Valley of the Winds (Day2)

Kata Tjuta or otherwise known as the Olgas has two walks that you can take. The one we opted for was the valley of the winds. The grade is difficult and you do require good footwear and some common sense when walking the track.

The track is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It starts of as an easy 2 km walk from the car park to the first lookout. From there, it becomes progressively more difficult. If you go hard, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular landscapes! Below is a map coded to the scenery we saw during the walk. In total the whole course was about 14 kms from the car park and its return leg.

A map of the walk, the numbers correspond to the photos below

Photo 1, with my triforce beanie I entered the valley of the winds

It was a 2 km walk from the car park to the first lookout point at the valley of the winds. If weather permits the national parks will allow you to walk the loop. This rest stop gave an excellent view of a valley. You felt so small next to the mountains and I was certainly humbled.

Photo 2, the view from the first lookout

Given that the temperature was only 23 degree the harder walk was opened. We met a crazy Aussie on crutches trying to hop the next section. Needless to say, he gave up as the terrain became steeper and less 'hop' friendly. At the start of the harder route's loop we met some Argentinians that advised us that it got really difficult beyond the bend and they turned back. We were young and decided to man up and pressed on.

Photo 3, the start of the difficult loop. We showed those Argentinians by pressing on

Guachita won't let me post the photos of her climbing up a steep incline but at the end of this we were all tired and though that we 'bit off more than we can chew'. But there were no options, press on was the only option.

Photo 4, looking back at where we have been. We climbed up that valley to reach this high point for a shot

The next part was a cool walk in the valley with the mountains flanking either side of us. The next photo showed just how small all of us were.

Photo 5, the valley had many levels but still the mountains flanked us and showed all concerned how little we all are

They valley was flat and then it climbed up and up. With all our strength we navigated up the slopes. At this point we all were tired and exhausted. What awaited us at the end of the climb was breath taking, awe inspiring, gob smacking and hit you right in the face!!!

Photo 6, there was complete silence at the lookout

The rest of the hike was easy. Down the valley on Photo 6 was a bit of a hazard with small rocks that can aid in giving you an express ride down. Other than that, it was generally easy. The landscape still surprised us at the end of the loop.

Photo 7, speaks for itself

Photo 8, shows the landscape of the desert as seen on the track

This walk was SOOOOOOO worth the pain. I would recommend it to everyone. The sound of silence in the valley was unforgettable.