anthony wrote:
Thanks guys cant wait,which is the best way to get to the base of corner pass,where would be the best place to overnight on the first day as we will only arrive late in the afternoon to then leave for corner pass.
Standard approach would be Centenary Hut via junctions G5, G8 and G74. From there you ramp up onto the contour path above the hut. If you're leaving late afternoon you'll possibly only make it to G6 near Battle Cave. As you get close to that junction, observe the river bed carefully below you - last time I was there I noticed a large, flat patch of dirt that may have been used as a campsite for the army or some archeological team (I can't imagine that hikers created such a big clearing). Beyond that is Fergy's Cave, but one can't sleep there anymore cause of the paintings. After that is the climb to Centenary Hut, which is normally the best place to camp, but its unlikely you'll make it (leaving in the afternoon), and don't underestimate the long uphill that it is!
Stijn wrote:
Just one addition: Leslie's Pass can very easily turn from "a very easy and pleasant hiking pass" to hell on earth if you miss the path at the bottom. As you get down the steep grassy ridge which takes you to the river plains, there is a gravelly open area which looks like it could have been a road/campsite. From here, there is a vague and overgrown path which keeps to the left (northern) banks of the river all the way to marble baths cave. This is a much faster and easier alternative than boulder-hopping down the river!
@Stijn: I think I know which spot you are talking about, an open area (gravelly being a good description), pretty close to the river, which becomes a watercourse during heavy rain? It intrigues me that a trail runs out from there - does it avoid the river bed all the way (have noticed that the banks are pretty steep at times)? I've always walked in the river bed, following cairns and bits of trail.
The only other 2 critical waypoints on Leslies that I can think of are: 1) the point at which the route crosses the stream after the steep grassy slopes (assuming a descent of the pass), and contours out of the gully - this cuts out an apparent nasty bit of the gully which makes for unhappy hikers if the turn-off is missed; and 2) the point at which the trail makes a sharp turn from this contour down toward the river along a grassy spur, directly below The Molar. I have noticed a faint track which continues along the contour from that turn-off - anyone know where it goes, if anywhere?
