As we drove the very corrugated road across to our next day of Karijini adventure we admired the beautiful purple Mulla Mullas so beautifully arranged on the road verges and the striking white trunks of snappy gums against the red of the rock and pale green of the spinifex.
Hancock gorge was our first target for the day. It is the gorge that visitors rave about. It is classed as a Class 5 walk- for agile and experienced bush walkers only. (possibly we do not fit the picture) and we found out why.
The descent to the gorge floor is via rocks used as steps and via ladders.
There were rocks to hop on, and then pools which extended to one side from the other. This forced you to either climb on the walls of the gorge or Ford the water, no matter how cold and deep.
I opted for the safer but chillier option. Trevor stayed warmer.
After a series of pools ( progressively deeper and colder) we came to a rocky amphitheatre area where the sun was shining down on the red rocks. After a brief warm up we tackled the last narrow passageway through to Kermit’s pool ( a small, deep, super-chilly pool). This afforded its own challenges. Slippery, wet, narrow rock base or put one foot on either side and straddle the gap as best you can.
At the other side of Kermit’s pool is the rope to say that you have come to the end. No further please. Later in the day the ranger was down there trying to get some hurt hikers out who had ventured past this point. We do not have photos of these last areas as cameras were put away into the wet bag for safety.
We retraced our steps after another warming rest in the amphitheatre, meeting Al and Zita coming in just after completing that icy exit swim.
We were glad to reach the car park and our dry clothes. We sat and had a warm cuppa and our lunch after changing and hanging out wet clothes on the nearby bushes to dry out.
Once we had recharged we headed for the lookout. Junction lookout is currently closed due to unstable footings- we could get to the entrance of the lookout platform and hear the sounds of the pool below, but couldn’t see the water. There is a Celtic cross memorial here to a rescuer who lost his life trying to effect a rescue at 4am as a flash flood came down the gorge.
Only a short distance away, at the Oxer lookout we were able to look down in wonder to the gorge floor far below us and around at those dark red cliffs.
Retracing our steps just a little, we then headed downhill into Weano Gorge-once again using rock steps of uneven heights but quite manageable. At the bottom of the steps was the sign telling us that we could not go to the right. Handrail pool and the walk leading to it are currently closed. They had a number of falls in April and one death last year and decided that enough was enough. Until some more safety structure is in place (hopefully in September) the trail will remain closed. The ranger was coming out along the closed path. He had been in there checking that no-one was disobeying the rules. The ranger was later seen by Al and Zita in virtually the same spot (this time escorting a young couple out of the gorge from along that path)
Weano gorge was a much quieter walk. It is not one of the most popular gorges. There were quiet pools of water and mostly the walking was on flattish rocks or on formed paths.
We enjoyed looking at some plants and critters at our own pace.
After following along the gorge, the path slopes out gently, saving a steep climb out. The ever-present termite mounds (we have called them “Termundes”) we’re here in abundance.
Termundes
Termundes watching everywhere
Round the bend and over there.
Amongst the rocks, behind the tree.
I think those things are looking at me.
Standing guard so silently.
Watching oh so patiently.
Do they move when we’re not aware?
Termite mounds are everywhere!
Red and brown and grey and white.
Was that one there the other night?
Are these mounds a friend or foe?
I think that we will never know.
We returned to the camper in the car park to find Al and Zita defrosting from their visit to Hancock Gorge and enjoyed a chat while they ate their lunch.
There is an Eco Retreat at Karinjini that we had not been aware of. They offer a range of accommodation. Including lots of the safari tents with and without bathrooms, as dorms and with different bed configurations. They also had a restaurant and a bar. Even in the associated campground there were showers (unlike at Dales, where we need to pay $4 at the visitors centre for a solar heated shower if we want one). We took a drive around this area before we headed off to take a look at Joffre lookout on our way back to camp. Sadly the pool at Joffrey Gorge was in deep shadow, but we could see the various steps and ladders needed to get down into the gorge and the swim, wade or rock climb required to get to the pool at the end, where a waterfall currently struggles feebly down a wide expanse of black rock. It would be a spectacular fall to see in the wet. Apparently some of these stairs and ladders have only recently been added, but it still looks like the rock bit would be pretty challenging. The platform of the lookout has a gate section. Maybe so that it can be used for rescuing fallen hikers?
Back along the corrugated road we overtook Ev and Craig as we made a dash to the visitors centre- arriving at 3:58 (they close at 4:00) to buy a drumstick each and a cute emu mug for Erica.
Then a detour to drop off our rubbish, top up the water and use the water to do a bag of essential washing. We saw a dingo on the road as we drove the final leg back to the campsite.
We enjoyed communal nibbles with our travelling companions prior to a late tea and a much later dinner and bed time due to this, but it was lovely to sit and relax under the awning that Al and Zita had put up for their four night stay.
Luvapuzzle 