Day 14 Standley Chasm to Jay Creek

The waterfall

An early start as we have quite a hard day. Simon slept well with his dulcet snoring running through the night; HOWEVER I had an attack of the restless legs and slept badly.
The tenters all snored like mad so I am told!
An early start meant a chilly start though a hotter day was predicted, and so it proved.
The trip out to Standley Chasm was quick, the Spinifex Tongs went to Jo for sharing her massage skills with people who were suffering. When are we going to get a really controversial nomination.
Meanwhile I was trying to get the group through Standley Chasm, as it appears that walkers can  now no longer us the Chasm to continue the Larapinta. I thought I had gained permission, until he chased us and refused to let us proceed.
So it was up and over the Chasm, missing the highlights that cost others $10.00.

So began a hard hot day.
A steady climb up to Gastrolobium Saddle, followed by some interesting climbs down waterfall faces using various ledges and steps. Good stuff.
Then some creek walking, boulders and stones and ankle  twisting territory.
At Millers Flat we had a choice to do the alternative high route, or the normal route through the valley, which involved another climb to Tangentyere Junction.
It was a day of creek walking with sand and rocks.
By this time shady lunch spots were hard to find however we managed some shade, and during lunch Colin managed to fall over!
Then on to Fish Hole a delightful waterhole between a small chasm, that required another climb to get from one side to the other. Some bathed their sore feet whilst others just sat  in the shade and looked on.
Then began a tedious sandy creek walk to Jay Creek, a campsite with delightfully cool tank water and then another monotonous walk along a property track to Hamilton Downs car park.
Tired people on the bus, most slept on the way home via the Tanami Road back to Alice Springs.
A mad rush for the showers and many tired faces at dinner.
Simon's thoughts of the day-Life is a rock