Monday 5 June 2000

We arrived at the junction with the other ascent at around 9am and were met by Michael and James, who had walked up on the Rangers trail.  Had a good chat and then set off again.  Fortunately, by this stage, we had achieved the majority of the height gain (858m total) and the going was considerably easier, if extremely windy.  The views across the Plains were spectacular.  We gained the summit without losing our hats and added our names to the visitors book.  We were very surprised to see a picnic table on the top!  Fred reckoned that they must have helicoptered it in.  Paused to munch some early lunch and chat with James and Michael.  They set off before us but wedidn’t stop that much longer – it was too cold and windy on top. 

We descended using the easy route (Rangers track) and were down in time for lunch at 11:45!  A wonderful walk – we should try and do it more often. 

After lunch, we carried on with the drive around the base of the Rock to look at the Aboriginal engravings and various other sites.  Rather disappointing.  Great scenic Lookout at Emu Hill, though.  Returned to Cobra Station to camp.  I forgot to mention that Mt Augustus is the largest monocline (rock strata which dip in one direction) in the world.  It is massive compared to Ayers Rock (I guess that should be Uluru).