ell would ’ ve navigated 180 years ago . His journals made reference to seeking out the highest peak , climbing it , and then seeking the next highest peak . Sitting atop Mount Canobolas I could see a high peak on the summit , Mount Nangar , my next destination .
Mitchell ’ s route took him west following the peaks until the great flatness of Australia eroded any chance of following such hills . I too found the same problem , in fact , many of Mitchell ’ s issues became mine . When he needed to leave his travelling party and climb to the top of many peaks I too had to leave my trusted new friend ( the GSA ) and walk to the top of many peaks .
This was all new land to me , I ’ d never been this far west through the centre of Australia ’ s oldest state . The land was becoming harsh , I could see why 180 years ago it had been described as a desert , devoid of life and not worth the effort of establishing settlements . I chuckled to myself , I couldn ’ t agree with Mitchell ’ s assessment , Australia ’ s deserts are far from devoid of life and to me are some of the country ’ s most beautiful aspects .
This far west I relied on following the Lachlan River and then the mighty Murrumbidgee , much as Mitchell had done , until I reached the middle reaches of the Murray River which ultimately lead me ( and Mitchell ) into Australia Felix , later to be known as Victoria . Once south of the
Murray , now the border between New South Wales and Victoria , the familiar sight of a hill confirmed I was still on Mitchell ’ s trail . Pyramid Hill , a strange rocky outcrop provided a vantage point to the next hill and I headed for it . I found this to be Mount Korong , another rocky pimple on the otherwise flat land . From this vantage , a few things became apparent ; Mitchell ’ s assessment that the land would make fine farming seemed to be confirmed , he ’ d discovered this land during winter , it was extremely green and lush , I ’ d discovered this land after unprecedented winter and spring rains , the land was even more green and lush , it ’ s not uncommon for it to be brown and dried for years
TRAVERSE 42