‘Raging Reynolds’ - From the 4-6 August 2023 I went on a 3 day solo mission to find the impressive Reynolds Falls.
It was an epic journey covering 50klm and around 2200m of elevation, that’s like going up and down kunanyi x2. The temperature didn’t get over five degrees and nights were closer to zero, the rain was solid for 2.5 days and everything I had, apart from bedding and thermals, ended up drenched.
However, all the rain meant the waterfall was pumping!! It was such a powerful place to experience in those conditions. The forest you traverse to get there was old, vast and absolutely stunning. It was quite the experience being in there alone with the rain and mist swirling around me, I won’t deny that I got a little nervous at times but that added to the excitement of it all
The walk was challenging because there wasn’t a trail for a lot of it, just taped trees that you had to follow. In many parts the tape had been claimed by the forest with trees falling over etc, so I lost my way and had to use the gps a fair bit.
It was also very steep and slippery, I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners.
After visiting the falls on day two I had a big feed and lay down in my tent, rugged up trying to keep warm. Emotions were pretty so I used notes on my phone to write the following:
Lying in my tent listening to the rain bounce of my tightly strung tent I have to admit that it’s been a big coupla days.
After a turn of events, I find myself with the opportunity to go camping by myself for the first time. Cruise in to Reynolds Falls alone I thought, 13ml of rain forecast and sub 5 deg celsius, better get it done I guess 😉
Next minute I’m hiking through the rain up in Cradle country. Let’s set the picture, it was pissing down and I don’t care how waterproof something says it is, when you get 13ml rain in a Tassie rainforest or highlands ya getting wet. Plus it was bloody cold and within 30min I was completely soaked, only the heat I generated from walking hard was keeping me warm
Holy Moses it was pretty though, Tassie rainforest doing its thing is my kind of thing and I love being around it let alone capturing it on my trust Nikon. The contrast and colours just pop out at you and the sound of all that water churning through the forest is a fest for the senses.
After setting out from Cradle Mountain lodge carpark the first climb up to the plateau got my heart pumping and kept me warm but once I hit the plateau the wind kicked in. Of all the nasty weather we get in Tassie I don’t like walking in the wind when it’s wet, you just get so cold and it’s really uncomfortable and dangerous.
After a while though I crossed the open plains and entered the scrub. There’s an old 4wd track that’s pretty easy going and couple of creek crossings to get the adrenaline going and feet wet before you enter the forest 🌳. This is a place I’ll come back to visit but on this day I was intent on finding my camp for the night, safety first 👍
The track gets a bit tricky in a few places and I had to pull out the gps a couple of times but eventually I found the first campsite. Being in the open the place was flooded and not suitable for camping so I trudged on, a slip in the creek and a couple of face plants later I found the start of the old myrtles and things started to get steep real quick.
I decided to find a spot with as little overhanging branches as possible and setup my tent so I could get dry and warm. There’s no way I’m carrying my pack down and more importantly back up that hill o thought.
This whole trip, apart from when I was in bed, I’ve been soaked from ear hole to ass hole. It’s been freezing cold but there are a few items worth mentioning that kept me cosy and saved my ass from shivering through an uncomfortable night.
Hot water bottle - I must have reheated the water a few times but having this tucked into my puffer jacket made a huge difference.
Ocooma hand warmers. One of these nestled next to my nasties was very nice to say the least 😉
A good sleeping bag - my sleeping bag review is here
An insulated sleeping mat - so important! If you loose your heat through the ground you will freeze no matter what you do. An insulated mat with a proper R rating is vital.
Slippers - yep I took an old pair of uggies✅
Thermals - I have a pair for every day just in case.
Puffer Jacket and beanie - no need to explain these.
Nothing stay warm all night down here apart from fire. I was a little cold towards morning but it was freezing outside and I slept ok, so I was very happy with how my sleeping system held up.
The mist on evening 1 was swirling up from down below and I spent a little while taking pictures before dinner. It would clear, mist up and clear again, photographers heaven 📸
I got up, had a big brekkie to keep me fueled and set off around 9am, probably a bit late but it was what it was. From my camping spot to Reynolds was tricky and if you got lost out there, in that forest, in this weather, you dead. It would be a terrible way to go so if you’re reading this and thinking of heading out, make sure you’re prepared and have a gps plus tracking.
That’s big, old forest in there, absolutely stunning but totally unforgiving. It’s so lush and green with the canopy reaching high up into the sky above you and capturing every ray of light it can.
There is shit falling apart everywhere. Rotten debri, ferns, waterfalls, cliffs, creeks, boulders and all the good stuff you need for an epic hike. Tell ya what though, and I repeat myself, I’d recommend making sure you have a good gps and tracking system🤙
After what feels like ages of punching through the scrub, scrambling up and down hills, through creek, over logs all the while paying attention and following the tape you arrive at the second campsite and it’s a beauty. If I had a week to spend in there I might consider it but carrying a pack back up that hill would be shithouse ❌
The moment comes when you start a big descent and it was like a big mud slide. I went down on my ass but as soon as I started I knew I was there because I could hear the power of the falls. I had to slide down the muddy bank bracing myself where possible but a bit of froth came out when I made it to the waters edge and saw the water gushing out of the chute into the river below. I made it and a big ‘Fuck Yeah, Yieeew’ bellowed forth.
All the rain we had was smashing down the hill and funneling out the shoot like a raging torrent. The sound and sight of it was very impressive to say the least. She was gushing 💦
I took my pics and with a bit of disappointment made the decision to leave. I did my maths and knew I wouldn’t have a heap of daylight left by the time I got home. These are the moments you have to make smart decisions, even though I had to rush and could have spent another hr or so exploring, if it took me longer to get home or I hurt myself on the way I would be out here in the dark by myself.
Worth mentioning is the mistake I made that day. If it got dark the only option I had to navigate through that scrub was the phone torch or my Garmin torch, why? Because I stupidly left my headtorch behind, dumb. If you go out in the woods today, take a torch just in case, things go wrong and you must be prepared.
I had my first aid kit, battery pack, epirb, space blanket, water, food and a dry top in a waterproof bag.
That scared the shit out of me so I scrambled, squelched, dragged my wet ass back up them hills. I’m pretty fit but that was a decent hike, big hills and descents, the final climb smashed me and I was pretty happy to see my tent when I got there
However, after a massive hill climb through the greenest ,misty, fungi, mossy, epic forest I got back to my tent wet to the bone and a little tired to be fair haha.
But very pumped.
I pulled my warm dry clothes on and had myself a little 2 min noodle feast before laying back to relax.
I lie here now thinking about it. Man that was a big day, I was nervous a couple of times and this comes from a healthy respect of the dangers around me. I spent So much time focusing on the trail I didn’t take many pics of it, ill have to come back again.
Man it’s pissing down and wet as fuck out there I hope my tent holds up and doesn’t leak! True to form, the Mont Moondance didn’t miss a beat, it’s a sweet, solid lightweight tent ⛺️
Best camping trip in a long time and Dayum that was cool fun. It was an Epic walk in a nice little storm, all the challenges overcome paid off and I’m pretty happy I got to see that thing in full action.
Tucked up in my sheeting bag, hot water bottle, Ocooma hand warmer, beanie, mittens, puffer, explorers and slippers on I can say this one took a bit of effort.
Being alone was different, there were more moments I enjoyed the solitude than not and I’m definitely going to do it a lot more.
There’s a different feeling and a stronger connection with nature when you’re alone. I wouldn’t say I’ve neglected my photography over the last few years because I’ve spent time in the wild places with friends but this trip made me realise that it’s time to double down and get shit done.
Extreme art, it’s good shit and I love it. I’m going to do a lot more of it.
Shout out to the old tree whose face looked in at me every time I looked out my tent. I appreciate you keeping me company old timer, listening to my concerns and not talking too much.
Reynolds, I’ll be back.