This walk was organised by Mac K and led by Max S as an FBI walk:

Sat 21 Jun - Rock Flat – 22 km Hard (13) Leader: Mac K. From the Orroral Tracking Station, we follow the Cotter Hut Road and the Australian Alps Walking track to Cotter Gap, where we turn due south and follow the contour for about 2 km to Rock Flat. The return is east along the obvious ridge line via spot heights 1391, 1426 and 1466, from where we descend to the Granite Tops Walking Track and thence to the cars. An unusual flat, well worth seeing, with some hard going through the bush. Height gain 600m. Cars: 90km ($9). Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Corin Dam. Meet at K at 8.00am***

5 of us met. We were just about to drive off when Mac was called to a family emergency. Max graciously agreed to lead us. We drove to Orroral Valley Tracking Station car park.

Civil twilight: 0644-1727

Walk

This was pretty much a repeat of the walk on 13 Nov 07, in terms of the route taken and also the time. But nice, rugged country in the middle and the opportunity to have a little run along the AAWT.

We sorted ourselves out and started walking in the crisp morning air. As usual, the high rims of the Orroral Valley were spectacular, including the Orroral Tor, the block of The Belfry and, in the direction we were heading, Orroral Rocks. A stop to shed a few layers and we were soon around the corner in the Granite Tops Walking Track and up to our jump off point, just prior to where the W feeder of James Creek comes in. Lovely to cross the tinkling flow, after a little rain on Thursday.

A generally W-ish route, initially open then running into a bit of regrowth. Across the top of Prairie Dog Creek, then to SH1466 with the cairn, tin and 1990s Outward Bound papers. Max allowed us a 2 minute break.

Then a little S towards the drainage line Mac was thinking of using as a guide, but the going turned a little nasty - plenty of granite and regrowth. A turn to the SW to near SH1426. A wedge-tailed eagle soared effortlessly overhead, riding the up draughts on the side of RV Ck. A slow plunge down to Rendezvous Creek. Madeleine and I held a falling over competition - a little slippery as the sun had not yet reached this slope. A plug up the SW side of Rendezvous Creek. Max allowed us a 5 minute break - I think that was morning tea. However, he did select a lovely granite shelf with views to the Orroral Ridge and Mt Orroral (see pic 1). As you can see, good reader, a lovely blue sky day, chilly when stopped but perfect walking weather. On up to the top, through a little tight bush and out onto Rock Flats (see pic 2). A little water running as we turned to the N and found a pile of rocks to give us a little shelter for lunch.

After lunch we headed N-ish, then contoured E above the creek to near where it joins the top end of Rendezvous Creek. N again to cross it, up past the spot where we had lunch on 12 Feb 08, then to the saddle between the top of Rendezvous Creek and Pond Creek. From here to Cotter Gap and meet the AAWT.

Max allowed Madeleine and I to have a little run, with a meet at Sawpit Creek and at the junction with Cotter Hut Road. Based on some reference material, we found an aboriginal rock shelter site. The picture (pic 3) is the same as in the 30 year old reference material.

We cut the corner of the Cotter Hut Road, leaving it by a large tree around 400m past the weather station. A clearly defined footpad for most of the way, except for at the bottom, which would make it a bit hard to find for the upward direction.

Left onto the Link Track, then down the grass to the car. Unfortunately, the party moved too quickly to finish by torchlight.

Timings
 

Thanks Max for a huge effort to lead us on the spur of the moment and to Madeleine and Trevor for great company. A good walk on the shortest day of the year.

Distance: 18.8km  Climb: 900m.  Time: 8.55am - 4.55pm (8hrs), with 35mins of stops.
Grading: L/R; H(13)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Rock Flats