Wilpena Pound (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilpena_Pound) is at the heart of the Flinders Ranges and an historic and spiritual place for both the indigenous Australians and the European settlers.
At Wilpena Pound I undertook the challenge of the St Mary’s Peak walk (http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trails.asp?id=14203) – eight hours of torture as I was to find out!
St Mary’s Peak is the highest peak in the Flinders Ranges, and while I class myself as pretty fit, I’m not a great bush walker and certainly not a mountain climber. So it was with a bit of trepidation, a couple of litres of water, some snacks and much enthusiasm I headed off on the hike.
The climb up to the peak was steep and rough. It is a scramble in places and I was glad I had water and snacks on a warm spring day.
The view from the top was worth it. Apart from taking a flight there is no other way to take in the vastness of the Flinders Ranges.
The walk back into the WiIpena Pound down the less steep side of the peak was far less dramatic and easy on my tired legs. It wound back through Wilpena Pound letting me appreciate the beautiful bush.
Where the return trail met the outgoing track I stopped to read the sign
Yes its hard but do-able, even for an old piecemealadventurer like me.
Hallo you mountain climber,
just read your post on the Flinder’s Ranges and had a giggle about the 8 hour torture and the sign you read AFTER the walk. the view must be amazing from up there, not sure that i would have lasted the climb. good on you!!! thanks for sharing your experience
Karinxxx
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:46:33 +0000 To: nirak@hotmail.co.uk
I mountain climber I am not just a piecemeal adventurer