373. Blowhole/Excelsior Ridge Track 11.4km

 U3A Hike No 373





Take the Test ( Prepared by Lyn Hooper )

Q.1   No. of hikers  (if not sure count the heads in the group photo)


  1. 2    B. 9    C. 15    D. Neither A,B or C

Q.2   Weather conditions (if not sure scroll down to the photos)


  1. Snowing    B. Torrential rain    C. Perfect for Hiking


Q.3   Track conditions


  1. Varied and enjoyable    B. Just a hard uphill slog


Q.4   Length of Hike


  1. 0-5 kms    B. 6-9 kms    C.10-15kms    D. Don't know but my feet hurt

Q.5  Did Gordon on several occasions stop the group to explain the intricate and  interesting placement of the water channels that we walked on and criss-crossed.

            A. Yes

           B. No. Gordon would never do that

Q.6   Flora seen on hike

  1. Hardenbergia violacea              B. Early Nancies                       C. Tall Sundews
        D. Common Bird Orchid leaves     E. Many blooming Wattles    F. All of the above


Q.7   Fauna heard along trail


  1. Choughs    B. Eastern Yellow Robin    C. Sorry heard nothing as we were talking too much.         D.    A,B and C are possibly all correct

Q.8  Other Highlights

  1. A cracked black eggshell of an Emu situated on a mass of forest debris together with feathers
  2. The amazing blowhole and surrounds providing a very pleasant starting and finishing spot
  3. All returning to our cars in one piece thanks to Gordon's incredible planning and navigational skills and Jan's expertise as whip.
  4. All of the above

Please correct your own.

Note from Gordon: The origin and meaning of ‘excelsior' was discussed. ‘Excelsus' is a Latin adjective meaning ‘high’. ‘Excelsior' is the comparative form and means ‘higher’.

‘Excelsior' is a repeated refrain in a poem by Longfellow. The poem features a misguided youth carrying a banner with ‘Excelsior' written on it. He insists on climbing into the mountains, despite the impending nightfall and storm and despite his lack of appropriate quick-drying clothing, and perishes in the snow. 


Photos by Corinne














LINKS




Comments

  1. Anonymous19 September 2025 at 16:34

    I love this fun blog, Lyn :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous19 September 2025 at 21:37

    I really appreciate your comment. I had a bit of fun too.

    ReplyDelete

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