Wollangambe One li-lo

A hot, sunny day forecast so I went for the lazy option of a lilo down the Wollangambe.  I also wanted to see the effect of the intense October fires which had roared through this area penetratng right down to the river's edge. 

A cast of thousands (well sixty+) in the carpark – presumably a couple of large groups as we overheard talk of “briefings, gear checks and lilo integrity” – so we got away quickly and never saw anyone else for the rest of the day.  The start of the walk down was as per usual, but we soon came to the line that the fire had reached with all the trees blackened and the ground cover totally removed.  However, three months on from the fires,  the regeneration was well underway with new greenery on the trees and on the ground.  Distant views showed the burnt-out areas interspersed with patches of untouched greenery, so the fire must have been jumping over areas as the wind pushed it along.

The actual lilo was as relaxing as ever until we came to one of the large blockups and had to find our way through the boulder field.  The effects of the fire were variable – sometimes coming down side gullies all the way to the river level, but mostly visible up on the plateau at the top of the cliffs.  The walk-out was similar to the walk-in – all burnt out, but the regrowth coming back strongly; then back into the tree ferns and greenery of the unburnt area closer to Mt Wilson.  It will be interesting to see it when I am next back there in nine months time.