Day 1 - Gammon Ranges: Italowie Gorge
We would like to acknowledge the Adnyamathanha people, the traditional owners of the land through which we walk, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are present today.
We hike through spectacular Italowie Gorge, past towering red gums and across a stony undulating plain encircled by mountains.
Distance 12.9 km (8 miles) ; Gain 350 m (1150 ft) ; Descent 275 m (900 ft)
Greeted in Italowie campground by this lassie. Saw wallabies only around campsites and a single one at Weetootla springs. They won't leave their range to search for water elsewhere.
Setting off from Italowie campground.
I'm already beginning to think carrying my macro lens is going to be unnecessary.
Following the river.
The track, developed entirely by volunteers, is well signposted.
Ti tree begging for rain.
Classic South Oz country. Stunning colours.
Beautiful.
This is not a summer hiking track!
Ironstone , red dirt and parched pines.
A quick side trip to Mt McKinley Springs.
Beautiful but oh, so dry.
View back towards Nanggarranha and the Rampart Range.
Fly nets are permanently in our packs. They have come in handy everywhere from Iceland to NZ.
Dry, but spectacular country nonetheless. We’re starting to think about campsites.
Our final descent for the day.
It’s surprisingly tricky to find a flat camp spot! Eventually we choose a little flat-topped knoll not far from the intersection of McKinley Springs Track and Wuturta Loop Track.
Geoff prepares dinner.
