• Kimberley wrap up 😔

    Sep 30–Oct 7, 2024, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    BERKELEY RIVER. Stunning, but unfortunately, the falls/pools were dry as we are very late in the season. 🤞 we return to see it in its full glory 2025.
    We experienced a lot of 1sts this last week.
    1st FLY-IN visitors. Andrew & Vicki join the trip via float 🛫, bringing their awesome selves as well as some eagerly anticipated🍷 & 🍻
    1st LONG WAIT. Inadvertently (pre-hike reading complacency 🤣), we navigated to & explored the wrong creek. We realise we are up Shitz Creek rather than Paul's Creek when return to Dingy to find it stuck in the mud until the tide returns 😲. It was stinking hot, so super grateful to have emergency supplies, some shade, a light breeze a podcast downloaded & great crew stuck with us.
    1st USE OF EMERGENCY PACK. Having lugged a heavy pack out of dingy & up to a secure landing spot every hike for months in safety prep it saved our butts... electrolytes, spare water, crackers & jellybeans proved to be essential when stuck on a cliff.
    1st 🐊 FIGHT. After 5 hrs, we scrambled down the cliff, as quickly as we could & into dinghies as the creek refilled only to be met by 2 good size 🐊 fighting. They did not rush to move away, so it was a quick dash past with whacking sticks on the ready.
    1st SQUALL. The start of Wet has confirmed that we are ready to exit. It's bloody hot and humid & the weather changes quickly.
    1st SPARKLING VIBRATION...totally mind-blowing 🤯 to hear & tricky to figure out. The water, full of bioluminescence with a rushing tide, strikes the bridle/hull & creates a strong vibration through the boat. It took 2 nights, of searching & a Dr. Karl podcast to identify 😆.
    Next stop Darwin. 220nm away.
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