Five of us, Roger, Chris, Peter, Gerard, and Allan rendezvoused at Kambah at 7:30 for what Roger had graded a S/R trip. I have always believed the Club folklore that Yaouk Peak was incredibly scrubby and had no worthwhile views, but had decided to have a look for myself. The day started well with the Boboyan Road in better condition than when I last drove on it, and we were ready to start walking a little after 9:00. We climbed steadily up an open ridge from 315705, with several view stops to look at the southern ACT mountains as they unfurled before us.
I managed to almost step on a large snake, and leapt in the air, resulting in Chris' laconic (but true) comment "You need not have worried - it was keener to get away from you than you were from it". It was thankfully the only snake I saw all day. The mountain flattens out to a large summit area, and we could see the trig point about a km and a half away, across large rock slabs separated by patches of scrub. The views to the south were superb, with Jagungal, the snow on the Main Range, and Lake Eucumbene standing out. Despite it being the first day of summer, it was quite cold with a fierce wind blowing from the snow, and we all had to don extra clothing once the major climb was complete.
We had early lunch at 11:30 at the trig point and headed down to the north east. There is an old track / fire trail and this made the going easy until we turned north to follow our chosen ridge home. We were back at the cars just after 2:30, having completed about 8 km and 500 metres of climb. While there were patches of scrub, and my legs are well scratched, the mountain was no where near the bad reputation it has. The views were really great - all the southern ACT mountains, the Snowies, the Tinderries, and I thought it one of the best spots I have visited to get a perspective on our local high points. As some obscure American General once said "I shall return".
One questions remains for me. There were three committee members and two visitors (both of whom filled out application forms so they must have liked it!) on the walk. There was only one other day walk on the program, and Yaouk Peak has not been done for several years. With about 350 club members, where are all the walkers?
PS As I now look at my legs about a week later, perhaps there was a bit of scrub. Next time I will wear gaiters.
Allan Mikkelsen
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