Hancock Gorge

We started off today hot and tired, covered in red dust and flies, and a bit cranky to boot.

Joseph and the others were adamant this morning that we had to move on today. "we've had enough!" declared Joseph.  "We want a powered caravan park.  Even better, how about we just go home!" It wasn't working doing the schoolwork in the heat with the flies, so we thought it might be wise to head out towards the coast.

We packed up the campsite, bit by bit.  Clearing off the bed ends, folding away the chairs and sweeping the ants off the floor mat.  Ate our breakfast behind the van, in the shade.  Shade makes a huge difference to the heat, and I'm learning to move to it, not just sit where the chairs are and hope for the best!

Once we were all ready,  we checked with the camp hosts if it would be okay to leave the van for the day while we drove to the other gorges in the park, had a quick look, and headed off this afternoon.  "Sure," they said "just leave us the keys and a cold beer in the fridge.". They get pretty hot out here, too.  Unfortunately we had no cold drinks for them, but they said it was okay anyway.  Nice.

On the way out of this campsite we stopped at the water tank to fill all our water bottles up.  Yesterday on our afternoon walk we really didn't carry enough water, and on a middle of the day hike we wanted to be prepared.  We had water in the caravan that we'd put in at 80 mile beach, but I couldn't drink it.  It was really salty or something and I couldn't swallow.  It must have been bore water, and we'd filtered it before putting it in the van, but it was still yuck.  I was a bit worried that it was so hot and I was struggling to drink enough.  Sunday night Grant had come and filled up some Jerry cans at the water tank and it tasted much better, so here we were.

The water tank is on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, and when we arrived the dripping tap had attracted a huge swarm of bees.  They were swarming all over the tap, flying around in the air, and under the tap on the  ground around a tiny muddy puddle.  Grant stood there looking for a little, trying to work out how to get close enough to pick up the hose, and then turn the tap without being attacked by a mass of angry bees.  They have such an intimidating  hum.  He looked like we might be there a while, as h e began putting on sneakers and protective gear, so I thought I would lend a hand, and we filled up the jerry cans and drink bottles lickety split. Some things you just have to do yourself.

Satisfactorily loaded with water, we drove the 45 km dirt road out to the Weano Gorge area.  Whoever came up with that name should be shot!  We know not who.  In fact, we know nothing....  You get the idea of the jokes we c ame up with all the way there.

We're in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, surrounded by the Hammersley Ranges.  They are rolling green and red hills with the same line of red ridges as the ranges further north.  They are stunning to look at, particulary as the surrounding area is so flat, covered in spinifex and the occasional scrubby eucalyptus tree.  The range just stands out.

We detoured past a few lookouts, taking in Joffre Gorge and Knox Gorge, but our goal was to get to Hancock Gorge and try to walk down into it and along the spider walk for a swim.

Nadine Overlooking Joffre Gorge

Pulling into the carpark we were met with the usual expanse of dry, red dirt, spinifex, and corrugated iron toilets.  It was hot, and getting on for 11 o'clock.  I was wondering how wise we were, setting off with young kids into this gorge, but we went anyway.

Cooper and the others did a remarkable job of climbing down the steep, rock steps, down the iron ladder, over creeks and slippery boulders, and then swimming through the narrow gorge (Cooper and I went along the rocky ledge) to the final destination, Kermit's pool. It was a lovely walk, we took our time and really enjoyed ourselves.  Down in the gorge by the water it was much cooler, there is shade from the rock walls, and there are less flies.  It was actually the right time to go for our walk after all.  

Grant walking Cooper through the Gorge

Hancock Gorge Narrows

Jo and Dom swimming through Hancock Gorge

Grant helping Cooper past the swimming section

Dom looking back through Hancock Gorge

Resting after the swim

Sitting for Lunch around the 'Auditorium'

Heading into Spider Gorge

Jo and Dom in Spider Gorge

Walking through Spider Gorge

Near Kermit's pool was a slippery rock 'slide' and the kids all enjoyed slipping along it on their rear ends.  Dominic climbed a little higher, aiming to cross behind the pool, slipped with his wet feet, and slid down a metre or two on his bottom.  He is a bit bruised tonight.

Sliding into Kermit Pool

We had such a lovely time.  On the way out in the car we stopped at one more lookout, viewing the junction of the four gorges in the area.  It was here  in 2004  that they retrieved the body of a State Emergency Worker who was drowned in a flash flood that occurred at 4am while they were rescuing someone in the bottom of the gorge.  Signs at the start of the walks all say that if there is rain in the area, get out of the gorge quickly.

Heading back to the campsite, we passed Mt Bruce (a most distinguished name for a mountain) and stopped where we could get internet and phone reception to talk to Katie. It sounds like she is doing really well.  Go, Katie, Go.

By the time we got back to the campsite, it was almost 6pm and the camp hosts were a bit worried about us.  They'd even driven up to our van to check if we'd come back from the gorge!  They were the ones who said we should be ok taking the kids on the Hancock gorge walks and felt a bit responsible.  Anyway, we let them know we were safe, and that we'd stay an extra night (much to Joseph's disgust) and head off in the morning. 

There is a breeze this evening, so less bugs.  The stars are sparkling in the sky and the campsite is quiet and dark.  We're so glad we stayed the extra day.  Now we can agree with Rowan who told us Karijini was a beautiful place.
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Vicki