I honestly thought I was going to die.
When I reached the top, I dropped my backpack unconsciously and mustered all the energy I had left to catch my breath. I was vomiting air, and my chest was starting to tighten. ten minutes and ten gulps of water later, I began feeling alright. That quick climb kept me grounded both figuratively and literally. I remained seated on the rocky ground, wondering how it came down to this.
I loved hiking. I loved it because I could do it well. I’m never the strongest person in the group, but I used to be so nimble and swift. Whenever we would trek to a mountaintop, I would always be the first or second to reach the destination. I could climb trees effortlessly. I could slide down slopes unscathed. and I could run fast. before this, the last time I trekked for hours was at Mt. Melibingoy (Mt. Parker) in South Cotabato in 2013.
What a difference two years make. considering that that climb, I got myself a full-time office job again, gained pounds (lost count), quit regular jogging, and restarted chain smoking. and it all led to this: me, knees shaking, wheezing like a pet dog in labor, but too embarrassed and stubborn to quit.
And why would I? just in between gasps, I could see just how sensational the place was. and if it’s any indication, then I was in for a bombardment of gorgeousness. Assuming, of course, that I make it alive.
View from the top of the cliff.
Three Trails
Situated halfway to Uluru from Alice Springs, the Kings Canyon is part of Watarrka national Park, covering 71,000 hectares of Australia’s Red Center. While it is typically overlooked by tourists for the a lot more popular Uluru, this landform still attracts over 250,000 visitors each year.
The site’s a lot of famous feature is its towering red sandstone cliffs, reaching as tall as 300m. Crumpling the western edge of the George Gill Range, these walls were a result of the erosion of small cracks in the land over millions of years. There are three walking trails that you may take to explore the site, depending on the time you have and how fit you are. Whatever you choose, it is crucial that you do not go off the trail for two reasons. First, some areas are considered sacred to the Aborigines. Second, it can get dangerous. Some hikers have perished at the site because of heart attack and falling off a cliff.
Don’t go off the trail.
Harsh landscape.
Kings Canyon rim Walk. The full canyon experience which begins with the 500-step climb. This 6km path will take you into the gorge itself, over and along what they call “Garden of Eden” (a permanent waterhole), and across the weathered sandstone domes. If the temperature in Yulara breaches the 36-degree mark, you have to take the rim walk before 9am. Otherwise, the heat can become unbearable, pushing the authorities to block access after this time.
South wall Return Walk. This is actually part of the rim walk loop. This will take you to the top of a cliff overlooking the garden of Eden. Takes 1.5 to 2 hours. If the temperature is 36 or higher, you need to take this trail before 11am.
The Kings Creek Walk. This 2-km trail follow the creek that snakes across the site. Takes an hour. The easy choice, it is suitable for anyone, regardless of age and level of fitness. It is also open all the time.
Kings Creek Walk
Rim Walk
We opted with the full rim walk experience, which began with a climb up a 500-stair hill, widely known among locals as “heartbreak hill” or “heart attack hill.” how fitting.
“We’re not even a quarter of the trail,” our excursion guide Nick warned. “But don’t worry, that was the hardest part.”
True enough. It was a lot much easier from there. We trod on rough grounds of a plateau, etched with what looked like ripples. It was as though the they were frozen in time. before I could ask why, Nick already shared the answer. “This used to be underwater. These ripples are signs of an ancient sea that used to fill this area.” Apparently, these rocks used to be underwater sand, and they bear fossils of marine lifeforms, too. We looked around as we ambled, and in no time, we reached the first viewpoint, overlooking a red, rocky desert, partly patched with thin foliage.
View from the first lookout.
View from the first lookout.
Our guide Nick, describing how the ripples got there.
A closer look at the ripples.
After minutes of walking under the sun and in between rocks, we reached a staircase that descends into the gorge, the bottom of which is covered in dense palm forest, broken by a meandering creek. “This is what lots of call the garden of Eden,” explained Nick. It is a permanent waterhole, a life-saver for the aborigines and lost explorers in Australia’s early days. We walked along the creek and found its end. The waterhole is surrounded by soaring walls, keeping it away from extreme sunlight. It was refreshing to stay under its shade, a good resting place for hikers.
A staircase leads down iNto the Gorge kaldet Garden of Eden
Dette vandhul har reddet masser af liv.
En bro forbinder de to sider af kløften.
Da vi klatrede tilbage op til den anden kant, blev vi mødt af en labyrint af hundreder af forvitrede sandstenkupler. Træer og skygge var ikke rigeligt, men det var en let gåtur tilbage til det sted, hvor vi startede.
Se på det sidste udkig.
Gå tilbage til parkeringspladsen.
Det siger, at Krestel Falls, men vi kunne ikke finde nogen kaskade. Bare en klippe.
Den 100 m Sandstone Cliff of Kings Canyon.
I mellem sandstenkuplerne.
1 km at gå!
Efter næsten fire timer befandt jeg mig ved bunden af Heartbreak Hill og kiggede op til topmødet. Men med så meget appel, der blev præsenteret for mig, huskede jeg næppe den kamp, jeg gik gennem klatring til det højdepunkt. Tak himlen jeg soldierede på, for hvad der dvælede, da jeg stod der var de masser af former og appelformer, der festede mine øjne undervejs. Den rigtige hjertesorg mangler det hele.
Watarrka National Park
Telefon: +61 8 8956 7460
Hvornår skal man besøge: let tilgængeligt hele året rundt, men bedst fra april til september.
Vi checkede ud Kings Canyon som en del af en YHA -udflugtspakke. Det leveres med 2 nætter ophold på Alice Springs YHA og en 3-dages campingtur til Uluru med tilladelse fra Rock Tour, der stopper ved Kings Canyon (dag 1), Kata Tjuta (dag 2) og til sidst Uluru (dage 2- 3).
For meget mere information eller for at booke turen, se dette websted.
Hvor man kan bo: Ayer’s Rock Yha Hostel er også kendt som Voyages Outback Pioneer Lodge eller Outback Pioneer Hotel. De tilbyder airconditionerede og Wi-Fi-udstyrede værelser i hjertet af Yulara Township. Der er en bar, en grill og en masse gavnlige faciliteter på stedet. Der er også et check -out dæk til Uluru Sunset i nærheden.
Book dit værelse her
.
Flere ideer på YouTube ⬇
Relaterede indlæg:
The Rock Tour: Campingtur fra Alice Springs til Uluru, Australien
Alice Springs & Uluru på et budget: Budgetrejseguide
6 extraordinary Attractions in Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie, China
4 Highlights of our Kakadu national Park Day Tour, Australia
Ubirr rock Art walk in Kakadu national Park, Australia
Freshies, Salties, and Birdies: Mary River Wetlands Tour, Kakadu national Park, Australia
Anzac Hill, Todd River, and a brief history of Alice Springs, Australia
Uluru, Australia: Sunset, Sunrise and Sensitivity