Just Keep on travelling: Inside the Chasm

Inside Echidna Chasm, Bungle Bungles

The chasm was really narrow and most dark. In small sections there was daylight overhead. It seemed to go on for ages but in fact was only about another kilometre in length. We reach an area that was quite open, and there were a couple of seats and some signage. We thought we have finally made it, and sat down and rested and just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere. However, there was a small open section and when I checked it out surprise, surprise it let on and we were not at the end of the walk at all, much to Peter’s disappointment. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see the chasm, but he thought enough was enough but not me, I wanted to be able to say that we got to the end so on we continued.

Walking in the wider section of Echidna Chasm, Bungle Bungles NP

The walking got a little harder after our stop. The going was narrow, and at one stage there were huge rocks that we had to climb about to continue onwards and upwards. As the way narrowed we looked up and in one section we saw one large rock jammed in the gap and in another section there were two rocks jammed. Thank goodness they were not going anywhere.

Looking up in Echidna Chasm, Bungle Bungles NP

After the rock climbing we were on to ladders and after two ladders we had to climb some rock steps which weren’t particularly easy. No photos of that climb to show! Eventually we reach the end of the chasm and it was a great sense of achievement. It was extremely narrow and high. We just couldn’t image being caught in there but at least a helicopter hovering overhead may be able to achieve a rescue through the top of the chasm. Amazing what you think about in those situations.

However, we were able to walk back out the chasm with no help. On our way out we passed a couple of tour groups just beginning the walk in. Other than the tour leader none would have been under seventy if they were a day and many were struggling and they had only just started. Not sure too many of them were going to see the final section of the chasm.