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Monday 15 June 2009

Climb Every Mountain ...



15th June – Monday

A “bucket list” day today – Les and Cat climbed Ayers Rock! Cloudy and windy this morning, but not as cold as yesterday. Only needed a skivvy and windcheater today, not the skivvy, woollen jumper, polar fleece jacket and gloves of yesterday! Cat decided to stay with the fur coat.

Headed straight to the climb this morning and the boys prepared themselves for the long, steep climb ahead – lots of water, jungle jellies and dinosaurs went into the pack, along with the two way radio and telephone. I was quite happy to sit in the car, watch the people and read a book for two hours. They eventually reappeared over the ridge and started down. I was following with the binoculars and looked away for ten seconds and during that time Les disappeared. Bit of a panic, couldn’t see him at the bottom of the rock, so called on the two way. He had decided to have a little lay down in a hollow! Jelly legs were the order of the day following the return to desert level.

We headed out to the Olgas, about 50 km away. These are just as stunning as Ayers Rock, only different. Stopped for the obligatory photo shoot before heading to the first car park and the site of the only toilets at the Olgas. Toilets are very few and far between, considering the large number of tourists. There is only one site at Ayers Rock as well and after walking around the base of the Rock for 3 ½ hours, Cat definitely had his legs crossed!

We had lunch at the car park for the Walpa Gorge Walk, before setting out on this one hour walk along the bottom of the gorge. The going was fairly rough and uneven, with a bit of a climb to start with (and 873,291 flies for company) before we entered the shade of the steep walls. There was a small stream and rock pools, along with vegetation and two birds. The lack of wild life has been quite amazing.

Returned to Yulara for a bit of a rest (for some), talked to Diane, then the whiskey bottle appeared!

Tomorrow we are off to Kings Canyon.

1 comment:

Dave said...

You guys are definitely covering some territory now! You'll be glad to know that it's also rather cold here! And at least it hasn't rained for a couple of days!