Day 13 Standley Chasm to Jay Creek, cloudy 14km. Medium from Millers Flat and Difficult to Millers Flat, 390m down 370m up
This morning I was awoken by a man with his blower carrying out his dutefuly his cleaning job and chatting to the campers loudly.
Said goodbyes to Jos and departed just before 8.00am before the shop opened to the actual chasm. I had it all to myself before the busloads of tourists arrive throughout the day. The turn off to the trail was through the gates and on the left up a steep hill. Up I go with full food and 1/2 supply of water for todays 13km ish walk. 2 litres.
The first hill climb goes up with stairs of rock then goes steeply down then back up again then down slightly. That has me warmed up and its definately not as cold today but was some low cloud cover and slight rain.
There was plenty of wind last night at the campground and in the middle of the night got some more stones to hold the guy ropes and pegs. A little rain as well to keep the tent wet but not enough to keep me awake or get anything wet inside the tent. I had my rucksack under my feet and garbage bags unde rthe sleeping bag just in case. All my food was put outside on the cooktop bench in my food bag.
Last nights dinner was a soup and vegetables with asian flavour but very few vegetables and plenty of watery soup. I had it just at sunset next to the closed cafe.
Today had plenty of rock hoping and I thought was pretty difficult as I could not see the path markers going down so decided to go down the eroded gully only to see the markers pointing where to go once I was down. Lots more down the creek until you reach Millers flat then you have the choice of high or low route. I chose the low as there was plenty of low cloud around and frankly I was still tired.
With 50's music on in the middle of nowhere I come across a tour group and didnt have time to turn the music off which I usually do before I see someone. I just think they dont need to hear music from someone else in the middle of their trek.
Up a narrow creek with bolders then onto the saddle for morning tea I can see the trail having to go straight down the crek and then left before a large rock hill in the distance.
Not before long Ive reached the high route intersection again for another break.
Upon Fish hole I take a few snaps of the hole then realise the trail goes up and over a hill on my left before turning right into another creek that if it had water in it would flow into Jay Creek. Then when you hit Jay Creek it a long long sandy creek bed walk before going along the right bank and see Jay Creek shelter in the clearing out of the Gorge. Some great rocks all round and I am the first to arrive at the shelter so up goes the drone down the gorge. I arrive at 1.30pm and soon after a few more arrive. We find out there is a group of 20 or so school kids coming our way so everyone scatters looking for a suitable campsite. 2 head down the creek for a kilometre and one heads off towards the next campspot at Mulga. He was the guy who did 8 days to Mt Sonder and planning 8 days back to Alice Springs. He has some video on Youtube, and was then doing Heysen Trail in South Australia next. I think they will camp in the middle of the creek and so I head down stream 100m away but still close enough to the water and toilets. A few more come and camp not far from me but more in the actual creek bed while others camp just near the shelter. 25 kids 4 outdoor staff and 1 teacher arrive from a Sydney school and straight away they had a writing exercise I think to reflect on the day. They were pretty good at night and they were woken up at 5.30am but left before 6.30am.