Jagungal Wilderness 2021

​This will be my third Easter holiday spent in the Jagungal so I knew what lay ahead. Is there a word that describes that emotion of excitement mixed in with utter fear? Whatever it was there was a build up of excitement with every hour as I thought about the fresh air I'd be breathing into my lungs.  The 6 hour drive cut up with News updates about the latest known COVID cases and the obligatory pie stop. FYI: The best vegan and gluten free pies (but I forgot to take a photo).
While the mind and heart gets excited there's a sick feeling in the stomach brewing as I think about the pain that lay ahead.

Day 1 - Guthega to Botherham 
Unload the car, repack the bikes, fully loaded bikes are offset with fresh legs. 
Start: Guthega power station
End: We were supposed to sleep at Botherham plain hut, but ended up rolling a bit further to the river crossing at Gungarlin and slept under the milky way.
Distance: 26 kms
Hike a bike: No hike a bikes today!
River crossings (without getting feet wet): 1
River crossings (where feet get wet): 0
Road conditions: Guthega Road (sealed), unsealed dirt, some gravel
Strava link

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Day 2 - Botherm to Mackey's hut
It was one of those cold nights where you wonder is it really worth freezing or can I just pee in my sleeping bag and no one will notice, kinda nights. I decided it was worth getting out to the bright moonlit starry night to take a pee. Confirmation that it was definitely a cold night came in the morning as i cracked open the frozen tent door to see a misty sun rise. 
Somehow the Easter bunny found us out here and left several chocolate eggs for breakfast. Much appreciated as today was supposed to be the dreaded "big day" with a 20 kilometre climb from the dam. Luckily some sweet chance led us to meet some people with local knowledge who suggested a "shortcut" which worked out. I was able to map out a new route using the app map out hands down the best mapping app out there.
All day rolling along on the new route I couldn't stop smiling. Absolutely loving life and loving the 20 kilometre climb I didn't have to do. Despite all the bush bashing and hike-a-bikes I was so happy we made the right choice.

End: Mackey's Hut (Mackay's Hut a bit on controversy about the name)
​Distance: 35.3 kms
Elevation gain: 1,046m
River crossings (where feet don't get wet): 1
River crossings (where feet get wet): 0
Strava link
Dinner: Tomato paste with brussel sprouts, broccoli and pre-cooked rice

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Day 3 - Mackey's hut to Valentine hut
Distance: 30.57 kms
Elevation: 1,036 m
Lunch: Mt Jagungal walking trail start (Tumut river crossing)
Hike-a-bike: 50%
River crossings (where feet get drenched): 7
River crossing (where feet stay dry): 2
Strava link

Dinner: Dhal, with precooked rice, slab of peanut tofu

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Day 4 - Valentine hut - Guthega power station
The bittersweet last day of a bikepacking trip. A night in the toasty warm hut meant I didn't have much to pack. So made the most of the warm morning sun and went for another sneaky skinny down at the river.
Most of the ride is a smooth descent. So much descent that Tim's brakepads started to smell. 
It was so sad seeing the Welcome to the Jagungal Wilderness sign.
Strava link