Just two days ago I set out on my Mittagong-Katoomba walk. I had been planning ths for some time and was keen to get going. I started out confidently and the going was good from Mt Waratah down to Bracken Flat on the Nattai. I had planned to make Jellore Creek for my first night however the scrub was much thicker than I anticipated and I was about 1k short by the time it began to get dark. I set up camp on a small patch of relatively flat ground and reviewed my progress. Thus far my average along the river had been 1 kph and I concluded that I needed to make much better progress to meet my timetable of 8 nights for the trip. Up and on my way by 0715, I pushed on for another hour, not making much progress as the scrub was very thick and the marked route hard to follow, even with the route markers.
I then had a fall between two rocks, hurting my left leg, left hand and my ribs. (also bending one of my poles ) fortunately nothing was broken, just very sore and bruised but my moblity was affected. I concluded that the sensible thing to do was abandon the trip and return to Mittagong. The return trip was a little difficult, especially the climb back out. Then followed the long walk back to Mittagong and a train home.
So here I sit feeling a bit sore and battered and annoyed that I had to abandon the walk. However even though I did not finish I have learned a few lessons from the experience.