Day 6

5.30am the alarms sounded and we were on the road by 6.30 am. The whole day was basically spent driving the 600 km to Karijini National Park. We saw a 3m long black headed python crossing the road. Even though it is not venomous, it has adapted some of the mannerisms of venomous snales and as we were all taking photos it decided to strike, lets just says a few of the girls let of some screams!

The majority of the dirve followed the Hammersley Ranges. We stopped at Tom Price - one of the two major mining towns in the area and stocked up on supplies (including alcohol for the next 3 days) before we entered the park.

Arrived at the campsite just before sunset, in time to unpack beofre it got dark. Found out very shortly that everything was wet including the floor of our tent, as it had rained during the day. Ignored the wetness and got dinner underway - chicken curry which was very nice. The night threatened rain and you couldn't see the stars anyway so we slept in the tents.

Day 7

Woke up to the sound of rain - not good. Didn't get up with sunrise instead we lay in bed for a bit to see what the weather would do.

The weather didn't clear so it was a trip to the visitors centre. The guys at the visitors centre adviced that we didn't do the walks down the gorges that we had planned because the rocks would be too slippery.

So it was Plan B, instead of walking down into Dales Gorge we just went to the view point and saw Fortesque Falls from there. Then we did the circular walk from the top, which was still pretty impressive.

After a spot of lunch we went to Kalamina Gorge and actually managed to get down into the gorge because the rain had stopped and there were glimmers of sunshine. It was very pretty and you got a good impression of how high up we were in the morning once you were down in the gorge.

In the evening it was 'Goon Park'. 'Goon' is the cheap boxes of wine that the backpackers drink out here. Needless to say it was a very funny night. I'll get Rose to put up the photos!

Day 8

Woke up with a little bit of a goon hangover to another overcast day. Bacon, eggs and baked beans was on the menu for breakfast which was just what we all needed.

After breakfast we walked from camp to the first gorge of the day - Weano Gorge. We walked down to Joffre Falls. It was a bit of a taxing walk down - clambering over the rocks but it was worth it to get to the bottom. After we had all taken photos and skimmed stones at the bottom we climbed back up to the top. Once at the top the sun decided to come out so we spent some time sunbathing on the rocks at the top of the falls. It was very relaxing.

After lunch back at the camp we went to another part of Weano Gorge in the afternoon to do our class 5 walk. It was quite challenging. At one point we had to leave our bags and take our shoes and socks off and go bare foot - apparently you have better grip that way, it didn't feel like it! We had to climb down what i can only describe as like a water slide, holding onto a handrail, it was incredibly slippery. Once you got near to the bottom, you had to absail down the last bit with a rope, all very exciting. Some of the group went for a dip in the freezing waters of Handrail Pool at the bottom. After chilling out at the bottom for a while it was time to go back up. Yeah that didn't go so well for me. As i was trying to go back up the rope i lost my balance and ended up under the waterfall, with not even a bruise to show for it!

Chilled out at the camp in the evening. As it was a clear night we slept out under the stars.

And that was Days 6 - 8.