself and the surrounding landscape, the people I meet, and the weather. I hadn’t enjoyed the trail that much over those last few days. It had been raining and the forecast was more than miserable, with extreme weather to come. I had only met a few people over the last weeks. The stars just didn’t align and I didn’t feel like 'embracing the suck’. I considered the choices, and decided to bail out.

I have enjoyed looking back to my time on the Heysen trail - overall it was a good experience. Many thanks to the Heysen Trail volunteers, the landowners, the locals in the towns and the hikers I met.

Thanks for reading and happy trails.

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *