Tennent scar rock art
Wednesday 21 June: Medium-Hard Wednesday Walk Scar on Mt Tennent – M/R; H(12). Leader: Peter D. We walk from the Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre, cross the road and head to the bottom of the creek that is the ‘scar’ on Mt Tennent. We then walk up the creek bed to the top and angle over to the fire tower. This is very steep in parts, with the final 450m of climb occurring in less than 1 km on the map. There are loose and slippery surfaces here and we may have to get out of the creek bed and into the scratchy scrub if the surface is wet or if you suffer from vertigo. Return will be via the fire trail and usual track down the mountain. Total distance about 11 km. Total climb over 800 metres. The walk is graded Hard (12 on the BBC scale), due to the combination of the terrain and the amount of climb. Long pants, gaiters and gloves are recommended. Forecast for Canberra: -3 to 15C, very light winds and no rain. Map: Williamsdale.
Further Information
I have done the Tennent scar 3½ times, on 1 May 12, 19 May 12, 24 May 16 and 10 Oct 16. Most have been down. It’s certainly easier to negotiate going up.
Summary
Distance: 10.9km | Climb: 800m | Time: 9.00am – 3.15pm (6hrs 15mins), including 55 mins of breaks | Grading: M/R; H(12)
Photographs
Photographs are available, where you can start a large sized slideshow. They are worth a look at if you’ve never been on the scar.
Video
Waypoint and Track Files
Download the .gpx file. (Right click, Save Link As…, Save – if you want to use it.)
To use in Google Earth, do File, Open… and select Gps or All files as the File Type.
Track Notes
I haven’t been able to Tuesday walk for a bit and the medium-hard Wednesday walks, run by three of the Canberra bushwalking clubs (BBC, NPA ACT and CBC), are providing a worthy substitute. This short walk, on the shortest day of the year, was no exception. When Peter D says we’ll walk up the scar, we did – with very little deviation.
Some town fog cleared to a beautiful day on the drive to the Namadgi Visitors Centre. Perfect early winter walking weather – blue sky, no breeze on the NE flank of the hill. Huffing and puffing up, we were soon minus several layers.
A couple of what could only be described as rock art structures (not cairns, unnecessary anyway) in places, akin to the constructions on the CCT between Hall and Forde.
Peter got a rope out at one point; four of us took a bit longer going another way at the waypoint ‘S side of scar’. I often head off into the bush on the other side of this wall, so must remember for next time.
No respite at the top of the scar, as the gradient actually increases as one puffs up the last 100 vertical metres over 200m across the ground (work that gradient out). After a brief pause, we gained the Mt Tennent Fire Trail, on this occasion a rather pleasant sight.
A short walk to the top for lunch under the fire tower. Always great views. Met Richard M up there.
A pleasant stroll down the track from the top. Near the Cypress Pine Lookout, Barrie R took us on a short excursion down the creek line to a nice little granite drop.
Great climb, great day, great company, great leader.
Track Map
Party
8 walkers.