Page 83 of Larapinta

Sandra looked at the big climb ahead.

I can do it.

As they walked north back through the gorges and gullies and began the first gentle climb up to the Larapinta Trail, the sun cleared the eastern horizon and provided them with the most spectacular sunrise they’d seen so far. The sky started off pink and then segued to a golden yellow until above them a mass of bright pink and yellow clouds reached as far as they could see.

‘The promise of a new and good day,’ Sandra whispered to herself.

Above, the colour of the cliffs slowly changed from dark brown to red as the sun touched them with its first gentle rays. The sliver of the crescent moon began to fade as the sun strengthened.

Graysen paused and shaded his eyes as he scanned the cliffs above them from west to east and back again.

‘Not a single trekker in sight yet, although it’s probably too early for anyone to have come this far. If I’d known we wanted to be camouflaged on this trip, I would have bought darker walking clothes,’ he said as they reached the end of the sandy gully they’d crossed. ‘We stand out against the rocks and the trees in these light shirts if anyone’s looking down.’

Sandra stopped beside him. ‘That gorgeous sunrise is an omen for us. I think we need to stop worrying and just go. We’ll be cautious but positive. Now come on, let’s pace this out.’

Graysen’s eyes widened and a broad smile spread across his face. ‘I agree. Let’s go. We’ll keep a steady pace and not stride out too far.’

The floor of the narrow gorge had a steady incline and the cliffs closed in and hid them from above. Sandra was happy to maintain a steady pace but gradually as the incline increased, her legs began to ache.

Graysen paused and looked up with a frown. ‘We’ll take a quick water break when we reach the end of this gorge.’

‘What’s wrong?’ Sandra was able to pick his concern without him saying anything.

‘I wonder if we are walking the wrong way? I think we might have chosen the wrong gully to follow. The cliffs are getting closer together, and I’m worried we’re either going to come to a dead end or a big drop between us and the trail.’

‘Do you think we should turn back? We don’t want to have to do this climb, go down and have to climb the same distance again. It’ll slow us down.’

‘It’s starting to look like that. My gut feeling is to turn back. We’re climbing too sharply, too quickly.’

It’s okay. We haven’t come very far.’ As she spoke her stomach let out a huge gurgle.

‘Definitely time for a break.’

‘Just time for a drink and an apple.’

After a quick break, they stood discussing whether to keep going or turn back.

‘It’d be easier walking back downhill for a while. If we do, we’ll take a left where there was that gap with the grassy gully about half a kilometre back in the cliffs.’

Graysen’s fingers tapped the side of his thigh. ‘Or do we keep going and hope that this doesn’t end at a drop. Even if we do have to turn back if we keep going, we’ll have a good view of the landscape around us.’

Sandra shook her head. ‘No, let’s keep low. If we keep going and then have to turn back, that’s an hour or more wasted.’

‘Right. We’ll follow my gut. I just hope I’m not leading you astray.’

Sandra couldn’t help her smile. ‘Maybe not today, but being led astray does sounds enticing.’

Graysen’s face was a picture and then he chuckled. ‘Okay, I can do that when we’re out of here. Just call me Danny.’

Sandra frowned for a moment and then she elbowed him as she understood. ‘You did watch Grease!’

He looked sheepish. ‘I didn’t want to admit to it, but yes, I did, several times. Marion loved it.’ He held her hand as they walked.

Soon they reached the gap at the side of the gorge and Graysen nodded as they took the turn.

‘Yes, we should’ve come this way to start with. Even though it’s going a little bit further away from the south, we’re sort of doubling back a little bit but it’s a lot clearer and lower further ahead.’

Soon it was full daylight, and the sun was warm on their faces as they headed back to the east. There was little conversation as they walked steadily for an hour. Sandra had hit her stride. The gentle incline was easy on her leg muscles, and the occasional stop for a sip of water kept her feeling surprisingly good. Knowing that they were getting closer to safety and help for Andrew spurred her on.