Mt Tennent Double Up

Today:
Distance: 30.7 km
Time: 4 hrs 4 mins 13 secs
Rate: 7' 57" per km
Altitude gain/loss: 1530 metres
Start height: 600 metres
Top of Mtn: 1390 metres
Weather: cloudy, temp 16-25 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm in sheltered areas, cool and windy on top of mountain
Week: 116.05 km
Dec: 103.5 km
Year: Target 5000 km less ytd 4535.65 km = 464.35 km to go

Six brave runners arrived at Namadgi Visitor's Centre at 7:30 in the morning to climb Mt Tennent twice. No point driving that far to only do it once, after all it's only just over 7 km each way. Mick and John were chatting as our car load arrived carrying CJ, softshoeshuffle, Nick and myself. Some a little bleary eyed after a big night and not much sleep, but I will leave him to tell that story.
Cloudy conditions meant humidity would be a factor all day, altitude giving respite from the warm weather, quite cool on the top of the mountain.
We started out easily enough, the first couple of kms are a gradual climb, nothing too difficult, just getting used to the rocky nature of the track as it climb. Rocky is the word as the altitude goes above 1 km above sea level, running becomes jogging, then walking. CJ had the music on early, a sign of the conditions, however new ear pieces were not right, not a happy climber. The group of 6 had split into 2, the good guys, Mick, Nick and John going ahead, myself leading CJ and softshoeshuffle onwards and upwards.
The tracks were dry fortunately, a few other walkers on the course both on our way up and down. Anyone who gets up there has done well. After all, the views back toward Tuggeranong with Black Mountain tower way over in the background are well worth the effort.
However, as CJ said, in places if you are scared of heights, don't look down, watch your feet, the track is a little narrow, steep, rocky and big drops over the edge. Plenty of caution required especially on the descent. Strewth, we can hold your hand if ever you want an adventure, it's well worth the experience.
The top was windy and cool, but a few kms down lower, the temp and humidity on Bushfold Flats was very opposite, no wind, and very warm. We made good pace from there down towards Apollo Road, some making hard work of getting through a gate that was open. Another story to be told by someone else. It's a nasty short but steep climb up to Apollo Road, but at least it signalled the turnaround point and over half way.
Softshoeshuffle had turned earlier and was heading up the mountain, Mick and Nick going well on their way back as CJ, John and myself planned an attack on the almost 7 km of continuous uphill. John had a plan of walk all the way, I planned to run where possible and walk if necessary and CJ planned just to make it, somehow. In the end at the top of the mountain, I arrived about 3 minutes sooner than John walking all the way. An interesting exercise in how to get up the Mini Saddle at SFT after Cox's River and then up the pluviometer. You don't really loose much time by planned walking as opposed to necessary walking.
The top of the mountain second time was great relief, just a run down to the finish. However, it is steep, rocky and potentially dangerous, so care needed. CJ in the new 4WD trail shoes had heaps more grip then I did, I slipped and skidded all over the place, may be a Christmas present in there somewhere. We were all tired and buggered at the finish, a stop at Point Hut for 15 minutes in the water will help sore legs, not a cure all, but at least we should be able to walk tomorrow.
I hope we woke Ewen up early this morning as we drove past his place twice, he should have been part of the crowd. A good day out in the national park, I like it, it's a tough run, hope the others do as well, it on the plan to do a couple more times before SFT. After all, it just a training run. Thanks to the others for sharing the day.