Day 3 Redbank Gorge to Mount Sonder

Wakey wakey was at 6.30AM with breakfast at 7.00AM. Some pretty sleepy faces emerged from the tents, yet most seemed to sleep well. I certainly did, apart from the early hours run to the loo.
Breakfast was pretty good, large variety of cereals, porridge and then bacon and eggs.
The final flurry of getting ready, curses as long gaiters, long NOT worn, were being put on, and not fitting, and we were off just a bit late.
Drive to Redbank was pretty with Mont Sonder, our goal, well in view off to the north.
The start of the walk was delayed by the briefing and the explanation of the awards for the trek. The Spinifex Award for the most significant event or occurrence through the day. The award, a pair of BBQ tongs to assist the removal of Spinifex from various buttock that have the misfortune to find themselves residing in a patch of the said bush.

The Spinifex Tonds ward

The first award was given to Russell O’Brien, who knitted his own beanie following instructions from You-tube.
It was chilly and windy through Redbank Gorge, and after a short walk along Redbank Creek, brilliant red hues along the gorge and finally our path blocked by a rock pool that prevented further access to the gorge that looked pretty and narrow. It was intriguing to see a life preserver on the bank of the creek.
Then, as is Simon’s whim, we bush-bashed out of the creek to pick up the Larapinta in its ascent to Mount Sonder.
Then ensued a steady climb, with various ridge-line and saddles to be negotiated, with the views opening up with each climb.
Morning tea at the Mount Sonder Lookout, still a chilly wind kept up with us, however with ascent progressing the day warmed.
The Mount Sonder summit is not actually reached on this walk, rather the south peak of Mount Sonder.
Having struggled up to the top, much to some of the women's amusement Colin was heard to exclaim "What an orgasmic climax"!

Lunch at the top, and the chance to  talk as there was a Telstra connection, presumably through from Alice Springs.
The longest lunch I can recall with the Friends then took place with an hour lazing looking at the view, 360 panorama, on top of the work, apart from the fact that the real summit lay about 850m across a treacherous looking saddle.
The wind had dropped, the day warmed and we then had the descent back to the Redbanks Camping ground and the bus.
A long rather slow exercise, as a number of the walkers didn’t seem that confident with rocky path. Interesting to watch how people use their sticks. Some just wave them around without then actually contacting terra firma, and then try and awkwardly step down, other leaning back as they attempt to go forward. No wonder at times it was slow.
The track is well marked, rocky and HARD.
I think most had sore feet.

Simon's thought for the day-Who Cares Wins