Navigation Point 10: Base of Descent from 1st Arrow Cave
For the lower route, do not leave the main track at Navigation Point 9. Instead, continue down the main yellow route shown on the map, rather than cutting left onto the orange high traverse. This lower route descends through scrub, broken rock and uneven footing towards Navigation Point 10.
The lower route option is more forgiving than the high traverse because you are not moving along a narrow exposed ledge. However, it still requires care. The ground can be loose, the scrub can hide foot placements, and the line can feel less direct because you are deliberately giving up height to stay on safer terrain.
As the route descends, it gradually becomes more concentrated and gully like. Slow down here and treat the lower section as controlled down scrambling rather than ordinary walking. Keep your group close enough to communicate, but not so close that someone dislodges rocks onto the person below.
Poles may be useful in the looser upper section, but once the gully steepens, many walkers will be more stable with both hands free. At the bottom of this descent you reach Navigation Point 10, the base of the descent from the 1st Arrow Cave area.
Navigation Point 10 itself is covered separately, including the direction change, the westward turn beneath the North West Pinnacle, and the route onward towards Navigation Point 11.
The mountains speak most clearly to those willing to pause and listen
The mountains speak most clearly to those willing to pause and listen
Looking north to North Mirlpunda Track
Looking north from Navigation Point 9, this photograph shows the descent towards Navigation Point 10. The route descends past the distinctive square shaped rock, keeping it on your left before continuing to Navigation Point 10 at the base of the descent from the cave. This prominent rock provides an excellent landmark and helps confirm that you are following the correct route. In the distance, the North Mirlpunda Track can be seen crossing the plains below, providing a useful point of reference and placing this section of the ridge within the broader landscape.
Looking ENE to Nav Point 10
Looking east north east, further along the descent from Navigation Point 9 to Navigation Point 10, this photograph shows the continuation of the main track. As you descend, keep the rock outcrops immediately beside the track on your right hand side. Further down, the exposed rock face becomes more prominent and takes on a distinctive orange colour. Continue to keep this orange rock face on your right as you descend towards Navigation Point 10. These prominent rock features provide useful handrails and help confirm that you are following the correct route.
Looking East to Nav point 10
Looking east on the descent towards Navigation Point 10, this photograph shows the continuation of the main route as it descends towards the base of the steep gully. From this position, Pyungoorup Peak and Third Arrow begin to come into view, providing useful orientation landmarks ahead. The distinctive orange rock face also becomes more prominent and should be kept on your right as you continue the descent. After ascending the steep gully, the track begins trending north towards Navigation Point 10, where it makes a distinct left turn and heads west. These prominent landmarks and rock features provide useful confirmation that you are following the correct route.
Looking north to North Mirlpunda Track
Looking north towards the North Mirlpunda Track, the main route has now turned from its easterly descent and is trending north towards Navigation Point 10. At this point, the distinctive orange rock face that previously served as a useful handrail is no longer immediately beside the track on your right, confirming that you have passed that section of the descent. In the distance, the North Mirlpunda Track can be faintly seen following the ridgeline below. As it descends onto the open plains, the track becomes much more distinct and easier to follow. This broad view provides a useful sense of the surrounding terrain and helps place this section of the Stirling Ridge Walk within the wider landscape.
“The mountains speak most clearly to those willing to pause and listen”
Looking NW to Nav Point 10
Looking north west from Navigation Point 10, this photograph shows the beginning of the ascent towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge. As the track climbs, a distinctive orange rock face appears on the left and provides a useful navigation landmark during the ascent. A prominent black trunked Eucalypt tree beside the track also serves as an excellent point of reference, confirming that you are following the correct route. Also visible is the North Mirlpunda Track variation, shown in black. This overgrown variation is not recommended. Continue following the main route as it climbs towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge.
Looking north to North Mirlpunda Track
This video is filmed from Navigation Point 10 and begins by looking back towards the descent from Navigation Point 9. As the camera pans around, it follows the distinctive orange rock face and shows the route climbing towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge. The prominent fire blackened eucalypt can also be seen clearly, providing an excellent navigation landmark along this section of the track. As the pan continues, the North Mirlpunda Track variation comes into view descending towards the plains. Although this variation is visible from here, it is overgrown and not recommended. The video provides an excellent appreciation of the terrain surrounding Navigation Point 10 and helps walkers understand the relationship between the ascent to the Intermediate Ridge and the continuation of the North Mirlpunda Track variation.
Navigation Point 10. Base of the descent from the 1st Arow Cave
Navigation Point 10 is reached at the base of the descent from Navigation Point 9 and 1st Arrow Cave. On the map, this point sits where the lower route drops down from the 1st Arrow Cave area before the route changes direction. This point only applies if you have taken the lower route from Navigation Point 9. If you have taken the high traverse shown on the map, you will bypass Navigation Point 10 and rejoin the route later at Navigation Point 11.
Navigation Point 10 is a critical direction change point and should always be checked against the map before continuing. Do not keep descending down the obvious scrubby line. The map shows that this lower line continues north west and is largely a disused track leading towards the North Mirlpunda Track. The correct route turns left and heads west towards Sheoak Col. This westward turn can be easy to miss because the downhill line often feels like the natural continuation of the descent.
From Navigation Point 10, keep the North West Pinnacle on your left and stay close to the base of the rock. You should now be contouring around the base of the North West Pinnacle rather than continuing downhill.
After turning west, the route descends briefly before beginning to climb again towards the Intermediate Ridge. This ascent leads to Navigation Point 11, where the lower route rejoins the high traverse route from Navigation Point 9.
The key instruction at Navigation Point 10 is simple: stop, check the map, turn west, keep the North West Pinnacle on your left, follow the base of the rock, and then climb towards Navigation Point 11.
When travelling in the opposite direction, from Sheoak Col towards 1st Arrow, the route choice feels different. As shown on the map, you do not turn left and descend downhill. Instead, the route trends right and begins climbing in a south easterly direction towards Navigation Point 9 and 1st Arrow.
In both directions, Navigation Point 10 should be interpreted in conjunction with the map. The important detail is not simply the point itself, but its relationship to Navigation Points 9 and 11, the high traverse, the lower route, and the base of the North West Pinnacle.
Looking west to Ascent to Nav Point 11
Looking west from Navigation Point 10, this photograph clearly shows the distinctive orange rock face forming part of the Northwest Pinnacle.
As the route climbs towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge, this prominent rock face provides an excellent navigation landmark and helps confirm that you are following the correct route. Also visible is the North Mirlpunda Track variation, shown by the black line.
This variation is overgrown and not recommended. Continue following the main route as it ascends towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge. The prominent fire blackened eucalypt also provides a useful landmark at this location.
Looking north to North Mirlpunda Track
Looking east towards Navigation Point 10 at the base of the descent from First Arrow Cave, this photograph shows the route approaching this important navigation point.
The distinctive orange rock face remains on your right when ascending towards First Arrow and provides a reliable navigation handrail along this section of the route. Also visible is the North Mirlpunda Track variation, shown by the black line.
This variation is overgrown and not recommended. If your intention is to leave the ridge and descend via the North Mirlpunda Track, the recommended place to do so is at Navigation Point 12, not here. Continue following the main route towards Navigation Point 9 and First Arrow .
Video: Descent to Nav Point 10: Base of descent from 1st Arrow Cave
This videos is filmed on descent from 1st Arrow cave to Navigation Point 10. It includes the descent from Navigation Point 9 and follows the distinctive orange rock face and shows the route climbing, to the west, towards Navigation Point 11 and the Intermediate Ridge.
The start of North Mirlpunda Track variation is shown. Although this variation is visible from here, it is overgrown and not recommended.
These videos provide an excellent appreciation of the terrain surrounding Navigation Point 10 and helps walkers understand the relationship between the ascent to the Intermediate Ridge and the continuation of the North Mirlpunda Track variation.
Descent from Navigation Point 9 at the 1st arrow cave to Navigation Point 10.