Mitchell Falls

 Friday 18 June 2021 – Mitchell Falls

Today was a bucket list day for H&M and L&J were happy to check out the Mitchell Falls actually flowing as opposed to the 2019 dribble.  What we weren’t looking forward to was the 2 hour drive each way and the quality of the road didn’t disappoint.  We were all happy to stop after an hour of juddering at the lookout to stretch the kinks out of our neck and back and to absorb the sounds of silence.  The running repairs to H’s radiator hose seem to be doing the trick so we all hopped back in the car and tackled the next hour of bangs and jolts.

We got to the Mitchell Falls campground still in one piece and checked in with the Helispirit team and had our weigh in and briefing session.  Jenny and Miranda were both happy to jump on the scales with our heavy back packs and know that the read out was screened from everyone but the very tactful lady behind the counter.  (We were going to blame the heavy backpacks and hiking boots otherwise!!)

We had a quick cup of tea and slice of left over apple damper for a morning tea before we started and then headed off on the walk up to the falls.  At the information boards Jen asked Laz if he had remembered to get the sandwiches out of the Waeco.  L had but Miranda hadn’t so H did a quick sprint back to the cars whilst the other 3 meandered slowly on to Little Merten Falls.  These were flowing this year as opposed to 2019.  We had heard that there was a waterfall you walked under and could find rock paintings so we continued on the path until we found a side path down to the bottom of the falls.  It was absolutely beautiful and nature’s air conditioner was on in full force with a gentle breeze wafting the cooling spray and air of the waterfall over us.  Hendrik and Larry were adventurous and clambered up the rocks and under the waterfall and searched for rock paintings whilst Miranda and Jen stayed at the bottom and tried out all the different photo functions on their phones to take artistic photos of the falls and green pool below.  Some of the slow-mo functions made it look really spekky.

                                                        

Larry was acting as time keeper today as the helicopter was booked to collect us from the top of the falls at 2pm so it was quick march, and not much stopping, all the way along to the falls which was a bit of a shame as it was hot and thirsty work and it would have been nice to be able to stop and rest occasionally and truly appreciate our surrounds, particularly when we reached Big Merten Falls.  As it was Jen had to keep going and find a way across the rocks above the falls (this had all been completely dry two years ago and much easier to negotiate) and leave it to Larry to take photos and truly appreciate the amazing scenery.

It was the middle of the day by now and really hot and dry so the last bit of the walk, which required scrambling over hot rocks was not very pleasant.  As time was slipping away from us, we figured it was best to get as close to the helicopter collection point as possible before we had lunch and a swim so, just as Jenny thought she would get a rest, there was the Mitchell River to negotiate first.  The good thing about this was that you got to take off your hiking boots and wade across.  The bad bit was that apart from 5 poles spaces about 10 metres apart you had to negotiate a fast flowing, knee deep stream with incredibly slippery rocks underfoot.  We all managed to slip and wet various parts of ourselves and Jenny, who had given Larry her hiking boots to carry in the belief that was a better bet in keeping them dry, was dismayed to see L give them a good dunking whilst keeping his own perfectly dry. 

We reached the other side and finally were able to relax and eat our sandwiches.  Jenny, who was past caring about food, just fell into the water and let her core temperature come down instead.  After about 10 minutes, the whip was cracked again and it was time to re-don the hiking boots and walk around to the viewing areas to view the Mitchell Falls in all their splendour.  They are still flowing well over four of the five ledges so it was a spectacular sight and well worth the slog to get there. We had time to go “Ooh” and “Wow” and get photos and selfie evidence that we had been there and then we had to hot foot it to the helicopters.  We got there with 2 minutes to spare but the Helispirit guy was already calling our names so we walked straight down to the helicopter and piled in.  It ended up that Miranda was on an edge with no door and Jenny in the middle so Jen held onto her tightly as the helicopter banked around to get good views of the falls from both sides.

                                                

                                                

                                                

                                                    

It was a pretty quick flight back to base which just made a mockery of the hours it had taken us on foot and then it was back to the cars for a nice cold drink from the Waeco and a quick toilet break and then back in the cars for the 2 hour slog back to the vans. We had to pass a tow truck who had just collected a camper trailer with broken suspension that we had passed this morning and he asked us if there was anywhere coming up where he could turn around.  Unfortunately the track won’t allow him to turn around until he gets down to the Mitchell Falls campground so unfortunately he will have to add a few more kilometres on to an already long trip back to Kununurra or Broome.

We made camp by about 4.30pm and then it was time to sit and relax and have some pre dinner drinks.  Miranda cooked up yummy chicken kievs, rice and veggies for dinner and the evening passed with much hilarity and tears of laughter so we either drank too much or were over tired or maybe both.

Early to bed and quickly to sleep as it had been a big day.  Tomorrow is a “chill day” at camp so a sleep in will be well earned.