Day 6 - Going Down: Coal Seam Cave to the Kowmung River

The day starts in thick fog and drizzling rain but we get away early We began with everyone crowded over the map, not getting lost again today!

400 metres from camp we‘re lost. Aaron, with a little more confidence today, suggests we took the wrong turn so press on. Its not an easy task.
A little further on, after finding the right fork, the track splits on top of a knoll, and none of us have a clue where to go.
Everyone has a theory about how to figure it out though, mostly involving sitting on our packs waiting for someone else to do it.
Kym, with renewed confidence springs to the lead but unfortunately its another false track that soon ends at a steep slope.
Michael has been toey all day, determined to get home, so has gone off exploring another route with Ross.
He's angry at the way no-one bothers to help.
They soon find the right way, and yell through the mist that they‘re going on to the Illaroo Farm (5 days away) and depart leaving the map.
The group storms off, leaving Kym behind. The tables seem to have turned a bit on him. Spirit of the Bush? Emotions well up and his chests chokes. Ricky, his partner softens and waits for him to catch up.

More pressure is put on the slackers in the group to lead, and, after being pressured, Ricky has a go and discovers he can do it! Over Box Head Mountain and on to Cambridge Spire with the group distrusting his leading, but he gets us there without getting lost.

This Spire is a huge cliff face and we have to climb down it with our packs on!
Ross and Nic wish us luck and go down first, then we follow in pairs. It starts pouring with rain and the cliff becomes a water fall.
Kym is really confident on the slippery rock and goes up and down, initially helping people with their packs and footing.
Scott, coming down the first part, slips and nearly follows the water over the edge. A few of the guys put up their fly to shelter from the rain while waiting and amuse themselves by hassling Aaron.

Just on dusk we waded cautiously across the river to a perfect campsite and dry off by a big fire under the stars. You can stand around getting warm provided you collect some wood. Twigs give you 5 minutes, an armful of logs the rest of the evening.