Karijini National Park - Day 3

29th April 2013

Just when we thought the park or hiking could not get any better, along came Day 3 with 2 Class 5 hikes in the Weano and Hancock Gorges.

We had an early start today as the gorges we wanted to tackle were n the other side of the park which was about an hours drive on the corrugated gravel roads. We first went to Oxer and Junction lookouts which again were stunning and the gorge walls falling some 100m away below us. A one of the lookouts was a memorial to one of the rangers who had lost his life whilst rescuing someone out of Hancocks Gorge. This made us a little nervous about taking the kids into the gorge but they were very keen and so we set off.

We hiked into Weano Gorge first on route to the end of the trail to Handrail Pool. During the course of the next couple of hours we had to traverse rocks, swim through water holes and navigate tight narrow stretches of the gorge with flowing water at our feet. Again the girls were amazing and the feeling of adventure was with us all, it was truly a magical experience.

One of the many sections that had to be negotiated by swimming

The last section was to be done 'holding onto a handrail (hence the name) whilst climbing down a steep slippery rock face with flowing water into the pool and although the girls had been fantastic, it was a risk we were not prepared to take. We turned back and hiked back out of the gorge where we stopped, refuelled with lunch and prepared ourselves to tackle the next Class 5 hike down to Kermits Pool in Hancock Gorge.

This hike again was more of the same, the first major water obstacle saw us leave our bags behind, stripping off to our bathers and only carrying an IPhone across (held well above my head I might add) to take the must see photos. 

Another swim required

We made our way through the natural Amphitheatre before taking on the Spider Walk, another narrow section with water flowing under foot where the best way to get through is to walk with your hands & feet on the walls on either side (hence the name). This led to our finish point at Kermits Pool and we were all very excited to reach the finish line enjoying another well earned swim.

              

                          Just completed Spider Walk                                 Kermits Pool

The gorge continued on, but this was a Class 6, which is where a hard hat and climbing ropes are required, we were able to swim to the back of Kermits Pool and walk a little of the rock ledge to view this section, which looked awesome.

We hiked back out of the gorge and made our way back to camp, very satisfied with our days efforts. Again the photos will not do today justice and it really needs to be experienced to be believed, Rach & I commented several times that in all our travels it was definitely the best hiking we have ever done and we are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to experience such an amazing piece of Australia.