We depart early and head for Spy Rock which has a great view. We meet Doc who has completed the 1 mile climb up 800 ft from the Dutch House hostel. We ask him - how was it? He says - it is good for young hikers but he was not impressed. They were more concerned about making money out of 'slackpacking' hikers to hike back and stay another night with them, than looking after the paying customers in the B&B section of their business. Doc was staying in the B&B.
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| View from Spy Rock |
We have a steady climb to The Priest with great views, followed by a very long descent of over 3000'. It takes a toll on our feet and I start to develop sore spots on the left foot under toes.
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| View from The Priest |
Half way down the ridge, we find ourselves in a thunderstorm with lightening, and we get drenched. At the bottom some trail magic - an esky with beer, apples, water - which had been left by trail maintainers who were repairing the track.
We shelter under a small overhang of a visitor signboard and eat our lunch more or less dry. Two of the slackpackers from the Dutch House pass us by heading south - Scatters and Lift n Step. Lift n Step is from Australia and we knew we were a few days behind her as other people told us there was an Aussie up ahead. So it is great to meet her for the first time. She is a primary school teacher from South Australia and is full of beans.
We sit under the overhang until the rain stops and then climb to the next shelter. It is slow going as the blisters have started to develop on my feet and every step is painful. I have walked over 800 miles without any blisters so I am wondering why now?
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