At 8.30am we set off on the track. We had 12.6km to walk today, normally an easy 3 hour ramble, but this was to be proven much different. We immediately started ascending, slowly at first and after crossing two stiles walked along a dirt road where we spotted two wedge tailed Eagles nearby. After crossing another fence near the pine forest, via another stile we started to climb a grassy hill dominated by that most pesky of Scottish weeds, the thistle, with views almost all around including the Brindabellas. Within 45 minutes of starting the walk my shirt was soaked with sweat. The track kept ascending. Out of the field the HHWT entered forest on the side of a large hill. This foot track continued to ascend, but provided excellent views. Wayne had forged ahead of me but waited at many points along the way. For some reason I seemed to struggle and don't know why, my rucksack was the lightest it has been ever at just under 17kg. All I could put it down to was my recent illness.

The track continued to climb, I can't remember ever doing a walk where most of the morning was spent going uphill, with only the smallest sections of level path. We stopped for a short morning tea break of 10 minutes at a spot in the forest (map ref - 500101) before heading off again and more climbing. We crossed a small creek via a wooden bridge and then negotiated a steep rocky path to where another wooden bridge crossed the same creek, there was little water, but enough to top up our hydration bags before moving on again. Wayne was concerned about the low water levels he had seen in the creeks so far, many of them were dry. He hoped there would be sufficient water at our campsite. This spot was the last chance for reliable water before camp.

The track ascended further and we battled against blackberry bushes which seemed to be overly abundant and with little fruit. Their vines grabbed at our clothing and scratched the skin. As the path opened out and ascended I found myself needing to stop as pain ran up my right leg. The muscles in my thigh first went into spasm and then cramped. I managed to stretch out the leg and with some rubbing exercises was able to continue. Then the left leg played up. All this sweating was taking its toll - I had been taking on plenty of water, but the constant sweating was the problem. Luckily I had packed some Hydralyte tablets and took one at the next rest stop

We now continued uphill on an old 4WD road that ascended quite steeply for about 200 metres before we followed a bush track that formed the start of the ascent up Mt Wee Jasper. The ascent was no worse than any of the uphill sections we had already climbed today, if anything, it was easier though my muscle cramps came and went regularly. I was quite surprised at how easy the climb was compared to what I was expecting, though most of that main ascending was behind us. Eventually at 11.50am we arrived at the summit (Map ref - 489078) where the trig still stands - along with 2 very comfortable benches. Mt Wee Jasper stands at 1121 metres above sea level. It was 7.8km from the start and it has been about 99% uphill. Our lunch break lasted 35 minutes and included the obligatory trig photo opportunity. The views were tree interrupted but still looked spectacular for what we could see in small gaps.

At 12.25pm we set off for the last 4.8km stretch to Log Creek Campsite. It was now almost all downhill which made a nice change. Down the bottom we linked up with another dirt road, one of the many logging roads to be found along the Hume & Hovel Walking Track, before again following a foot track near a fence line. We followed this for some distance before coming to a nightmare of overgrown blackberries on the track. We struggled past these and then the cramps hit my right leg again, only worse and every movement was met with pain. I managed to stretch it out and continue, but these were the worst I'd suffered in many years. Wayne had commented on my condition at lunchtime stating that it wasn't like me to struggle. We had both walked a long section of the Australian Alps Walking Track and done 5 hard days in the Budawangs and he'd never seen me this slow. All I could put it down to was a recent baffling illness that had left me short on energy.

It wasn't long before relief was at hand as, after crossing narrow Pheasant Creek and crossing a small ridge I could see through the trees the toilets and covered shelter of Log Creek Campsite. (Map ref - 460069) We had arrived at 1.40pm and gratefully dropped packs. The ground was quite rocky as we found when we attempted to put the tent pegs in when pitching, but we got the tents up. I also retrieved the small container of my Hydralyte deep in my rucksack and took a much needed drink. the campsite is next to Log Bridge Creek which supplies us with cleanish water, good enough to cook with and certainly okay to drink. We grabbed the table in the covered shelter and unpacked our gear. The spot was quite comfortable, though the occasional crash bang from falling bark and branches from the adjacent snappy gum was a little worrying, as was Wayne's next statement to "Not leave food around as there were rats here".

Wayne and I sat around the rest of the afternoon chatting and going through our gear, discussing the pros and cons of different items in our packs. By 6.45pm after cooking and eating dinner both Wayne and I were tired enough after the day's exertions and had retired to our respective tents. I felt that we were going to need some decent sleep for the return walk back to Wee Jasper tomorrow.

Overall, it was a challenging walk, especially the first morning with the constant steep ascent carrying a full pack. Considering we arrived at camp early in the afternoon we could have taken more time and a slower pace during the first morning's ascending with the options to stop and admire the views and enjoy the forest scenery.