Sunday 8 May 2016

MAY 2016 : Heysen Trail, Flinders Ranges, South Australia : Day 3 : St Mary Peak (1171m) : 14.5 kms

         

                A mallee parrot in the morning light.

         

Our challenge for the day.

                                      

        The St Mary Peak Dreamtime story.


Wild life along the base of Wilpena Pound.



Many groups of emus.

 
Big Red kangaroos on show.


We set off with St Mary Peak in view.


Gorgeous views of the surrounding ranges and hills.


Reaching the saddle.


    Grasses decorating the path.



 On our way up, skirting the mountain walls and ridges.

 
 The Peak ahead. It was difficult to get the quintessential shot from the top as we climbed to a sloping slab, which was very precipitous and it was quite windy.


The saddle - some of us continued to climb us the rocky path to the Peak while others preferred to descend through the Pound.


Descending St Mary Peak and seeing Wilpena Pound in perspective.

                                         


          

Harold Cazneaux, a contemporary of Hans Heysen, photographed this tree in 1937, calling it The Spirit of Endurance. It has remained an iconic shot of the Australian outback.

        

          Bogong moths - excellent bush tucker - taste just like peanut butter.


       

         Another delicious meal prepared by our guides and eaten around a campfire.

M&M
    

No comments: