Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

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Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:05 pm

This year did not go to plan - but we still managed to get out on 2 trips North.

The first was a family trip with a few casual strolls along tracks,staying at the Edeowie Shearers quarters and doing a couple of drives that went around Wilpena Pound and included a section of Blinman Pools and Parachilna Gorge.
These are a few snaps from that first trip just after Easter:

OrbWeaver4895.jpg
Saw lots of Orb Weavers


ElderRange4939Crop.jpg
View of Elder Range [Mt Alec] from the Heysen Trail through Black Gap


I've seen a photo of scrubmaster on this wall -
Moonarie4961.jpg
Moonarie Walls - a rock climbers site on the rim of Wilpena Pound
Last edited by eggs on Sat 01 Oct, 2011 7:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:09 pm

Cazneaux4977.JPG
The famous Cazneaux Tree with the walls of Wilpena Pound


PoundWall4994B.jpg
Pound Wall from Moralana Scenic Drive. Pompey Pillar is second peak from the left


Pompey5005.jpg
Flock of cockatoos in front of Pompey Pillar - second highest in the Flinders Ranges
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:13 pm

Abrupt5041.jpg
Last light with Mt Abrupt still shaded by clouds from Edeowie Station


5045SunSilohette.jpg
Setting sun from Edeowie Station


Pools5176.jpg
Early part of Blinman Pools
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:22 pm

We only went a short distance along the Pools track at Easter

BlinmanPool5194sm.jpg
About as far as we went - plenty of water


Then last week we returned to the same area to do scrubmasters suggested 3 day walk over Mt Falkland in the Heysen Range.
Getting there mid afternoon we decided to do the circuit in reverse - heading back out over the Blinman Pools again.
There had been a stiff north wind driving up - but a change was arriving cooling things down.

6336EarlyPools.jpg
A bit less water flowing, but still very pleasant


6399StarLight.JPG
We camped under the stars
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:38 pm

CreekBed6393.JPG
Looking back along the creek bed near a waterfall


LastPool6442.JPG
Last pool before creek dried up heading upstream


We climbed out of Parachilna creek to cross the ridge and descend into the next valley
This was fairly open but with lots of Onion Weed and the odd road we crossed
RoughTrack6471.JPG
The road ahead looking towards the ABC range
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby Tony » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:43 pm

Hi Eggs,

Stunning photos, what beautiful area to walk in and thanks for posting them.

You should do a your own calendar.

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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:45 pm

There was a lovely flowing stream in this next valley - but we left it and climbed to a rest spot with a view
MidWalk6490.jpg
Looking back at break


Then it was a descent before a steep climb up onto the ABC range and a traverse to a pinnacle where we had lunch
[Panoramas - click to enlarge]
6530HeysenSthPanfromABCsm.jpg
View from ABC range over to Heysen Range


6533HeysenRangeSthWiderSm.jpg
Close up of part of the Heysen Range - includes Iralbo summit which mikethepike has climbed on the left
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 2:49 pm

The descent over the ABC range was very steep and I had a roll :roll:
And the walk down to Dead Goat Soak was pleasant - but frustrating when we overshot the spot as there was no water there.
There were however, some drips further back where a few rock bands make some low waterfalls
6554Roo.jpg
Some wildlife amongst the rocks attracted to the oozing water


After scavaging some water from the drips we camped overnight.
The next day was particularly long and getting quite warm. We probably started with less water than we should have - but up we went, where it got very scrubby and interesting as we traversed some steep sloping rock
6588ScrubbySlope.jpg
Scrubby slope approaching Nintenta Peak


6595AscentRidgeViewSouthSm.jpg
Looking south along Heysen Range spine
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 3:47 pm

Thanks Tony.
I did get a couple into the new Bushwalk Australia calendar - but not from the Flinders.
I still think I need to learn how to use the camera a lot better yet.

Back to the trip:
We gained the main ridgeline past Nintenta Peak by ascending a gully south of Mt Bell.
There were then 2 scrubby sections passing Mt Bell and then approaching Mt Falkland, but exhausted and thirsty- we finally got there.
From the top we had views all around - to the NE was Patawarta Hill in the distance with Angorichina village and the dirt road from Parachilna to Blinman running past.
6651ViewNE.jpg
From Mt Falkland looking NE


To the West and NW was the vast expanse of Lake Torrens - disappearing out of sight to the north.
There appeared to be no water in it from this angle - but i know there has been substantial water in it coming from the northern end this year.
[Panorama - click on it to enlarge]
6656LakeTorrensB.jpg
Lake Torrens with Parachilna "township" at the road junction


To the south the ABC range and the Heysen Range were close with Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range in the distance and mountains discernable down to Mt Arden close to Quorn
6647SouthOverHeysenRange.jpg
View South - for a long way....


After a reasonable rest we started up again looking carefully for breaks to take us past the 2 cliff lines below - a task which wasn't too difficult in the end, but we did need patience.
There was still a long walk down the exit ridge and a very steep bump to arrive back at the Heysen Trail, cross it and walk down Wild Dog Creek to Angorichina.
There was water in Wild Dog Creek so we gathered some and processed with a puritab so that we could get a final drink in before getting back to the car.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby photohiker » Thu 29 Sep, 2011 5:29 pm

Fantastic scenery in the Flinders just about everywhere you look. You're doing a fine job with that camera Eggs.

I've finally had a bit of luck getting the family out of the suburbs and into the outback via the Flinders so we should be able to manage a yearly trip if my luck holds out, otherwise I'll have to do it on my own. :)

Probably a bit windy up there right now!
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby doogs » Fri 30 Sep, 2011 8:46 am

Great photos Eggs, thanks for sharing them. Looks like a truely amazing place, one which I must admit I know nothing about :oops: but now would like to go and se for myself, thanks to your great photography :D
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby hikingoz » Sat 01 Oct, 2011 3:40 pm

Thanks for posting eggs. Great pics
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby jcr_au » Sat 01 Oct, 2011 5:59 pm

They're great photos. Bring back lots of memories.

I first visited the Flinders in 1971 with my father. It wasn't a walking trip, rather a couple of weeks of dads leave that coincided with 2 weeks holiday during 1st year uni.

We had a ball exploring then but I didn't have a chance to get back until 1995 with the family, 1996 with the kids (wife was doing so post grad study) 1999, 2000, 2003 and then finally to do some walking twice in 2010.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby stepbystep » Sat 01 Oct, 2011 6:13 pm

Great shots Brian, will definitely spend some time checking out this area on my next trip home.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby nickthetasmaniac » Sat 01 Oct, 2011 7:09 pm

Stunning shots all! The 'last light' photo is gorgeous
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Tue 04 Oct, 2011 2:31 pm

Thanks for the comments.
I know that I, like other people posting, find them a great encouragement.

This was an out of the way walk - no track past Blinman Pools and only crossed the Heysen Trail a couple of times. You would not do this by just rocking up - but there are some nice tourist strolls around.

And if you are planning walks - this country is very unforgiving. If there had not been any water at/near Dead Mans Soak we would have drastically revised plans to get out fairly quickly by the most direct route.
It was my first time with a PLB - but very appropriate to where we were.
And it is now apparent that the locals and authorities are increasingly nervous about people walking up that way - so be sure to let appropriate rangers/police/station owners know what you are doing.

We heard on our return journey that several incidents had occured while we were out - from a lost elderly lady who strayed off a track to someone with a broken bone needing to be evacuated.
It was night on our first leg back - so watch out for Kangaroos (must have been above 150 that we saw - a policeman travelling the same route counted 350), sheep and owls if travelling at night.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby Maelgwn » Wed 05 Oct, 2011 9:07 pm

Looks like you had a great time eggs.

Was recommended a walk in this area by a friend, so went up there over the long weekend. Camped in Wild Dog Creek and did a day walk of Falkland, Bell and Dead Goat Soak. There was a reasonable trickle of water in Wild Dog Creek, meaning we didn't have a water problem.

As you suggested, we eft a note at the office at Angorichina, where we left the cars. They were happy that we did this.

Falkland and the traverse was a real highlight, amazing views each way and still a big day for us. I don't think I have any photos to compare with yours really.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby Nick S » Wed 19 Oct, 2011 5:31 pm

Thanks for posting Brian, what a landscape!
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby johnw » Wed 19 Oct, 2011 8:15 pm

Great report and beautifully crafted images Brian. I can see why you are drawn to that region.
I was at a camping/outdoor/travel show earlier in the year and spoke to a lady from SA Tourism.
Came away with an armful of info on the Flinders Ranges et al. It is high on my list of must do things.
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Re: Heysen Range, Wilpena and Blinman Pools

Postby eggs » Fri 21 Oct, 2011 4:29 pm

Thanks Nick & john

The Flinders are a big target - stretching a long way north-south with some interesting variations in landforms and vegetation along the way.
I think this is my 6th photo post from various parts of the Flinders ranging over 200 km apart.
And yes - it is a fascinating range to see a semi desert mountainous environment.

Well done Maelgwn.
Your photos are fine. But I do note that in broad sunshine up there the colour can wash out a bit - so I mostly take shots at -1 stop, and that helps the colour contrast.
Even running auto correct or some contrast adjustments in Microsoft Office Picture Manager can assist that as well.
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