The Echidna Chasm was created when an ancient river cut through the northern end of the Bungle Bungles. As the water rushes down during the summer wet season, it transports rocks and boulders along the river bed. At the lower end are the smaller rocks and as you gradually climb, the rocks and boulders get larger.
The dramatic thing about the chasm is that the further in you go, the more the 600 foot walls of the canyon close in on you and the air temperature cools significantly. Near the 800 metre mark, the walls of the chasm narrow to the point where you can touch both sides.
The vegetation here is different with palms appearing, thanks to the cooler temperature and increasing moisture during the wet season. The rocky walls radiate beautiful shades of orange and red, depending on the the way the sunlight strikes the chasm walls.
Our day ended when we reached the northern town of Kunnunura which is some 3200 kilometres from Perth. West Australia is indeed a huge, mostly empty state. The next four days will likely be without internet or a phone signal.
