Redbank Gorge – Mount Sonder – Redbank Gorge

I woke at 6am in my dormitory in the Alice Springs YHA after a poor night’s sleep. Some Irish backpackers had been arguing in the adjacent courtyard at 3am and the noise kept me awake – and this after one of my roommates kept his light on until midnight. It was still dark at 6am – sunrise wasn’t for another hour. I left the dorm as quietly as possible, changed clothes and had breakfast. Then around the corner to the Aurora Alice Springs Hotel where I met the rest of the party at 7.15am.

It was a Sydney Bush Walkers club walk. Led by Kelvin, I was accompanied by Sue, Dave and Stephen.

The mini bus arrived at 7.30am. Time for a group photo.

We loaded the food drops and packs in the back of the mini bus and filed into our seats. There was one other passenger: Sam. She was from Hobart.

We arrived at our starting point, Redbank Gorge, at 10.15am and set up camp next to a dry river bed. Then we climbed Mt Sonder, a 16km walk with a 600m climb. Beautiful weather, spectacular views.

Very clear sight of Ormiston Pound, our destination two days hence. 360° views of the surrounding area. Lunch at the (false) summit lookout. Sushi today. 

The descent was easier. My knees didn’t trouble me, although I was walking very carefully. Truth was, I had torn the muscles around my knees a month earlier and, for a time then, was unable to walk. I was taking things easy to ensure they would last the journey.

Then a late afternoon walk up the dry river to the actual gorge, a spectacular feature.

Convivial dinner with happy hour and Sam as guest. Bed at 8.30pm.