Day 5/S4 – Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole

Today was indeed an early start! Breakfast was before sunrise…

Hardest day so far. About 20km walked in 10.5 hours! Again, a very scenic but challenging day.

The Chewing Ranges have the sharpest rocks I’ve ever walked on!

And hard ups and downs.

It felt at times that the walk would never end…

Cold, gusty winds in sections. The sun did come out at some point, but the weather was still mostly cold. Not bad for walking I guess, except when the winds were blowing too hard, which unfortunately was a lot of the time today 😦

But the views were magnificent. Totally worth it.

The highlight for me was standing at the high ridge of Brinkley Bluff and enjoying the most stunning view!

We had lunch there and a good rest before starting our long steep descent down the mountain…

Past Rocky Cleft to Stuart’s Pass…

I got tired today but coped ok. What I struggle most with is a too rocky, uneven terrain.

Steep ascents, descents, or long distances don’t really bother me. I just take my time.

I tend to walk in the middle section of the group or at the end. Occasionally, at the front. We don’t always walk together or in sight of each other. We spread out a bit following our own pace, needs and interests. But the guides always make sure we do have breaks where we all catch up and gather together again at regular times.

A sandy creek at the end, the Birthday Waterhole. We camped tonight not far from it. By then we’re all too tired to explore the area.

(Only the next morning I was able to properly see and appreciate the beauty of the Birthday Waterhole.)

When we arrived at the camp ground it was almost dark. Not much time left for anything. It was dinner, briefing for tomorrow, then bed time!

We were told there’ll be a section tomorrow where we’ll have to swim across a creek in the afternoon. The water will be cold for sure but hopefully we’ll dry quickly.

We were also told tomorrow’s brekky will be at 6am so we can start walking before 7am! Apparently tomorrow’s walk will be at least as hard as today’s, if not harder. Our guides anticipate at least 11 hours on the trek…

Wish me luck!