Weano & Hancock Gorges, Karijini National Park

Sunday 13th May 2018
Well today we had put a tall order in for accomplishments but unfortunately yet again we FAILED!!. Surprise, surprise! We only managed to complete one section of this area near the Karijini Eco Retreat. We thought we could do it all but looks like we will stay at the Eco Retreat another night.

First cab off the rank was to hike the Weano Gorge, this involved a Lower and Upper Gorge. It had a very long time frame for a very short distance and we though t they had it wrong yet again. But alas! They had it pretty right. It was a great walk and involved a little bit of adventure as you will see in the pictures.

Then we returned to the car via Upper Weano Gorge which was relatively easy. Then after lunch we will tackle another gorge. Unfortunately I realised I had lost my thongs on the last walk so I had to go down into Weano Gorge to try to fid them for the next walk. Good Karma should have assisted here but not today. My thongs were lost. That is a terrible thing as they work so well whilst camping in red dust as I wear my socks in the scuff type thongs to keep my feet clean. Bugger, bugger, bum!

Oh well now we head off to Hancock Gorge which we have been told is better than the spectacular Weano Gorge. We are really looking forward to this one and have a little more idea of what is involved this time. Again, we are not disappointed. The gorge and pool were also spectacular. After we finished this walk we retraced our steps along the Upper Weano gorge track to try and find my shoes. Unfortunately we did not find them. A disappointing loss.

As it is now 4pm we decided we would stay at the Eco Retreat tonight to enable us to finish the last 2 walks we didn’t manage today. A fantastic adventure was had today. What an awesome holiday we are having. Can’t wait to share some of the stories with you all.

Apologies for the million pictures today but I couldn’t choose between them so you got lots more than usual. SORRY!!

: I definitely needed these stories as most of you know my sense of direction is pretty ordinary.

: I think this cross is for a manwho died trying to save his young son as he fell at this Oxer lookout. He protected his child as he fell but he died and his child is a paraplegic. Very very sad but a frame in the Visitor’s Centre tells about it I would assume to try and help others.

: Junction Pool Lookout, where 4 gorges meet.

: The same spot in th eother direction. Where 4 gorges meet.

: Read this sign to see where we were headed

: This was the beginning of our adventure at Lower Weano Gorge…

: .The water was very cold but DB couldn’t dog it today..

: ..after the little swim we had to climb around the rocks..

: ..This was where we just came from. Very pretty..

: ..The ledges were very narrow but we made it around safely.

: At the next spot we saw this sign..

: Putting my shoes and socks back on. Look how steep the cliffs are..

: ..as we climb around further..

: ..in to the gorge, straddling the water..

: We walk around the edgesof the pool. Carefully..

: Then we come to Handrail pool which you can see here.

: David looking around the corner into Handrail Pool..

: ..This is the sign on the rock face just before the handrail..

: David climbing down the Handrail to the Pool..

: Guess how it got it’s name? Handrail Pool. Hehehe!

: I swam in the pool..

: .. into the cavern you can see in the last picture..

: ..then climbed out to where there was a rope preventing any further exploring. If you looked up you could see Junction Pools Lookout.

: The water was very cold, David decided not to swim in the pool he just walked across to see where I had gone.

: A young tour group coming down the handrail..

: ..Heading back out the gorge..

: ..the views were as spectacular as on the way in..

: Walking along Upper Weano Gorge. Was very different to th Lower Gorge. No water here.

: After lunch Gorge – Hancock Gorge…

: ..Read the warnings. We did and then went on to explore.

: The initial view was amazing..

: ..we managed to keep our feet dry to start with..

: ..but only for a moment..

: ..it was also scrambling around the rocks..

: ..and up the rocks..

: ..with very little to hold on to..

: David at another beautiful spot..

: Yay, we made it..

: ..and the walk continues..

: ..Another challenge to come..see a bit later what spider walk really meant..

: ..this bit was interesting..

: ..even DB had to lean against the other side as there was nowhere else to hold on..

: ..then along another edge and..

: ..around the next corner..

: ..was Kermit’s Pool..

: ..another very cold swim, to which David declined…..but always ready to just experience the adventure…

: ..in I went..a little relax..

: ..then a swim to the end at the little waterfall..

: ..then a worm wiggle up the slippery rocks to get out..

: A view back to Kermit’s Pool on our way out.

: Now this was the real Spider Walk on the way back..

: DB just enjoying the scenery..

: ..and another beautiful gorge..

: ..a little further on the way back..

: Almost done. The rocks were well worn, a little slippery, with tiny hand holds. But it was a great adventure.

: ..Using my new pole on the way back. I love it. They really help with stability..

: ..and I am glad no-one picked it up as it was sitting on a rock for about an hour..

: View on the way back to Eco Retreat.

: Perentie we saw on the way back along the side of the road..

: DB got out to take a photo..

: ..see his forked tongue. It was very cool. He was very big, over a metre.

: See the lovely red rutted road, very bumpy. The end of a great day!!