Jatbula Track NT

[elambers]

welll.. i had a quasi-essay drafted philm, and then I fell asleep on the couch in a puddle of my own drool whilst photos were uploading to picasa...and I lost the draft trip report! So here goes with a 'short' version!

Getting there ex Darwin airport; hitched there and back which actually worked quite well. I was polite enough to save a set of clean clothes for the drive back!

4-ish days, end of April;
Day 1: Katherine Gorge to Crystal Falls (not much potable water between Biddlecomb and Crystal)
Day 2: Crystal Falls to 17 Mile Falls
Day 3: 17 Mile Falls to Sandy Camp Pool
Day 4: Sandy Camp Pool to Sweetwater Pool
Day 5: Sweetwater Pool to Edith Falls via Top Pool

The hike itself is quite boring, but was made exciting by the fact the track was on fire in some spots! Nothing like a victorian bushfire, but hey who's concerned about size; a fire is a fire!? Campsites at the end of each day are stellar, and great to wind down.

At the ampitheatre be sure to explore the entire theatre, not just the wall that has signs etc. There is art all over the place!

ITS HOT. get the walking done early. I'd even suggest camping on the northern side of Katherine gorge the night before to do away being restricted by the 0900 ferry across. Get off track before 11am (for those who can't handle heat / don't want to walk slow....).

Was a great chance to have some 'me' time (as I couldn't convince any mates to fly up with me) and there were also 7 other friendly people on the tail as well.

Only saw a few snakes. Some fresh buffalo turds but no beast. Green ants and midgies are everywhere. Looked like my feet had the chlap.

Some piccies for those interested:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1063068274 ... 9077906433

[Lizzy]

Not sure if it's just me but my iPad says link not available for those photos

[philm]

Great thanks for the shortened trip report. Agree with the benefits of walking early then relaxing in the afternoons - plenty of swimming.
We were there in June but did not see any snakes.

Between the camps there is limited water and yes the highlights are the camps themselves. Crystal falls is my favourite location.

Looks like you did 2 days walk the first day - so about 20 km? Then yes an early start and camping on the Northern bank at Katherine would be better, otherwise Day 1 is easy.

There is plenty of down time and as one of my friends said the walk is more of a dawdle!

The link to the photo's doesn't work so repost when you have had a look.

[elambers]

Should work now

https://picasaweb.google.com/1063068274 ... directlink

Yep day 1 skipped Biddlecomb cascades. I only had a week off work and wanted to make the most of it, and the only double day that I was happy to skip was Biddlecomb. Also, didn't bring a sleeping bag. Sort of regret this...relied on a silk liner and thermals instead. I got chilly in a winter tent with a good inflatable mattress....

I think the next hike I want to do is somewhere in the western arthur's traverse in Tassie or somehow incorporate Frenchmans Cap ... Any takers!?

[philm]

Some good pictures. There was a lot more water at 17 mile falls than when we where there in early July
At the time there was only a trickle over the falls
Someone we were traveling with had goggles and went down the bottom of the falls for a swim saw some turtles!

You were game not having a sleeping bag! We only took a light one but used it at night but did not take a tend just used fly nets

I'm looking at doing either the western Arthur's or south coast track with my daughter next January. I am a fit 50 year old so not sure if you would care who you went with but my daughter is 20!

[elambers]

philm, photos required upon application

Arthurs looks much more interesting that south coast track, i've walked a day into the south coast track and it is quite wild but arthurs looks out of this world!

South coast; whole thing or to melaleuca?

[philm]

Yes the WA's look good but you had better be fit

If we do the SCT we will fly into melaleuca then walk back
I don't think it's a walk in the park but the WA is a step up

I'll ignore the comment on photo,s as she has a boyfriend! A tough one!

[north-north-west]

South Coast Track is a few steps up from the Jatbula. Western Arthurs is a few steps up from that. There is no better walk in Australia, but it's hard work. And worth every bit of it.

[philm]

Yes Jatbula Was easy so it was more about the scenery and water
I like the cold in Tassie best and yes the WA's is more temping
I've walked a fair bit in Tassie mainly in the Walls and central reserve
Love the place and the best walk so far has been from Lake St Clair to the Walls via the Traveller range
Lake Artemis was my favorite camp
I just need to convince a few others to come with me!

[philm]

Yes Jatbula Was easy so it was more about the scenery and water
I like the cold in Tassie best and yes the WA's is more temping
I've walked a fair bit in Tassie mainly in the Walls and central reserve
Love the place and the best walk so far has been from Lake St Clair to the Walls via the Traveller range
Lake Artemis was my favorite camp
I just need to convince a few others to come with me!