Kata Tjuta National Park

Aug 19th:  We had a 5:15 a.m. wake up call, stumbling in the dark to a large building across from the campsite that housed showers and toilets to freshen up.  We ate a quick communal breakfast, then drove to a lookout for a sunrise viewing between Uluru and the rock formations known as The Olgas, or Kata Tjuta ('many heads').  The Olgas are another holy site and little of their spiritual/dreamtime stories are shared with outsiders.  Uluru sits 25 kms to the east and we were able to see both formations on this clear morning.

The Olgas

Uluru

From there we headed into Kata Tjuta National Park.  We would be hiking either 4 or just under 8 kms through the Olgas, depending on which route we chose, and our guide wanted to get an early start to avoid the heat expected by late morning.

We'd been warned the hike would be an uneven, rocky adventure that had steep climbs and declines.  Everyone in our small group opted for the lengthier trail - even Estelle, the lovely French woman who wore 4 inch wedgies!

Goran and I tended to walk ahead of the group at a brisker pace, though Estelle was (surprisingly) always close behind.  We also got to know Julia (Jules) and Chris, the Melbournians who now lived in Darwin.  If we weren't talking or heaving from some of the climbs, the Valley of Winds was peacefully quiet.

You ready for this hill?  It's steeper than it looks.

We reached the end of our trek shortly before noon, having passed only less than 10 people along the way.  Now, however, the entrance to the trails were filled with visitors, some wearing flip flops!  The sun was high and, with no breeze until well into the walk, the heat was sharp.  Although Estelle had proven me wrong and reached the trail exit 5 minute after us, for these new hikers I imagined a day that included twisted ankles and rescue helicopters.

Goran, Estelle, Chris and Jules waiting for the sunset in front of Kata Tjuta

We drove out of the park, retrieved our belongings from the campsite, said our goodbyes to our amiable desert companions and headed back to Alice Springs. 

That evening, we enjoyed a simple, though delicious dinner at an Italian restaurant and went to bed early.  Tomorrow, we head to Melbourne.