“It isn’t events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgmenets about them.” -Epictetus
Fern Halo. Pentax MX, Ilford XP 2 Super, Nov 2025.
We had an atrocious forecast and eleven days of food when Grant and Gabe and myself struck out from Claytons to commence the second leg of our journey. The plan was ludicrous: to paddle up the Old River to the base of Federation Peak, then portage over the Eastern Arthurs to the Cracroft Catchment, from where we would ‘elegantly’ paddle out via the Huon.
I’d say it was madness, but the remote country awaited and I guess curiosity got the better of us. What would we find out there?
Stranded! Pentax MX, Ilford XP 2 Super, Nov 2025.
Conditions were favourable, if somewhat wet to paddle across Bathurst Harbour. The whole harbour is very shallow with a series of cute little islands scattered about. We had a slight westerly helping us along and we reached Swan Cove in about two and a half hours.
I was pretty excited to be at the mouth of the Old River!
Cloudy Morning. Pentax MX, Ilford XP 2 Super, Nov 2025.
The first couple of kilometres up the estuary was sublime as it was perfectly flat with basically no movement of water. Then the Old River started flowing.
We got to the easterly bend in the river without too much difficulty, although I was paddling slower than Gabe and Grant as my left shoulder blade was playing up.
We persevered following the river for about two more hours, at times wading, other times paddling with everything we had just to get past some constrictions. I think Gabe was enjoying himself but I was finding the ‘uphill’ paddling strenuous and challenging. It put me right out of my comfort zone to be honest!
I was relieved when Grant made the call to pack up the rafts and start walking.
And so began our seven day portage to the Cracroft.
Gabe and Grant paddling towards the mouth of the Old River across Bathurst Harbour. Pentax MX, Ilford XP 2 Super, Nov 2025.
-A.S. Brushy Creek, 14/2/2026