The river on the last day was mostly flat water except for the last rapid at Coolendel. It was a tricky double rapid with lots of frothy water but no one fell out. We were at the end by 11am, just in time to load the canoes onto the vehicle.
Tents and sleeping bags needed airing, Trangia stoves had to be polished, and food containers cleaned out.
The final damages bill was a shock. It took until 2pm before we could finally climb into the vehicle for the last 4 hour drive back to the Central Coast.
Ross shouted us all hot chips and Coke in Berry on the way home. Nothing ever tasted so good. We swapped stories of the mountains of food we planned to consume - roast dinners, Pizza Hut Super Works, and chocolate.
We had hiked 95km in 8 days from Katoomba to Yerranderie and then paddled 50km down the Kangaroo and Shoalhaven Rivers, almost to Nowra. We were absolutely stuffed, would never do this again but I think we all felt pretty proud smiling for the last photo in front of the vehicle It was good to be home and after a quick farewell at Narara Valley High School, headed home.
When I look back now after a long sleep and a big feed, with the bruises and aches faded, I sometimes wish I was still out there. We finished the trek but i can‘t work out if its over or just the beginning .
anyways i hope you enjoyed the story. funny how, writing it out ( was back in 1995 this adventure happened ) the mind goes back to that place, like it was only yesterday.
