The raven tries to eat the giant emu's egg. The emu catches him and a chase begins. The raven flies into a crack. The emu, unphased charges in behind him. Hence, the crack splits open creating the peaks we know today as the Grampions. The chase continues, however, the raven eventually gets away. The aggrervated emu chases after a coward hunter instead. The hunter is freightened by the emu and he scatters up a tree. He never makes it down and becomes the possum. Eventually, two brave brothers do spear the emu, but it does not die, instead it staggers through the valley and its dripping blood becomes the river.
(Pinnacle) (Venus Baths)This legend was the first thing I heard upon entering the Grampions. I thought about it throughout the whole trip. I like to make up stories of my own to explain natural occurences. The Nature experience is very inspiring to me. I find, especially when I'm hiking, I take so much more time to think then I do at home. I was a little disappointed to discover that we were not backpacking on this trip. I miss it so much. Campfires and big groups will be fun too.
Our first day consisted a series of hikes on Mt. Zero and Mt. Stapleton. The Grampions were amazing and the rock scrambling was a blast. I came across a beautiful Golden Orb Spider.
(Golden Orb Spider) (A
little solitude on Mt. Stapleton)
Day two was a little more intense. My group started in Hall's Gap and made our way up to the Pinnacle via Venus Baths and Splitter Falls. Some of the terrain we hiked through was like nothing I've ever seen. For sometime we were in this crevass, not more than 10 meters wide, and it kept getting narrower.
(Hike to the Pinnacle)
The pinnacle was basically the top of the world. I don't know how else to explain it. I had the best picnic lunch of my life up there. Absolutly breathtaking . . .
(The pinnacles)
Day three we made the trek to McKenzie Falls/Migunang Wirab. I was drawn to it from the second I heard the water running. I have seen my fair share of waterfalls but this one was by far the best. I have never swam in one before but from the second I saw the base of this one I had a burning desire to jump in. I'll admit I couldn't breathe for the first few minutes after I jumped in but I don't regret it for a moment.
("I couldn't resist"--McKenzie Falls)What is it about running water? It is so aestheticly pleasing. I think it must have something to do with water being so essential to human survival. We realize its value and when comibined with the force of gravity, it produces a powerful image.
(Bec's Group--Grampians B)
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