3^rd August: Karajini

It was rather chilly last night. Glen complained of being cold. So I have dug out our winter night wear for tonight. Actually, a wind blew all day and that kept the temperature low and so we didn't feel inclined to swim in any of the waterholes today. We both erected our toilet/shower tents to have a warm shower. Gail's kept blowing away and so both tents ended up being tied to the annex legs. In fact, Gail's is under her awning. It was worth it! The water had been warmed in those black shower bags and we both have electric pumps. A lovely warm shower! Solar power works well out here!

Today, we drove the 55 kms of decent dirt road to the Junction Lookout which is 100 metres above the point where 5 gorges meet. It is a fantastic view but one that is so hard to photograph. The contrasts are so great that the photo is full of black shadows or totally washed out. The lookout is all fenced off now but we are sure we took the children out onto a point further out. We must have been mad!! The Hancock, Weano, Red, Joffre, Wittenoon and Knox all come together at this point. But unless you abseil down , and for that you need a permit, it is difficult to get down to this meeting place. It can be done by walking along Weano for some hours but there are embargos on hiking right along some gorges. 

 

These gorges were all formed when the sedementary range was lifted up 2,700 million years ago. The earth surface literally cracked open and it looks like it! Rivers have since worn away the floor of the gorges more and. In places, created overhangs that then collapsed. But some gorges are still only a metre ot two wide, especially at this junction. We climbed down into Weano and then walked, scrambled and rock hopped along it. (It is a Grade 4 walk which I can manage.) There were some fantastic pools along the way but they were full of noisy European youths including a group of particularly boorish young Englishmen. (Gail told them off at Fern Pool the day before because they were disturbing the peace with their loud foul language in what was supposed to be a sacred aboriginal place.) Weano is a magic place but, because it is accessible, it was very busy. I'm a bit selfish: I would love to be there by myself as it was 37 years ago!

We climbed up. It was an effort for me as all the steps are made for giants – or tall people at least! After lunch, we checked out the Eco Retreat which is a very costly commercial venture with sarari tents, camp sites and cabins. A favourite overnight spot for tour buses. Then we went on to Joffre Falls and Gorge . We didn't climb down as it was Grade 5

difficulty and it looked it! But it was very pretty and very different. Knox was also different again and a Grade 5 climb down over a scree slope. So, we went onto Kalamina. We know our limits! If we had more time we would probably spend a day trying but I am sure I would slip and it would be a disaster! It was too late by the time we arrived at Kalamina as it is a 3 hr walk. We will go back tomorrow as we were all too tired to enjoy it.

We collected water at theVisitor Centre and went back to the vans to find that nothing had blown away today. Good! We had driven150 kms and walked a few more and so drinkies were very welcome!