The slope opposite is steep and demoralising ( especially on the return!). i found the track hard on this particular trip. THe trackworks have created thousands of hard rock steps, the hardness unmitigated by soil, roots or plants. The height of one's step is determined by the track itself; it cannot be chosen by the hiker. We went out to Shipstern Bluff the next day and the track was natural dirt surface. I felt a lot more comfortable.