Kennedy Range and another sneaky camp on the way out.

After winching ourselves out of the bog we headed on more gravel road to Kennedy Range National Park. We ended up doing over 850kms on dirt road, from Tom Price to Mt Augustus then onto Kennedy Range and Daniel's shoulders were feeling it. Kennedy Range was very picturesque, imposing red sandstone cliffs dissected by step sided gorges, and it felt very remote (and very hot). The afternoon we arrived we did a late walk to Honeycomb Gorge, which showcases the eroded rock which looks like honeycomb. It was extremely hot and predicted to be again the next day so we decided to just get up early and do a walk then head towards Carnarvon and hopefully some respite from the heat, or at least a cold shower. 

I did the escarpment walk nice and early, nothing to compete with Daniel's 12km summit walk at Mt Augustus, but 1.6km ascending a rocky gorge without a defined trail over huge boulders was enough for me. When I returned we all did the Temple Gorge Trail. The kids highlight was finding a rock smoothed out by water flow and using it as a  slide!

After a lunch stop at the new Gascoyne Junction hotel we headed for Carnarvon  but decided to stop of at Rocky Pools, a permanent pool on the Gascoyne River. it was lovely and we decided that the No Camping signs only pertained to the main area, it we took a side track and got out of view we would be fine. After a well needed swim we relaxed by the river and took in the amazing view of the rising full moon reflected on the water. 

We made it through the night and out then the morning without getting busted then we headed for Carnarvon to stock up on fresh food. Whilst I shopped Daniel played with the kids at the great foreshore playground. We then found out how long the car battery will last charging the 2 car Engels and the caravan fridge and apparently it is not 2 hours! When Daniel went to come pick me up they were not going anywhere. Out came the solar panel and we sat in the carpark for half hour charging up. Then it was on towards Kalbarri to await the arrival of Damo and Mel.

Some of the intricate honeycomb rock.

Sweat and red dust = very grotty kids.

Climbing one of the lookouts

White clothes and red dust don't mix!

Dirty but still cute.

Bush toes, permanently dirty!

Summit Sunrise Selfie #1

Summit Sunrise Selfie #2

Looking down from the summit, we were camped in between the first 2 gorges.

Rock slide

PeekyBoo

This way home, follow me.

Full moon over Rocky Pool

The reflection was magical.

The balancing log where the kids entertained themselves at our sneaky camp at Rocky Pool.

Winched to hard ground.

Well getting bogged in hot, red river rocks in 35 deg heat in the dusty bush over 1km from the main road (a road on which we had only seen 2 cars on in our few days at Mt Augustus) initially caused me some angst. However I trusted that the thoroughly prepared and ever resourceful Daniel would find a way to get us out. So while the kids sat in air-conditioned comfort and watch a Peppa Pig marathon we dug out the tyres, used rocks and branches to try to give traction and slowly moved forward with the help of the maxx tracks. After about 30 min we were pouring sweat and we'd only moved about 5 metres so Daniel decided we had to take it to the next level. Out came the winch for its maiden use. Without hesitation it inched us out and we were safe on the hard edges of the river. Even though it was only 10.30 by this stage both Daniel and I looked at each other and said how we would kill for a cold beer. Icy cold water and Solo had to suffice and after a swim in the nearby Cattle Pool to wash the dirt and sweat off we were on our way to the Kennedy Range National Park. Disaster averted.

** I wish to apologise to Daniel Katz for the misinformation printed in the last blog. He actually completed the hike to the summit of Mt Augustus is 2hrs 20min not 2.5hours as I incorrectly stated. I have been duly admonished for my failure to acknowledge the amazing sporting prowess of my wonderful fiancé.

River rocks and sand = a sinking car and van

First try - Maxx Tracks and digging

Snatch strap and winch to the rescue

We are moving - HOORAY

Uluru's bigger, but less popular, brother.

After an epic 8 hours in the car we arrived at the very impressive Mt Augustus (Burringurrah), apparently the largest rock in the world. It is twice the size of Uluru, covering over 4500 hectares, rising over 1km above sea level and measuring 8km in length. We were determined to bush camp and found a great spot on a dry river bed where we could still see the colossal rock and watch the setting sun change its colours. We even had a fire, only to cook on though as we certainly didn't want to sit around it as it had been 39 deg and the evenings didn't cool down until about 3am. With no power we didn't even have the luxury of our small fans so we resorted to wet tops and hair to try to get cool enough to sleep.

Anyway back to the rock. The next day we did the 49km drive around Mt Augustus and did several of the walks into gorges and dry creek beds to see some of the engraved rock. Burringurrah holds spiritual significance to the local Wajarri people and you can see how their ancestors would have found this place special. The nearby permanent waterhole also added to the area's appeal and it was named Cattle Pool for its use by drovers in the early 1900's. After our hot morning walking we spent the afternoon there swimming with Jackson having his day sleep in a wet hammock under some shady trees. It was here that the mouse saga finally reached the end (I hope anyway). So during the morning after we got back from each of our walks we had been pumping the air con, particularly the rear vents to cool the kids off. Well each time it started the smell was so bad I was convinced we had a dead mouse in the air con unit but could not quite believe one had squeezed inside the vent. So I was in the back of the car looking for something when I pulled a bag out and nearly vomited from the smell. I didn't look any closer but called the mouse slayer up to inspect. Well squashed down near the rear air vent was a rigid, very dead and extremely smelly mouse. After a lot of baby wipes and even more Glen 20 out car smells less like dead animal and more like the sweaty, dirty children smell we are used too. I am praying my mice ordeal is over!

The next morning Daniel got up super early and did the Summit walk, completing the 12km walk (that takes you up 650m from the car park and is meant to take 6 hours due to the rock scrambling needed) in only 2.5 hours. After he got back we packed up ready to go to Kennedy Range National Park, if only we could get out of this river bed...........

The impressive Mt Augustus

Helping each other walk the rocks

This rock became their cubby for awhile.

The view from inside the rocky cave Daniel and I were cooling down in.

Hanging off Mt Augustus

Our prime location free camp on a dry river bed

The view from the summit after Daniel'e early morning climb

Summit Selfie

Steamy Pilbara Nights........

No, not that kind of steamy unfortunately. Steamy as in so hot that you sweat while laying in bed and you pray for just the slightest of breeze to drift through the open windows to at least give you some relief. Our $5 mini fans from Big W have served us well but they don't quite cut it on 30deg nights. Due to the heat we altered our plans to stay in Karijini National Park and instead stayed for 4 nights at Tom Price where we had power to run our little fans and a pool that was open until 9pm for a pre-bed cool off.

Our first day was spent replenishing groceries and enjoying the pool. In the afternoon we headed up the 4wd track to the top of Mt Nameless, the highest accessible mountain in WA. The view of the surrounding ranges was spectacular. We also got a birds eye view of some of the nearby mines and the exceptionally long trains they use to carry out the iron ore. We enjoyed a picnic dinner watching the setting sun give the red rock such vivid colours. Jackson added a bit of excitement to the night by wedging a small rock up his nose. After a minor panic he managed to blow it out but we suspect this will not be the first time our inquisitive boy sticks something where it is not meant to go!

Mt Nameless (view from our van)

On top of Mt Nameless, the kids were more interested in throwing rocks than the view.

Daniel checking out the mines.

Looking over the mines

When not throwing them he was using them to build.......

......and stick up his nose.

Sunset, hot chook, chilled wine and cuddles.....Lovely.

We then did day trips to see the spectacular gorges in Karijini. On our first trip in we did  two gorges (Dales Gorge and Weano Gorge), three swimming holes (Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls and Handrail Pool), three lookouts (Oxer, Junction Pool and Joffre) and over 5km of walking on some very challenging tracks. The kids did amazing as some of the tracks were rated class 5 (for experienced bush walkers). Cleary all their time rock hopping through the Kimberley has given them the experience they needed as they were super confident shimmying along rocky cliff faces, hoping over rocks to get over streams and clambering down steep ledges to get into swimming holes. We were so proud of them and their confidence and ability allowed us to get to some really amazing spots. Our favourite was Handrail Pool, a small pool surrounded by 70-80metre high red rock accessed via a narrow crevice in the the gorge then straight down the rocks holding onto a handrail (hence the unimaginative name). We had the place to ourselves and it was just magical

Mr Independent would not let Dad help on the ladder into Dales Gorge

Clambering up the rocks towards Circular Pool.

A refreshing dip was much needed after the hot walk in.

A very unusual rock formation.

Fortescue Falls

Inside Weano Gorge, on our way down a narrow crevice towards Handrail Pool.

Jackson was very taken with the camouflaged grasshopper he found.

Handrail Pool, it was so still the reflections were amazing.

The reflections of the rocks created a surreal atmosphere.

Watching pebbles create sparkly splashes.

It was a very steep climb back out.

Gorge Selfie (we don't have a selfie stick like all the tourist though so had to do the old fashioned thing of sitting it on a rock)

After our 12 hour day we spent the next morning lazily recuperating and utilising the pool (where unfortunately Jackson got bitten by a bee trying to save it from drowning) before heading to Hamersley Gorge where we spent the afternoon.

We leave tomorrow morning headed towards Mt Augustus and hopefully some cooler nights (though we've stocked the freezer with ice cream just in case!).

Braids in for a few weeks equal very curly locks.

Lunch at Hamersley Gorge

Hamersley Gorge