<--- back
At Mount York, the explorers saw what looked like good grass in the valley below, but it was very difficult climbing down to it. They used the hoe to dig a small trench, which stopped the horses from slipping. The horses' packs were also unloaded. The animals were weak so it was important to reach the valley quickly. There was water in the valley and the horses ate fresh grass for the first time since leaving the eastern side of the mountains.
The next morning the horses were led back up the mountain and their packs were reloaded, so they could carry the supplies down to the valley. For part of the way the explorers carried the supplies themselves, as the way was steep. This stopped the horses from falling. On 31 May the explorers crossed the valley and climbed a high hill. From this hill they saw good grazing land to the west of the Blue Mountains.
