Bungle Bungles

Information on the road varied from impossible won't get the van in to easy you will do it in a couple of hours so set off with several fallback plans in place. Quizzed some people going out and felt comfortable going in. It took two and a bit hours to do the 50 km the most challenging surface condition being some bull dust and washed out approaches to water crossings with rocky steps on the climb out. The path of the road proved more interesting with most of it being 1 - 1 1/2 lanes at best. Blind bends were the order of the day and when that got too boring they would put a jump up either side it so the commentary often went - where's the road go - oh shit can you see round the corner - no - where does the road go now? After 2 hours we were quite relieved to see the ranger station and some straight roads. The whole thing is so immense it is mind blowing. Spent the first hour going wow look at that over and over again. Quickly planned a couple of walks for the afternoon hoping to make the lookout before sunset. Explored Echidna chasm which is literally a space between two rock walls with occasional peeks through to the sky then opening to a large amphitheater. A quick scramble over some boulders would lead to another series of chasm openings each uniquely spectacular. Had lost track of time in the chasm so didn't make the lookout till after the sun had slipped behind the hills. We knew it was breathtaking as the kids didn't ask can we go yet once. Got back to camp for Jack to light the campfire and to plan the next days walks. Tried to beat the heat of the day by setting off early for Cathedral gorge but by the time we stood in awe, deviated and added a few more short walks to our morning it was early afternoon. Back at camp we hid in the shade keeping our eye on the time. We weren't going to miss the sunset twice. Brief walk up the hill with camera and enough supplies to toast the sunset we were pleased to find no bus tours so spent a quiet hour being blown out yet again. Many people have waxed lyrically about the Bungle Bungles so choose your favorite to insert here and let me assure you it is not an exaggeration. The kids are even planning their return trip to do the two day hike into Piccaninny gorge. Had a small meltdown coming out of Cathedral gorge. Had been just walking with the camera off turned it on to take a photo and noticed a big black splodge in the middle of the viewer. I was so pissed had been so careful traveling with it on my lap or sealed in it's bag. Quick clean of what I could, proved fruitless so snapped on with the plan to doctor the photos later if needed. Back at camp in an hermetically sealed environment - read van with all windows and doors closed and children outside worked out it was on the mirror so cleaned as best could and will fix in Alice. Thankfully not on the sensor.