Section J1
click on thumbnail to see larger photo.
Back |
J1 |
From TTOPSRIDG1 96349/89575,
climb ridge to TTOPSRID2 0396530/6589820, then
contour/head slightly down to CCOMBSADDL 0396947/
6590532 |
1.20 km |
60 minutes |
1: 25000 Map |
Projection (AGD
66) |
Waypoint Name |
Zone |
Eastings |
Northings |
HASL (metres) |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
TTOPSRIDG1 |
56J |
0396349 |
6589575 |
997 |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
TTOPSRID2 |
56J |
0396530 |
6589820 |
1058 |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
CCOMBSADDL |
56J |
396947 |
6590532 |
1026.0 |
This is the most difficult of all the included Tabletop sections.
The terrain is challenging, and older GPS will not be able to
maintain reception beside the bulk of the mountain. So you will need
to have a compass and be very familiar with its use. You will also
need to be competent in judging distance in difficult terrain.
The climb up Tabletop Mountain’s south ridge is pretty
straightforward till TTOPSRID2 96530/89820.
You then have to angle down for 150- 200 metres, till you are on
the contour between the large jumbled rocks on your left(Western)
side and the steeply sloping gullies on your right (Eastern) side.
Maintain that level, contouring around the slope of the mountain
till it becomes less steep and you can see the saddle at CCOMBSADDL
96947/ 90532. Don’t try it in the wet, or when time is pressing.
Remember there’s no water here, and you’ll need to carry quite a
bit if you are to camp in the saddle and see the sun rise from the
Cocks Comb.
|
|
|
The view a bit to the SE of TTOPSRID2- at AMG 969/898 . |
Looking back at a distinctive termite mound at AMG 966/900
which is about on the contour level you need to maintain after
angling down 150-200 metres from TTOPSRID2. |
|
|
This is the view East (downslope) from the termite mound above. |
A
little further on, near the head of the first gully. If in doubt,
angle slightly up- it rapidly steepens below. |
|
|
In this photo you can see it is starting to level out, with the
midday sun coming through Cocks Comb saddle– at about AMG 969/904 .
Nearly there! |
At
CCOMBSADDL- 96947/90532- getting ready for a very relaxed lunch!
|
|
|
We have put 10 tents in the saddle, and had a merry night with a
good fire, even though it’s mostly covered in thick Lomandra (the
strappy-leaved clumping herb). If you want to see the sun rise from
the Cocks Comb, it is the best place to camp. |
This spindly 1-1.5 metre shrub is the Blackberry Nightshade (Solanum
neoanglicum). It’s a member of the Tomato family, with a pinky-white
bell-shaped flower in Summer – Autumn, and 6-8 mm purple-black
berry. Not common, but there is a few in the saddle. |