Karijini NP....our last day and what a ripper!

After our much needed half rest day, we had regained energy to continue exploring this magnificent Karijini NP. So today was already loaded with a full day out.  We planned to go and check out what everyone says is the most amazing gorge here, the 'Weano and Hancock Gorge'......this day deserves it's own post...wait and you'll see why!  Beware, it will be a long one just due to the pics l want to share.....truly mind blowing day! Have left the best to last l reckon.

So with food galore packed and camel packs filled with water we made the drive out to Weano Gorge to do the walk and head down and check out Handrail Pool.  It was a grade 4 walk which means it is not for the kind hearted and can be a bit physical, which we found out pretty soon into the walk.  Before we knew it we were scaling the walls of these red rock walls and quickly arriving at our first pool.  The question was....to wade through or scale the ledge?  The water was really cold and the water looked pretty deep in some parts.  So with that, we scaled the red rock wall, me being really petrified l would fall and my expensive camera would be ruined!  Was really tricky in spots, and it was pretty slow going, but l was really proud of all the kids in getting across unscathed.

This was the easy wall to scale...

Sitting while the adults work out to wade
or scale the wall......

Boo and Meg are ready to go...

Marty testing the water....

'the HardFirms'!

Our journey had just begun...

We finally made it above the water crossing, with no one wet or worse for wear.  All the kids had a blast walking around the ledge and were more confident than the adults, who were a little shaky in some parts.  Everyone was keyed up and eager to keep going.  We had made it to the entrance of the narrow path below high surrounding cliffs leading to Handrail Pool.  It was totally amazing and l felt like the smallest ant amongst these tall walls shadowing our walk.  We all thought that was the hradest part of the walk, however, it was all about to start and throw out more challenges, with higher ledges and tinier edges to balance on.  But it felt like another world and we all basked in its natural beauty....

Meg the athletic gal....

Rest time....

Nearly there.......

Entrance to "Handrail Pool"...

Yet more ledges to grip on to....

One of my fav shots of the day....

Cam thought he was Spiderman!

Meg taking the plunge into the ice cold water...

Poor Jordyn didn't last long in...

Still our little Meg....

Boo who never feels the cold! Loving
her swim...

Just love the blues and reds....

Thanks to Ton had fun with ghostly
Marty!

Meg trying to warm herself up...lips where purple!

Had to get a family shot!

The girls!

Sadly it was time to go :(

Up we go...

Looking back into the gorge...

A rock Marty found.....pretty good one of Oz dont ya think?

Back up we go....bloody steps!

The Australia rock Cam found!!!

Termite mounds at the start of the Weano Gorge walk...

After the physically taxing hike into Handrail Pool, we were all in need for some tucker.  So we had our left over mini quiches and peanut butter salada's.  We were all pretty excited at what we had experienced and couldn't wait for the rest of the day to unfold.

Next stop was a short drive down to check out Oxer lookout.  After what we had just seen, and with all the gorges that we had hiked thru over the last week, it was ok but not as impressive as ones already viewed.  It did have some interesting rock formations within the gorge itself though.....plus it was only a 300m return walk, walk in the park for us avid hikers!

This monument was in place to commemorate
a rescue worker who was killed whilst trying to
assist in a rescue during a flash flood...

With the legs slightly stiff, but overall, the body had recouped, we took a short drive to the Hancock Gorge car-park.  We have heard that this is the 'gorge of all gorges' within Karijini NP so although the body was stating to tire out from the week, our adrenaline pushed us through to head off excitedly.  The kids were very excited to do the Grade 5 walk, the harder they were, the more keyed up the kids were to do it, no whinging!  Give them an easy sand pathed walk and they would whine the whole way!  Cant figure these little humans out l tell you!  With everyone ready, we set off, soon to head down a set of steps, which Cam and Marty thought they wouyld slide down to the kids amusement!

Marty giving it his own flare with a leg up!

Yet another lot of ledges to walk around....

Taking a quick break...

After taking an hour or so to get here, we all got to the end of the line where we either had to plunge into the ice cold water, attempt to get thru the gorge by walking along the narrow ledges along the tall red walls, or do what Marty decided to do and sit and wait on the rocks while everyone else headed off.  Boo and l set off wading thru the ice cold water, with Meg changing her mind in the last minute and catching up to us, while Ton and Cam took the difficult walk along the ledge wall.
This was the most challenges part of the walk so far in that l had to look after the girls all by myself.  When we got thru the ice cold narrow pool of water we were greeted with a small amphitheater that had huge amounts of sunlight to warm us up.  Meg decided she had had enough, so what does mum of the year do? Yes, that right, l tell her to sit and warm up while Boo and l continue on, reassuring her that l wont be long.  Whoops!  Anyway, Boo and l continued thru another narrow entry squeezing thru the gorge, making every concentrated effort not to slip on the slimy rocks underfoot.  We arrived at yet the second last obstacle and a part of the walk where l lapsed in concentration, which led to me falling flat on my ass and sliding down the slimy rocks, right in front of a backpacker audience by the way!  Slightly embarrassed, l laughed it off whilst Boo and all the other kids behind her thought l was an awesome mum in finding the worlds best water slide!  So all the kids followed suit sliding their way on the bums, me not looking quite as much a fool as l felt.... Last obstacle was to climb a short way up the rocky wall and plunge into the deep pool of water below, which was named 'Kermits Pool'.  We had finally made it, the end of the gorge with no major injuries except for a bruised ego.  But l had thought too soon as at the top of the ledge, Boo looked over and slipped, crashing her side into the edge of the ledge before plummeting into the cold water below.  Poor little bugger put a strong face on until l got down to her, nearly drowning her with my huge ass bomb into the water, when getting to the rocks she shed a tear with pain in her left flank.  After a cuddle from mum, she was all better, well on the outside anyway.  We thought we should at least make it to the end, the last bit being the most hardest of all, having to try and get out of the water on these super duper slimy flat rocks.  Everytime l got up nearly to the edge l would slide back down into the water.  One stage l was on all fours and sliding down, Boo having to pull me up in a not so graceful manor.  Anyway, Boo and l triumphed and felt so chuffed, walking the last leg down the 'Spider Walk' to the end of the gorge, we even scored a pic of ourselves in the moment.  What an achievement and such a physically demanding day, so grateful to have spent a lot of our time last year at the gym getting stronger, or else l don't know weather l could have completed it?!  After our pics, we made our way back to Meg (who l had momentarily forgotten about leaving in the amphitheater) who was heard crying for us, luckily Amanda was there giving her a cuddle.  Again, major WHOOPS!  Worst part was the girls knew how cold the bloody water was in the last water pathway on the way back and took me forever to convince Meg to get in.  She decided to scale the ledge wall back as far as she could, and seeing l had neglected her, l felt l should carry her the rest of the way.....

Boo and l at the mini amphitheatre....

Meg arrives.....and then we leave her, but looks like a nice
spot to pass the time don't you reckon?

Thumbs up at his stage....

'Spider walk'

End of the line.....yay!

Ton and Cam catch up...all bloody dry btw!

The slippery, slimy rocks at 'Kermits Pool'

Clowning around like always!

Meg safe and sound...agreeing to make her way back...
water or ledge??

Ledge it is...

Boo braving the icy water back!

Finally helping Meg.....maybe l can win back her heart? lol

Happy to be warm, safe and back with Daddy!!!

Time to head back, fun over!

Happy days....

After the succession of hikes and such a physical day, we were still all pumped up and excited sharing stories of what we had just witnessed.  Thank god the muscles hadn't started cramping, we had two more lookouts to explore in this area before heading back to camp, and it was getting a tad late in the arvo and we knew the kids energy would soon plummet.  

Firstly we stopped off at Joffre Waterfall Gorge Lookout, pity the sun was facing into the gorge as it interrupted our pics, but still, such a marvel to see.... 

Surrounding landscape on the drive....

Joffre Gorge Waterfall...

Last stop for the day was another lookout at Knox Gorge.  We were all grateful of the short walk in to view the gorge which was sadly the least impressive of them all.  But at least it was a quick stop, and the boys were grateful due to both of them needing to empty their bladders before setting off back to camp.....

Knox Gorge

Boys have it so easy.....love the stance guys!

So l hope you have enjoyed our journey at Karijini National Park, this last day being the most amazing and physically demanding of them all.  I was totally consumed with the visual glory and colors within the landscape and gorges.  I had a wonderful time trying to capture our adventure, but it wasn't to hard with nature speaking for itself quite easily.....we will definitely be back here again one day to explore what we have left untouched by our eyes!!!  Its just a bloody huge place and we are learning, especially in WA, that we have to leave some things for our next lap of adventure around Australia.....

Bell  Xxx