Camping at the base of Kata Tjuta, 14 August 1985

I’d seen an episode of the Leyland Brothers where Mike Leyland had climbed Mt Olga, now known as Mt Kata Tjuta. In the youth hostel the night before I had spoken to an American who had made the ascent that day, it gave me added impetus.

Left on the climb at 12pm. Once on the face its much steeper than it appears from below. The first half was the steepest and there were a few hard spots. Didn’t slip or dislodge any rocks, quite a few were loose.

Had magnificent views on top 1 hour 15 minutes later. Mt Connor was directly behind Ayers Rock [Uluru]. Unfortunately at midday the lighting is not at its best, a bit of haze about too. [The summit is 1,066m but 546m above the surrounding plain; it is 198m higher than Uluru].

Came down, much harder to do [facing the rock], still managed it in the same time as the ascent. A lot of bus tourists were looking at me and filming me.

Collected my pack and walked over to the next gorge looking for a good camping spot. Hot, sunburn on my arms. Once the sun went down the flies left and it was cooler. Took some good pics of the red rocks [no one else there – had the whole site to myself]. Had a small but bright fire going after tea. Plenty of dry, brittle wood. Spinifex dangerously dry – was quite windy at night so was careful how it went. Doused the fire with soil before hopping into the tent at 9.15. 

Walking around Kata Tjuta the next day. I like the way the clumps of spinifex mimic the  36 domes.

Note that this was just prior to the Uluru – Kata Tjuta national park being declared. There was no restriction on climbing or camping there. As of next October 2019, there will be a climbing ban in place for Uluru.