10, 11 and 12…
What a mission. We have had no signal so we have not been able to send the blog posts.
Day 10
Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge.
The walk of Wally’s life. Wally. Cindy, myself, Melinda and Eli set off from Camp at 7.15am. With Vonna, Pallen and Tim helping Dirk with packing the Ranger and bringing up the rear at 8.15.
It was probably the easiest day so far (but that is not to say that it was easy). 13.5 km in the sun with some spectacular limestone ridges which for me were quite dangerous with narrow parts and a 10 meter drop offs.
Wally, being straight out of hospital, was very slow (about 1.5 kilometres an hour. Having to rest every 20 metres on the up hill sections. But no coughing up blood thankfully. He had two or three hypoglycaemic episodes which were quickly dealt with with jellybeans.
He came in to camp for a hero’s welcome.
Day 11
Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam
Mike (camera man) walked out with us in the early morning as far as a big steep hill to the west of Serpentine Gorge. This led to a broad ridge which had sections of fossilised beach and was obviously part of an ancient seabed.
My middle toe on my left foot seemed to be dislocating. This is due to my hammer toe (walking on the tips of my toes due to my spasticity) and was hurting intensely. And here I was on top of a mountain!
I snoozed and did some footcare and pain relief whilst the others went to Counts Point, with its famous view of the parallel ridges leading to Mount Sonder.
It was a steep descent and I did fall once but remained unscathed luckily.
At the base of the mountain the afternoon heat begin and it was a long walk through undulating country to a dusty campsite.
Day 12
Serpentine Chalet Dam to Orminston Gorge
There is no water at the next camp (Waterfall Gully) which means that we would each have to carry 2 days worth of water (9 Litres) to our camping gear. Some others could not do this so we sent the ‘A’ Team of Vonna, Pallen and Tim to do two days in one – 28.5 km!
We are Now at Ormiston Gorge awaiting their arrival. I am thinking that they will arrive just before dark and very tired.
They arrived!
All had blisters and had to put the tarp up as a sunshade in the heat of the day. It sounded Really tough.
Vonna said “that is the last time that anyone convinces her to do two days in one!”
Day 13
Rest day!
