It is nice driving on solid roads and seeing the vastly different environs in the morning as last night everything was a deep red colour and now it seems not as intense and even the greens are more muted than what I saw last night. With all the rain that had happened last week while we were doing the Hay river track the wild flowers are starting to pop up. We have seen so many buds awaiting the sun to help them along.
We had only travelled maybe 60km this morning when Lee and Tim had a land cruiser dual where both boys drove side by side. It was so funny to see Tim, Paul and Lee having so much fun. But as you know all good things end in tears...
Moments after this Lee's car began to loose power and he radioed that they had overheated the engine and to go on ahead. We did for 5-10min when both Tim and I decided that really someone should be there to make sure everything is okay. We pulled over and waited for 20min but still no Lee. So we turned around and saw them coming...Lee said that he thought he had burnt a hole in the piston...after an engine cool down things were still no better...so Tim saved the day and towed him to Ayres Rock 200kmd own the road.
In this time Gary and Deanna had also pulled over and we were able to radio what had happened to the car. Peter K, who decided to get the rest of the group (6 other cars) to Ayres Rock was a long way ahead. We hope to meet them when we get there - it will not be a three hour drive for us.
We arrived at Ayres Rock towing Lee's car. What a great feeling of achievement to have arrived safe and not quite sound. Upon arrival Dave discovered that the Rock was in fact open so the rush was on to get the next 18km under our belts and get there. Paul got a lift there leaving Lee back at Shell waiting for the RACV. We then discovered that this is Lee 's (20years old) 5th time to get here and not climb the rock! We then did a u turn and I jumped out and waited till Tim got back picked Lee up and in my opinion deserves hero of the day. We all decided to climb The rock. I can definitely say that it is challenging and I have no idea how I did this as a 13 year old! The slope is so steep and in parts slippery. But I sprinted up past chicken rock and kept going until the really steep part. Lee was egging us on and he did this trip in thongs! Dave was spurring Robyn on and together we all helped one another.
We made it and afterwards at the the base while waiting for others we heard a tour guide discussing some contentious issues about the rock. There are a variety of reasons not to climb Ayres Rock - we had seen the sign but we were so excited to be here and with all of us there (3 groups already started) the race was on. The reasons include cultural, environmental and health issues. Cultural reasons include the indigenous story. One ranger thinks it will be closed in the next two years. I am glad to say I have been able to do this twice. Environmental reasons are obvious reasons why this area needs to be protected. Health resons not to climb are important as there have been 37 deaths on Ayres Rock. The climb is closed more often than open. If it is too wet, dry, cold, hot, etc and if found in when closed the fine is $5000. The Longitude 131° Guide was particularly helpful and his tour (five star style included) costs $2000 a night - obviously guid included.
We we have had a great day! What did you do today?
Good on you Tim for towing Lee's car all that way!! Loved Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Steve was the only one that climbed Uluru when we were there!! Pete, Chris and I did a tour around the base learning about the Anangu culture and dreaming stories etc.
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