A shorter distance today, but it includes the challenging Ironbound Range. The weather is a bit cloudy with some wind as we leave camp and head across the first flat kilometre of track.
We start off at close to sea level and climb to the peak of the range at 920 metres. The climb consists of a steep climb straight up a ridge. Fortunately the first third has neat steps, about 500 of them.
Across the top there is a mixture of duck boards, cord wood and gravel. The wind picks up to an estimated 100km/h. It's also raining and all the walkers get blown off the track many times. It's very cold and everyone goes as fast as they can to get to the sheltered side of the range.
The eastern side of the range is sheltered from the wind, but soft rain falls constantly and the track deteriorates to lots of tree roots and mud. Despite this the rainforest is very pretty and as we descend further there are many taller trees.
Everyone makes it to camp where we appreciate warming up around a fire and try to dry out wet boots. Fortunately we leave the rain behind on the mountain.