Thursday 5 July 2012

Manning River Gorge – Drysdale River Station Friday 29th June



Early start this morning. Allan and I decided to do the 13/4 hour walk to the Manning Gorge and Falls. The first hazard was that we had to cross the Manning River and until yesterday the only way was to swim and take your belongings in a Styrofoam box. However, the rangers installed a punt that you could pull yourself across the river. We were there at 6.25 AM so the rest of the camp was still asleep. It was an arduous climb up the escarpment then we had to descent into the gorge. Really tested my athletic ability and did some of the long drops by sitting on my bottom then sliding down.  Good news is that we made it and saw the Falls. Then we had to return. The upward climb was not as bad as the downward one. Arrived back at camp at ten. I went for a swim clothes and all when we arrived back. Needed to cool down.
We then packed up and headed back to the Gibb. This section of the road was not good. After 100km we came to the Kalumburu turnoff. There was a roadside sheltered table and graded road. What an illusion!!!! 1km down the track and it was a corrugated nightmare!!! 58km of it and we were at Drysdale River Campground.
We had intended driving to the Mitchell River but after that section have decided to give it a miss.

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