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Build on 11/05/2002, last update on 23/04/2023.

Down in Down Under - Diary - 29/04/03

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adventure through the centre of earth

On todays schedule we had a nice hike: down into Hancock gorge, then through the gorge to Junction pool, through there and on the other side 24m up at a water fall into Weano gorge. Afterwards along this gorge and back to sea level - the waterfall and the last part to Junction pool, the so called miracle mile, where supposed to be the most demanding and dangerous parts, and everybody advises against doing this. After we got some more information from the ranger last night, we decided to go for it today anyway.
So first of all we went down into Hancock gorge. The first few metres down there the gorge is still very wide and easily accessable. But then after a first little pool, it suddenly gets very narrow and you can either follow the steps through the water or start to look for you own way climbing along the walls to stay dry. This was the first warm-up for us. From there we went past a few more little pools more or less climbing all the time until the so called level two started - "for experienced walkers & climbers only." Then we kept on following the course of the gorge and a little bit later we arrived at Junction pool. Now it was time for a swim. We packed all valuables waterproof and plunged into the freezing water. After we had succesfully crossed the pool and nearly all clothes and valuables stayed dry, we had a short break. Then we went into the direction of the waterfall and next to it up into Weano gorge. This climb is supposed to be pretty dangerous and two people apperently already died climbing up there. However, if you go for the right way, I think it is pretty easy. A little bit later we were already up at the gorges entrance and quite suprised, as we expected some harder climbing. Then we went along Weano gorge, which at some spots is really narrow, crossing a few more pools. As we stayed dry until here, we of course wanted to leave it like this. So the rope finally served us a few times as well and mainly carried our backpacks from on dry spot to the next one. Freed from the backpacks we finally could even pass some critical spots without getting wet at all. The Handrail pool however worked out to be insurmountable. So we at least wanted to try to keep the backpacks dry and set up some kind of cablecar. After a few attempts we were successful and finally could enjoy a nice and cool bath at the end of this adventurous part of our hike. Afterwards we went along Weano gorge, which was getting wider and wider until the way out and the adventure gorge hike was succesfully completed.
Now we went to the other end of Karijini nationalpark to have a quick look into Dales gorge for "knocking-off time". The Circular pool is looking quite spectacular from the lookout. The hike down into the gorge however was postponed until tomorrow. Then we went to the camp ground just nearby.

The pictures: ---pictures---
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---28/04/03--- | table of content | ---30/04/03---