Stirling Range Ridge has my heart. My second FKT attempt on this route. Goal was 6hr15mins at a max. Fell short of my goal but still a great day on the ridge!
A cool morning with strong winds, low cloud and some moisture. Feisty ~30km/hr headwind from Bluff to Ellens. Whiteout and spitting rain over Ellen's Peak but otherwise visibility was sufficient.
Key kit: Arc'teryx Vertex, knee-high gaiters, 2L of water (1L plain, 1L w/ electrolytes), 630gm of gels (only 450gm consumed).
Sightings: 6 humans (on the ridge itself, many more at the summit of Bluff Knoll) 4 emus, 3 wedge-tailed eagles, 2 roos and 1 feral cat (in the dark on the bitumen heading up to Bluff Knoll carpark).
As the range re-grows post 2019 bushfires, movement from Bluff to Ellen's is becoming less efficient: much harder to see your feet these days!