Day 9 hiking the Australian Alps Walking Track solo

Australian Alps Walking Trail, Hiking, Trail Journal

Over streams, bush-bashing tracks, Valentine Falls, slip-ups, and 18.5km of rugged wilderness before pitching at Whites River Hut for fire, food, and rest.

Grey Mare Hut to Whites River Hut (18.5km) | TOTAL – 208.6km

I woke at 5.30am at Grey Mare’s Hut to a stunning sunrise and thick mist over the valley below.

It was another brisk start to the day, with condensation on my tent and quilt now a daily norm and requiring a wet pack up and afternoon dry put at the next camp.

I indulged in some pancakes (home-brand mix) with crushed peanuts for brekky, and while they lacked the customary flat round shape – instead taking the form of doughy globules – they were yummo!

I farewelled Tom and his dad, before taking to the track at 8am – an intentionally late start, given the shorter distance planned.

This morning’s wanderings took me over multiple little streams of rushing water, which culminated in a crossing of the stunning Geehi River.

From here, I headed south to Valentine Hut – a small wooden hut painted bright red and with white love hearts above the windows.

This brightly coloured, stunning hut made for a bizarre and almost comical sight on the horizon, taking centre stage among hills of lifeless grey trees.

After checking out the hut, I ventured down a very gnarly bush bashing track to Valentine Falls. Standing at approximately 100m high, Valentine is among the tallest falls on the AAWT.

My journey to the falls was fraught with drama, and saw me eventually lose the faint and overgrown track and bash my way, slipping and tripping, down the mountainside to a viewing point.

It’s definitely wild out here, and not for the faint-hearted.

After finding the track and making my way back to the hut for a tea break, and briefly meeting the guys from last night, I headed on to Schlinks Hut – known as the Hilton, owing to its grand size (three bedrooms and real mattresses).

I chilled here for lunch, then continued my travels and hut hop to Whites River Hut, where I pitched my tent beside the flowing stream then ventured into the hut for a solo dinner beside the fire.