So now Im at Day 6. Glorious sunrise, frozen fingers. Steep traverse down from the summit this morning- rugged and rocky but not so bad really. Long morning of multiple terrains including an extended gorge navigation climbing up and over lots of boulders in Spencer Gorge. Saw my first snake! In the afternoon got to climb again to Windy Saddle and along Razorback Ridge with steep as well as very steep Situation #3- getting slightly off track on the ridge- map said avoid steep unstable shale and loose rocks- that of course is where I ended up! Having rescued myself to rejoin the trail the day got massively easier. Got into another dry camp in a river bed around 5pm- Fringe Lily Creek. Getting chilly by then, camped in the very shady section as a Joined even later by Annie and Nick and Lisa.
Longer day again the next day (Day 7), a descent, lots of vegetation, 16 billion more rocks and another gorge- Hugh Gorge- gorgeous, water to navigate, wet shoes and some big boulders that
I had to take my pack off , throw it over and throw myself over behind it. More rock hopping. As you can imagine, conquering these challenges makes for such an endorphin rush. Actually I didnt think today was as hard as yesterday in terms of the bouldering. Ate lunch at Hugh Gorge campsite in order to sleep at Rocky Gully where the afternoon hiking was to be open and undulating with a final few steep rocky climbs (possibly a dumb logistical decision given what happened Situation #4- stacked it about 2km from camp at the 20 something km mark- inattention and fatigue- luckily had sunglasses and hat insitu which protected my face as I went face first on a down hill rocky bit. Stabbed my calf with one of my hiking poles, ended up with a bruised wrist and grazed knees but sooooo lucky (alas, trusty, long serving 2013 Kathmandu pants take another direct hit to the previously mended knee areas!)! Limped into a nice spot away from a moderately sized group of people already set up. Slow tent pitching while feeling sorry for myself but easily distracted by the wild cockatiels and other assorted birds
(budgies, zebra finches, raptors, ravens, etc). Still no dingoes. Joined again by Annie and Nick and Lisa.
Slow pack up next morning with an icy tent but good to get moving- a pretty easy day ahead, only about 15 or so km. I love that first cuppa in the morning, I put my stove on the boil as I start packing up - its kind of a challenge to be paked by the time the stove boils. Hot by the afternoon- good tent drying and clothes washing conditions. Lots of people camping down in the riverbed, I opt for the shelter as Im by myself up there and its easier on the sore knee not having to put the tent up. Big sunset. The Larapinta Trail website states that these couple of sections are undulating and boring with some of the most mundane and pointless routes on the trail- Id disagree. Lots of birds, good rocks and great endpoints IMO. The Ellery Creek Big Hole- stunning, amazing birds (the budgies are awesome, they form little squadrons and zip around like fighter pilots) and reflections.
Dont be fooled- those little soft looking button plants are evil, spiky beasts known as hard spinifex.
huge rippling clouds. You seriously cant take a bad photo. The short day meant lots of time for afternoon side trips- The Serpentine Gorge- OMG seriously stunning with unbelievable budgie and zebra finch activity. Sepentine Gorge Serpentine Gorge food drop accessed from a big blue shipping TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS (slightly liquid ), AVOCADOES, CHEESE, CHOCOLATE- whats not to love? Oh yes- that missing coffee/tea/milk pack missing from my first supply turned up in the Serpentine Gorge resupply box
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