Saturday, November 10, 2012

Day 9: Mayo Gorge to Jarvis Hill

1st October 2012

Today's walk was on the section we skipped at day 7.  The weather was sunny and warm.  The Morris Minus award was given to Jason Rufus for his meritorious behaviour in carrying out safety checks of the bus.  In his absence, Dean Mortimer carried MM on the trail for the day.

By now, most walkers had forgotten the infamous lost luggage affair.   But not Carol Clark, who maintained a close watch on the luggage on the final day.


 The day started at Mt Little and we walked into Mayo Gorge and on to Mayo Hut.




The entry to Mayo Hut

The rear of Mayo Hut


Sadly, the work done by Dean Mortimer in his earliest days as a lineman, has not stood the test of time.

Another morning tea in another creek bed.

Dean Mortimer carrying MM for Jason Rufus.

Wonoka Creek provided some highlights.

Look closely and you can see kangaroos drinking in the backgound..... and some galahs in the foreground.

 Lunch was in the only shade around, kindly provided by Gavin Rufus.



Albert Schmidtke knows how to escape the sun.
 As we approached Jarvis Hill, some of the terrain got rugged.
Trail?  What trail.
 But soon enough we were rewarded with some of the best views on the Heysen Trail.  These pictures speak for themselves and the views just got better as we climbed and climbed.



















Finally, a rest at the top of Jarvis Hill while we waited for the last walkers.


 Dean Mortimer quietly takes in the views.  His flag for the day was a hi-vis postman's flag - something not often seen in these remote parts.





Todays walk was 27.5 km, and being the last walk-day of the year for End to End Minus 1, the final act was to give Jason Rufus care and custody of Morris Minus until next year.  Look after him for us Jason, and keep him away from your dogs.



Day 8: Calabrinda Creek to Buckaringa Gorge

30th September 2012

Overnight, the infamous lost luggage affair was brought to a conclusion.  The luggage was located in a cabin occupied by Margaret Liptak, Jan McLeod and Tiffany Bolton, each of whom thought the stray luggage belonged to one of the other occupants. Dallas Clark was very happy to get his luggage back and the ladies became the triple-recipients of the Morris Minus award for their notorious behaviour.


The day was warm and sunny.  We had 25.5 km to cover, so we set off a little early to get one of the road slogs out of the way. The first stretch of road, Partacoona Road, provided some interesting sights and unexpected encounters.

Starting the day, walking down Partacoona Road.


This abandoned bicycle was chained to the sign
These riders are from Clare.


Robert Alcock chances to meet his mate on the bike


After leaving Partacoona, we headed for the beautiful Willochra Creek with its exposed ochre walls.


The approach to Willochra Creek is steep and difficult.




Then it was a steady climb to Buckaringa North.

.On the way, Dallas Clark met an old mate.
Dallas Clark renews his acquaintance with the goat from E2E3.


Lunch on the hillside, with 180 degree views.

Some areas were dry and stony.

On the second long stretch of road for the day, John Fox was a little nervous about getting too close to the fox baits on the side of the road.

The end of the walk at Buckaringa Gorge.