Holland Track - Day Three

Day Three

Prior to going to sleep last night I discovered I'd left my Silva ADC behind at yesterday's lunch spot, it's a sort of portable weather station. Pissed off! Upon waking this morning I decided to ride back and get it, it was only 22 Km round trip, took an hour return but I over did it a bit considering yesterday.

The start of the Holland track proper.

We were up early and Phil felt good, he packed the camp while I was gone. When I got back I had a quick bite to eat consisting of packet veggies, the thought of them still makes me sick. The track was in great condition with very few sandy sections and no hills.

We saw a Thorny Devil and took some shots. On the map there is a water hole just off the track so we walked in the 2 odd Km's to have a look, found it but it was as dry as a bone. We were becoming a little alarmed at what may lie ahead in the way of water, we were carrying a proper filtration unit but one needs water to filter and if these temperatures kept up we could be in strife.

Thorny devil, traveling a little lighter than us!!

We'd been on the road a bit when we came across a puddle and after dismissing it decided it prudent to return and fill our empty bottles to filter if no water was to be found at Thursday Rock.

Water, water, cool clear water.

I started to feel a bit off and after riding for a while things started to deteriorate badly, I pulled over to have a rest. Phil asked if he should lean my bike against a tree to which I replied "If you take it away I'll %@# collapse." After which I promptly vomited the contents of my belly all over the rear of the bike. It was hot, so I found a bush to stick my head under and just lay there. Phil put up his fly tent and I dragged myself into it, seemed a nice place to die, no flies!

Die..? Me, never, just napping.

We figured we were no more than 5 Km's away from Thursday Rock and as Phil was feeling good he'd ride through to have a look. I'm fairly experienced in the bush and felt there'd be a chance of water there from all signs we'd seen, at least there'd be better shade. Phil returned not long after, nothing ever takes long when one's lying around comatose. He had no trailer and reported fields of lush green grass with streams of cool clear water flowing down the rock.

I was sold... jumped on the pushy and peddled with gusto into the distance, thank Christ it only turned out to be 3 Km's, I nearly died. Phil towed my trailer in and set up camp. I lay around until 5pm or so. During this time we discussed our options, if the temperature was to stay this high we'd be best to turn around and head back to Coolgardie. A bit of a bitter pill but we figured the track would be here next year. We decided to filter water later in the day and see if and how I recovered. I was suffering a delayed reaction from yesterday's heat, and we'd take things as they unfolded in the morning.

After filtering water to completely replenish our supplies we phoned out and warned our respective partners of an impending retreat.

Phil, beside the sweet flowing stream.

Lunch anyone?

It just goes on and on and on and on...

Map of Day Three's route. (Click for larger image)

Next - Day Four