Up Mt Gillen Sideways

Climbing Mt Gillen isn't just done in the traditional way, up the path from Flynn's Grave or the roadway to the radio antennas.  You can also go up the side.  It isn't an official route, in that there isn't actually any path going up there but it can be done.  The path to the base is quite flat.  You then climb 220m vertically taking about 25 minutes.  From the top, the view is pretty impressive showing a whole different view of Alice Springs.

Admiring the view on the southern side of the hill.

 A different view of the town.

 The Sunset from the top of Mt Gillen.

To Yulara and Mutitjulu

This week I went to Yulara and Mutitjulu.  For a short week (due to the May Day holiday) it was a busy week.  On the Tuesday morning I loaded up the car with a mountain of files, my food, gear and a small amount of other equipment that is required to be taken on any bush trip (cameras, recovery gear, first aid gear, satellite communications, etc) and set off south along the Stuart Highway.  Nearly 450kms later I pulled into the resort town of Yulara.  It was around four o'clock by the time I'd unloaded everything and settled into the clinic accommodation.

The next couple of days were a blur of meetings, inspections, long car drives, amazement, frustration and exasperation.  The last two are it seems, just as much of a part of the job as the others.  Still, at least I got to see the rock again and walk around it (9.6km done in 1.5 hours).

Me and Ayers Rock (right)