SUNDAY 09/06/13 - KINGS CANYON

Fantastic we woke up to some warmth and we both got out out T-shirts for a change.

After breakfast it was off to Kings Canyon to do possibly a couple of walks.  We are some 32 klm from Kings Canyon and we could see the results of fires early this year, started by lightning ….there is nothing left on the ground except red sand and the surviving upright casuarinas.  The fire has burnt right up to the resort – our helicopter pilot told us yesterday that they had to evacuate the resort residents to Alice Springs – some 300+klm away on partially unsealed roads.

Dot was getting apprehensive about which walk she would do…….wanting desperately to do the canyon rim, but was worried about her hip & knee and fitness.  The rim walk is 6klm in a suggested time of 3.50 hours.  First part of the rim was  a 100 metre ascension to the canyon rim, up rocky steps, which we could see before we started.  One of our friends tells us that there are 800 vertical steps, not sure if he counted them or read it somewhere.

Dot decided she was going to attempt this walk, after seeing a number of oldies taking it on, but also to prove to those who said she would not be able to do it, wrong!!!!.   So we took off with many resting stops on the way…the heart was thumping over the latter part of getting to the canyon rim.  The scenery is spectacular and diverse – especially when you arrive above the Garden of Eden with its reflective pools.  The first part of the walk on the canyon rim was comfortable with some shade and delightful cooling breezes.  However once we got beyond halfway, we both found it hard going as there was no shade and the temperatures were rising.  Our water ran out around about 1 klm from the carpark.  You definitely need plenty of water to undertake these walks. 

Dot Here……..

We took 3 hrs 50 mins, Michael could have done it faster, I was the stone around his neck, however, I DID IT!  We saw another couple (oldies like us) take off before us and we caught and passed them on the way back , so we weren’t the slowest.  Others found it difficult too.  However, those under 30 almost ran around it.  I was very envious.  I am buggered!

Michael again…..

Dot was very proud of herself in achieving this canyon walk.    We drove back to Kings Creek Station and just veged for a couple of hours before having a tasty camel burger for tea.