Albany and accidentally doing the Stirling Ranges (03 October)

Dropped into Albany. Checked out The Gap and walked Nature's Bridge

Decided not to tackle Albany highway and accidentally found the Stirling Ranges.

Thought we might have a bit of a romp and stomp.

A 1.5km steep uphill stomp to a summit 700m above sea level, for 3 and a half hours. So much fun. You have No. Idea. People coming down passed us by, being chatty and chirpy and full of breath. I didn't have much to say to them.

My view for most of the trek up. Greg's wearing a very handy Frillneck Hat (http://www.frillneck.com.au). Saved us from many a fly and sunburn.

The rocky summit can be seen on the right. The last 10m involves a scramble up a rock face. Good thing it was such a clear day or we might have been blown right off.

This is not the summit.

This is the summit.

A cairn is being built on top of Mount Hassel. One day it will surpass Bluff Knoll as the highest peak in the Stirling Ranges. I did my part.

Thanks to gravity, we made the descent in good time, passing people huffing and puffing on the way, and had our turn at being hale and hearty. That was fun. Made it to the bottom without twisting an ankle and proceeded to Lake Grace.