Posts Tagged ‘Wilpena Pound’

Day 461. 81km. Wilpena Pound – Elder Ranges

Posted: September 25, 2016 in Australia, Cycling
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Today I was not motivated. The Mawson Trail was always beautiful, but bumpy in parts, and I just couldn’t be bothered. I was eyeing off the short-cut to Hawker, but was talked out of it. Cycling through the grassy fields with the rocky mountains as backdrop in the evening light made it all worth it. Still, a comfortable bed and a hot shower would be nice soon.

Mawson Trail in the evening light

Mawson Trail in the evening light

The Mawson Trail is a bit fractal around Wilpena Pound going 5 steps forward and 4 steps back. We returned to the main road from Port Augusta to Marree only 50km from where we turned off at Parachilna to enter the Flinders Ranges. Before that, we skirted the outside of Wilpena Pound, and then passed between the pound and the Elder Ranges – another line of rocky outcrop mountains. When the rain-looking clouds were gathering, and the wind was again a headwind, I found my motivation dwindling to leave the beautiful smooth bitumen road that was only 30km from Hawker, to cycle down a dirt, corrugated road in the opposite direction. I am here to enjoy the landscape, and the main roads certainly aren’t as nice.

Elder Ranges Road

Elder Ranges Road

Maybe an early night will fix my blues.

Day 460a. Wilpena Pound

Posted: September 24, 2016 in Australia
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I got to the top of the rocky outcrop towering over the spectacular landscape and looked down. There was Clement, waving frantically perched on a small rock jutting out from the cliff face. I needed to get there too. Cliff face scrambling at St Mary Peak.

Spot me in this picture - Wilpena Pound

Spot me in this picture – Wilpena Pound

St Mary Peak at Wilpena Pound is one of my favourite places in Australia. From the top, you have a spectacular 360 degree view of the circle of mountains that is Wilpena Pound, and also the ridge of mountains that stretches into the distance that form Bunyeroo and Brachina gorges (as well as many others). The rain and hail had stopped by the time we got to the top, so we were able to enjoy the view for lunch, our feet dangling over the edge.

Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound

St Mary Peak

St Mary Peak

We returned via the interior of the pound – another feast of amazing views.

Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound

Other than the amazing walk, we were excited to run into Alex and Alaine again – our friends we met in Oodnadatta and camped with on the moon plain. In the evening we had another interesting talk with a couple, the woman of which collects mannequin heads. Rather an unusual hobby..

Alex and Alaine

Alex and Alaine

Day 460. 59km. Bull Hill– Wilpena Pound

Posted: September 23, 2016 in Australia, Cycling
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Today was wet and cold. Our plans of visiting Brachina and Bunyeroo gorges along small, beautiful roads were foiled by cold rain, wind and ever-muddying roads. We aborted our plans and headed to the main road, and pushed on through the cold to Wilpena where we hung out in the cafeteria all afternoon.

Pine trees in the rain

Pine trees in the rain

It was also my anniversary of leaving Eindhoven. I’ve now been on the road for two years, and the end is getting very close.