free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Less than 8 weeks after yet another leg operation I find myself staring at a beautiful mountain, unfortunately staring at it was about as close as I would get this day. I was pleased to be out and about even if it was just 'strengthening' in preparation for the next leg op. I stuck to the lower levels and followed a dry river bed as far as I dare before turning back, just pleased to have been out at all.
I parked by the roadside soon after entering the park and headed off into the woodland on a well worn pathway.
After a short time passing through some quite dense rainforest I saw a clearing in the trees and the dry river bed beyond
As I stepped out into the space it opened up where melt water had cascaded down clearing all in its way and I turned left and headed upstream.
The river bed was strewn with carcasses of long dead trees, hammered by nature and laid to rest in the rocks, this one made a nice foreground filler for my first shot of that pristine mountain.
Further up I was interested to see the park approach to bridging the flow of water using 'disposable bridges' made of a single pine cut on 2 sides with the addition of a rustic handrail.
Crossing the makeshift bridge I took the path to the right and into the trees on the opposite side intending to make a loop, the path appeared to be heading the way I wanted so I followed it. I soon came upon another stream and another 'pine bridge'.
After less than an hour walking downstream the water had slowed, narrowed and turned into ........ something, but at least, looking downstream, I could see the hills adjacent to where I had started away in the distance.
A last look upstream at the mountain before heading back to the car.
I drove around the park limping around a number of waterfalls and viewpoints before heading out.
Having now finished with leg operations (all being well
) I am desperately trying to get back to a point where willpower and energy dictate my distance rather than pain and concern about potential repercussions of continuing.
Finding this forum has really helped me picture a return to 'normal' - reading through so many walks and seeing some stunning photos really does provide an impetus to keep going. It has been almost 4 years on and off with my right leg issues after a nasty accident as a pedestrian in London and I was actually starting to lose faith, but the forum, the pics and the banter have really got me right back at it.
So, my thanks to all who contribute, in just a couple of days you have really provided the lift I desperately needed, hopefully I will be able to post more meaningful walks within the next few months, until then it will be the short USA wanderings and any I can manage locally that are less than 6/7 miles and less than 1000 metres elevation.
That is the reason I look so pleased with myself in my avatar pic, at the top of Clachnaben - (the first time I had walked past 1000 feet in almost 4 years)...it felt like a huge victory.
Thanks again, Chris
