Warrnambool BushWalkers

Grampians: Red Man Bluff 7-8/6

Walkers: Peter and Kerry T , Mabel M, Diane D, John B, Gordon E, John VG (leader). (A mixture of Geelong Bushwalking Club and Warrnambool Bushwalkers)

Photos:

Report:

“Red Man Bluff was more for billy goats”

After gathering at Jimmy Creek campsite we set out for our start at the beginning of the Mt. William Rd. The walking track marked doesn’t really exist. Not that it mattered. Following the Bovine Ck. was easy and quite picturesque especially later when the sides narrowed into more gorge like proportions. We headed up the sides shortly before the falls in order to cut across the 4wd track and avoided the very steep ground behind the falls. Just below the battlements we found some tracks but not the one we were looking for in this rough country. After contouring around the 7^th dial we headed west to a saddle and finally found the track and promptly crossed it to climb up the large and open rock slabs of the Red Man Bluff. The climb was steady and afforded great views of the Serra Range to the west. At perch rock we spied the local inhabitants which were a group of 15 to 18 goats on the nearby ridge. We certainly had walked over plenty of their droppings and it seemed that they we were now doing well post fire. Further climbing onto the ridge put us at Red Man Bluff at 1017m and 700m above the valley. A good camp within a stones throw of the summit was made. It proved to be quite sheltered from the wind which roared up the bluff all night. This cold damp wind had us in bed early.

Sunday 8^th June

Spectacular views from our camp in the morning. Going to bed so early meant that getting up before dawn was necessary. Staying in a tent for 10.5 hours is not one of my strong points. The rewards were great views over the valley with your morning cuppa. This area had been burnt and the stiff, blacken branches were all that remained in most areas which resulted in very black hands, faces and gear. This burnt area stopped just short of Middle Gap where pushed through the final bit of untouched scrub and dropped down to the Mt William Road and the end.

John VG

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