Day 2 of Karijini hiking

Woke up after a better nights sleep, it may have got a little warmer last night, maybe we just have gone numb with the cold and can just ignore it.

Pancakes for breakfast and get in the bus for the hour trip to Hancock Gorge.  This one held the most difficult and technical walk. Through and over water to the Amphitheatre, through the Spider Walk where we have to spread eagle ourselves against both sides of the narrow gorge over water and rocks to Kermits Pool.  This is the coldest water in the park and due to the fresh breeze in the early morning not everyone braved the swim Pam and I sat this one out, Chris and Emily were not so sensible and had a cold start to the day).  We all felt a huge sense of achievement on our return.
Again I have to apolgise for the number of photos (I just hope they are in some sort of right order, I'm sure someone will tell me if they're not).

The roads around Karijini.

Interesting walk down.

Knowing we have to come back up here is making us a little nervous.

Huge scenes.

Luke wondering why we are questioning his judgement?

The sights are worth it though.

Here we go again.

Difficult creek crossing this time.

Very difficult.

Worse yet to come.

Looks easy now.

Pam looking composed?

Not easy at all.

To the Amphitheatre, Luke breaking the news regarding our next challenge....The Spider Walk.

Water fall at the Amphitheatre.

Chris playing it cool.

This gives you an idea of the size and colours of the gorges.

Relaxing in the sun.

Watching the water.

Time to go.

Chris with no way forward and no way back.

All happy now.

Our group holding on for grim death.

To the Spider Walk.

Acting like spiders.

Pam the pack horse.

Getting towards the end of the spider stuff.

Another angle.

Our reward, crystal clear (and cold) waters.

Planning our excape out of this gorge.

And there's only one way out.

Luke explaining options.

The group waiting instructions.

Pam happy to have made it this far.

The gorge further on, no entry allowed.

Those silly people in for an early swim.

About to jump.

Even Luke had a swim.

Afternoon to Hamersley Gorge and a climb down into the gorge and over rocks to Spa Pool, an easier walk down into the gorge and to the warmest water in the park, swim across the pool and with much difficulty scramble up slippery rocks into Spa Pool.  Lots of laughter watching everyone slip and slide.

Home just before dark to get drinks and tea and face another freezing night.

With the end of our visit to Karijini I must admit it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Looking down into the gorge with people swimming in one of the water holes.

Near the first waterhole.

Ladder making swift work of it.

Looking down at the first ladder stop.

From the lookout.

Colours of the Kimberleys.

The pool where we swim.

The 'Spa Pool' in the hole at the back of the pool.

More colours.

Luke telling us how to do it.

Swimming to the Spa Pool.

Getting back to the bottom of the gorge for the climb back up.

Starting up again.

Emily with rocks.

To the top...and quickly, we are thirsty!!