ALICE SPRUNG: July 2007

For the last three weekends I have been making great use of the surrounding country in Alice Springs. Where do I begin? Hmmm...

Saturday 30th and Sunday the 1st. Hunting Trip.

My mate Ben and I who you might remember from my archery blog entry not too long ago decided to go out camel hunting.

Ohh... I'll finish this later. I need to sleep. *Several Hours pass...*

Ahh, Now that was refreshing. Where was I?

Camel hunting.

We wake up on Saturday feeling refreshed and ready to hunt. The plan is to drive to Hermannsburg, (which is a settlement about 2 hours drive out of Alice Springs) the "violentest place on earth" because of it's high murder rates and vicious in-fighting, to get in touch with some black fellas out there through a lady Ben knows from work. This all goes swimmingly.

We are introduced to this friendly bloke who tells us to wait while he goes to get a four wheel drive. An hour passes by.

He finally shows up with his grandfather and uncle in tow and he says he has to get fuel. He leaves the 4WD by us with the engine running and his grandfather and uncle sitting there staring at Ben and I. He gets in another car to go get fuel. The 4WD engine soon cuts off by itself. Another half an hour passes.

We settle down trying to tell jokes to the old men who, through hand signals, say that they think their nephew/grandson is a little nuts and a little scatter brained but we kind of got that. Then we hear the car approaching in the distance.

He pulls into the drive way and runs in the house. He didn't have any fuel with him. Ten minutes later he runs out of the house with a set of hunting knives and his wife and 2 year old child in tow. This was going to be interesting.

A mattress is flung into the tray of the 4WD and the 2yr old and mum go in the back. The three men pile into the cab and Ben and I follow in Ben's 4WD. He tries to start the car but it won't start (possibly because of no fuel, who knows). He starts to push it down the hill and jumps in trying to jump start it and, miracle of miracles, it starts. We were off.

We spend the rest of the day banging around off road (and I mean off-there-is-no-road-how-many-trees-did-we-just-knock-down-off-road) among the trees and brush around Gosses Bluff Crater.

This was not good hunting. Although the guy did know several good spots there was no water due to no rains. No water = No animals.

We made so much noise anyway that on several occasions we saw kangaroos hoping away from our approaching convoy as we knock over our thousandth tree. The guys didn't quite understand the finesse that is required of bow hunting and how quiet one has to be to kill something with a bow. I think they thought we had rifles which of course can kill up to a km away.

We did eventually lose them as their vehicle began to splutter. They head home as Ben and I look for camping grounds.

As we drive down the road we spot three male camels standing by some trees but unfortunately for us they see us before we see them. Stupid smart camels.

We hatch a clever plan where by Ben would disembark and stalk in closer while I distracted them by driving further down the road. They were not fooled though and walked away. Being the tall creatures that they are they disappear before we even blink as each stride is several meters.

It was a good night camping in the bush. Sitting around with a roaring fire and good food and some booze. Best part of the trip really.

The next morning as we drive out to look for the highway we decide to look around for some prey...

Here were some tracks in a dry river bed. Mostly dogs and a few wild horses. Then we spot them. Camel tracks not too old (or so we think) and leading through the bushes. Woohoo.

Here is Ben stalking through the bush looking for traces of camel.

Found some camel tracks and scat. This camel looked big though so I wasn't too keen on killing it... that is until a little further on...

Baby camel following mommy. Hmmm, I could eat a whole baby camel.

But unfortunately that is all we see today. No more camels and their scat was too dry to be fresh. Bugger. Back to Alice for us. Hope we have more successful hunts to come. Must wait for rains...

Saturday 7th and Sunday the 8th. Climbing Mt Sonder.

Mt Sonder is part of the Larapinta Trail and is near Glen Helen. Here is a picture of Glen Helen Gorge with water in it. Beautiful isn't it?

Well, The walk itself was spectacular and beautiful and all that but you'll have to come have a look yourselves.

Naomi Leading the way early on. Before tiredness and dodgy knees set in.

The bunch of us at the peak. Left to right, Zoe, Adrian, Damo (in front), Victoria, myself, Jess, Naomi, Michelle and Lexi being all gangsta eyes in the back.

Me trying to look tres cool on a rock.

The slow pokes behind me as I power up the rock face.

And last but not least, Naomi and I having a break up the top.

Oh, by the way there is a book that is kept up here in that stone altar thing. Come and look for my name under this date.

Sunday the 15th. Rock Climbing at Emily's Gap.

Here is a picture I took from a rock ledge about 10m up of the actual Emily Gap which is part of the MacDonnell Ranges and is about 15 mins out of Alice Springs. Its got some great top roping opportunities for folk with not much gear (i.e. us).

Here is Victoria and Zoe looking for ways to get up the rock face so we can put up the top rope. Ah, scramble goodness.

Once the top rope is up the style session begins... It was only graded 8 in the guide book but we didn't complain. Chance to get out doors onto some real rock kicks ass.

"Listen kid, when you been around the ropes as long as I have you can relax a little and just hang around."

Alex being stylish as always. Trying to make the climb more difficult by avoiding any of the obvious holds.

Zoe just doing the climb straight up. Taking a break on a ledge.

Zoe got rocks in the bag and we did laps. Nah, just climbing up to pack it all up before going home. Left to right, Zoe, Alex and Victoria.

They told me to hold the rope while they went to lunch. Bastards. Ah the life of the second is a lonely existence or the belayers job is never done.

We went to Zoe's house after and had blueberry danish and ice cream for morning tea. Yummy day.

Okay, That is all for now. Ciao.