Garnets, caves and ...

Today is Sunday 13th April and we spent the night in Ruby Gorge where we woke to the pink sun gleaming through the ridges. We had a slow start and a nice sleep in where we woke to the sound of dingoes calling. After breakfast some of us (not Tim) went for the 6km walk to see the Glen Annie Gorge. The walk was worth it and we were rewarded by the spectacular views, sheer pinky red shelf coif face with water in the middle. Some had a swim and loved the refreshing coolness others like me were happy to stay on the side. Walking through the river bed you get tonthenpoint where there is sand and in there I found many of the glimmering red stones to be actual garnets. Just amazing! Thanks to Peter and Dave as I don't think Tim and I would have had a hope to find this track!

As we were leaving the gorge (1:30pm I did say we were having a slow day) tim decided that he had to see what was in one of the caves that can be seen from the side of the road. Needless to say he pulled over and we were second in the convoy to meet the self posed challenge. Happy to report that he achieved this goal and without sighting snakes, ants or getting any scratches. Thanks to Christoprher who cleared the way for me as Tim was like a man possessed, running up the rocks, through the scrub and  up to the cave half way up the hill. I am pleased tim did this though as he had said he wanted to yesterday and he did miss the Glen Annie Goeprge this morning.

We made it to the pub with no beer - Arltunga Hotel - just two days ago road access was blocked due to rains. This area was made famous by the explorer David Lindsay who sparked the first mining fish in the East McDonnells in March 1886. He then formed a mining company because by 1888 there were about 18 gold bearing quartz reefs here. Over the next decade they mined 100oz of gold. By 1898 this town opened a 10-stamper crushing battery and cyanide treatment works that the South Australian Government provided. This was the spot where everyone readjusted their tyre pressures from 25psi in the front to 35 and 27psi to 45 in the rear. This location is also the saddest place on earth for darling Tim (we are celebrating be kind to a Tim day today) who fortunately found a beer in the car!

So we are on the road again, and making our way to Alice Springs via the Ross Higway. All of a sudden we see a sign to Trephina Goroge and considering that a) it is only 6km off the track and b) it is 25° a swim could be in order. I missed th morning swim in the Ruby Gap so this is my big opportunity. I need to overcome the fear of not seeing the bottom of the water, the fact that these waters ar black, snakes, insects that bite, crocodiles, disentry, cholera and anything else I can think of! The track into this area is so lush and green, similar to Chump Creek in some ways in Gary's opinion. Well the rocks were great but there was no water in the gorge today and after surviving a swam of European wasps I was some what disappointed. Great photos to come soon!