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| Yours truly at the top |
Breakfast again included the bacon and eggs, even in this remote site and again we were off after having broken camp ie i.e. dropped the tents and packed them up.
The Spinifex Tongs went from Vicki to Peter Solomon......
Once again off at 7.45AM with a sandy creek walk to get us in the mood, to reach the track and our turn off. An easy start, past Mintbush Spring to Stuart’s Pass that was where Charles MacDowell Stewart managed to find a pass through the ranges that bear his name.
Then began the ascent of Brinkley Bluff, the highest point on the Trail.
Initially, a steep ascent up to a saddle, then a disappointing loss of height to looks into the cycad valley revealed at Rocky Cleft, then the climb up Brinkley proper, with the track zigzagging its way up the steep slope. In fact it zigzagged so much the front group went zigging, when they should have zagged. A very alert back marker saw the error and took the correct route, followed by some of the back people, arriving at the summit some 10 minutes before the misled group.
Brinkley Bluff showed magnificent views all around and precipitated an early lunch to soak them up. The log book showed Jeremy Carter, a Friends’ member had camped there some weeks ago.
A four kilometre ridge top walk to Reveal Saddle then a constant descent into a rocky creek for the walk out to Standley Chasm.
A welcome Magnum ice cream whilst awaiting the bus, sitting resting tired feet and sore legs.
Our remote camps were over and it would be showers tonight in Alice.
The MacDonnell Ranges Caravan Park is a true cut above Glen Helen, spacious rooms with carpet, bed lights and cupboards that don’t collapse, a large common room.
My boots still hadn’t come in, however to date the glued Scarpa’s were doing well and may even see the walk to its completion
David the driver was buggered after packing and moving, so dinner was at the one of the local clubs with a couple of large beers.
Back at base a few wines and some port followed for one of our most successful alcohol free days!!
Simon's thouight of the day-Life is a research project
Pictures to follow
Looking forward to the photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out!
Ice cream, gosh, even I'm jealous here at home, it a well rewarded ice cream indeed. Pub meal too, glorious.
Tomorrow there is a short cut... the Larapinta Trail goes above Standley Chasm, a looong way above (kinda like Rocky Cleft/Brinkley Bluff trick), to return just 200m north of the rope at the end of Standley Chasm... just sayin'