Larapinta 8: Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge

Today was a bit weird because we walked West to East. We voted to do this with the aim of finishing up at Ellery big Hole again for a refreshing dip.

Swimming was hard to contemplate in the morning. The temperature had dropped overnight and we were all really cold.

The walk started with a climb up to an outlook over Serpentine Gorge. Then it was a pleasant 15km or so back to Ellery big Hole again. Small days have meant gentle walking, but it is still up and down on rough track. We also did manage to get slightly lost a couple of times. The signage has been generally excellent, but not perfect.

Lunch at Trig Point was spectacular. One interesting thing is that we have walking through tons of Buffel Grass. It is pretty with the Sun on it, but it is entirely invasive. It was brought in for cattle to graze on and now is everywhere. 300 years agio the landscaper would have been entirely different. We have seeen some of the original spinifex landscaper but it is becoming sadly rarer. Not, I have to say, that I am much of a fan of the spinifex, we all have splinters to show for how pointed it is.

After another freezing swim at Ellery the guides had a surprise for us (which it would honestly have been handy to know earlier). They had arranged for us to sneak into one of World Expeditions luxury camps and have a hot shower. Pretty nice.

We covered 15.5km today.