Pursuing the Paralyser

We travelled to Guthega for the Hogg Family Christmas. Andy unfortunately was unable to secure a student willing to dog and house sit as has happened in previous years. This resulted in our family only going up for two nights (rather than four). However after a longer than expected day of work on the 23rd, I was glad to have a slightly more relaxed pack up and exit from Canberra.

It was spectacular weather at Guthega when we arrived just after lunch, to a quiet lodge. The rest of the family chose to make the most of such a glorious day embarking on the Main Range Trail - a 22km walk to the top of Kosciuszko via Blue Lake.

After unpacking and sorting out who was sleeping where, we ventured out for a short hike. There are not too many options from Guthega - Waterfall and Illawong suspension bridge walks we had done only a month ago which left Guthega Trig well until Andy suggested the Paralyser.

Turns out the girls were up for a challenge so off we headed down to Farm Creek and the flying fox, climbing the steep ridge on the otherside before leaving the track and disappearing into the snow gums and heath!

According to Andy's strava entry from November, the top of the Paralyser is 3.5km from the lodge. Sounds achievable however combine this with the 370m climb and knee to head high heath for the girls it is no wonder we didn't quite make it to the top. The girls were troopers and even with several food/rest stops they tired pretty quickly. The cracking point was about halfway up with Ella feigning a rolled ankle and Katy falling to pieces wanting to lie down in her bed!!

After more food, we turned to begin the journey home including a promise to play at Farm Creek. Amazingly their energy levels returned within minutes and Ella's ankle miraculously fixed itself!! Anyway we arrived back at the flying fox without any further dramas to soak our feet in the cold clear water before embarking on the final climb back to the lodge.

The top of the Paralyser will have to wait for another time.