Walking on and off the Rocky Larapinta with World-Ex: Day 4 July 23 Section 9 Charlie's camp site to Ochre Pits 8KM & Visit Glen Helen Gorge by support vehicle

We departed Charlie Camp at 7.30 am and headed to Serpentine Chalet Dam. The dam was built to provide water for the ill-fated Serpentine Chalet which closed in the 1960’s when the Glen Helen Resort opened. After a group photo on the dam wall, we walked the 2.3km to Inarlanga Pass. This area is part of the 29km Section 9, one of the most impressive and scenic sections of the Larapinta Trail.

From here it was a 4km walk to the stunning colours of the Ochre Pits and a welcome bush lunch provided by Jordie. After lunch it was a 40 min bus ride to Glen Helen, 6 adventurers elected to have a bumpy (very windy) helicopter ride and 5 even braver members went swimming.

Today was a day of trip highlights for some of the group. For some it was being able to view the Western Mac’s from the air, for others it was the beautiful red twisted tortured rock formationsof Inarlanga Pass contrasted by the colours of the cycads and the ghost gums and for some it was swimming in the invigorating waters of Glen Helen Gorge.

We arrived back at camp around 5 pm to plan tomorrow’s assent of Mt Sonder. The group elected to do a 3 am assault on the mountain. The plan was to move up the pregnant woman’s leg under the cover of darkness and feast on the sunrise on her belly button, what could possibly go wrong???.

Peter

Left to right: Inge,Neil S.,Peter, Neil J., Kerry, Felicia, Jenny,Janet,Dianne, Marianne, Karen, Ann, Chris, Reg, Cathie

Dianne contemplating her souvenirs of her icy cold swim ten years ago and how the vegetation of the gorge has survived tourism & reverted to a more natural state.......

Kerry and Janet braving the icy cold water after Inge swam across the gorge! Neil hiding behind the rocks and Dianne sitting on the edge, taking photographs.