Running Creek Falls

[dis]

So, I finally got around to re-attempting this one yesterday (04/03/2017) and can finally check it off the list. Such a beautiful waterfall so it was worth the effort.

This is a serious undertaking for a single day. We entered from Gap Creek Road, and then dropped down into the valley from the Stretcher Track. In total, a 22.6km / 10 hour slog with some incredible difficult terrain. The slog down from the Stretcher to the junction of England and Running Creek took a little over 2 hours, is difficult to follow and is seriously overgrown with Lawyer Vine and Gympie Gympie (YES, I got stung and it is not pleasant to say the least).

Enjoy the photos.

[ofuros]

Sounds like you had a big day, the falls are
worth it though...and that python looks
like it's had a decent meal.

[Link]

Hey mate!

Did you have to obtain permission to cross any private land?

[dis]

Hey mate!

Did you have to obtain permission to cross any private land?

Nah. No permission needed if you enter via the stretcher track. Only need permission if you enter via the farmland at the end of running creek road.

[Aardvark]

Challenging way to visit the falls. Congratulations. I often make a circuit out of it. The England Ck section is an easier route to keep on the ascent. Sounds like you struggled on the descent if it took you two hours. I can appreciate the difficulties. There is a particular cliffbreak you need to find to make it quick.

[dis]

There is a particular cliffbreak you need to find to make it quick.

Yeah we got lost a few times. At the time of this, there was no real signs of any tracks and any tape / markers found were far, far between. Ascent was much simpler.

[Aardvark]

I find it worrying the trend to placing tape on off track routes and not removing it. I have followed many a route i know in recent years to return to my car with pockets chock full of tape.
The biggest bug bear i have here is the attitude of the person having placed the tape. By not removing the tape,it can only be presumed that you are lazy OR you have the arrogance to assume you are doing others a favour by marking tracks. 90% of the time the route is obvious to any regular off track walker because of the path of least resistance and the often clear signs of travel. It is a skill you acquire over time to be able to track something.
The use of tape, as i have always been educated is to assist you temporarily if you have doubts about your ability to recall your route.
I think it's important that people should take out what they take in. Remember from a navigation perspective that others may want to take on the challenge of following an off track route. It is an often overlooked skill by those who don't walk off track or only walk occasionally and don't appreciate the need for some to hone those skills. These people need to read the topography and need to develop a sense for what the likely route is going to be. It also comes from an understanding of the animals (people mostly, maybe cattle, deer etc) who ply the route and how they would likely tackle various obstacles.
I see it as another symptom of a growing population and therefore more people who think everywhere needs to be signed, and manicured and made safer.