T-Team Series-Top of South Australia

Mt. Woodroffe

[This time, the T-Team with Mr. B scale the heights of the highest mountain in South Australia, Mt. Woodroffe. Even back in 1977, Mt. Woodroffe being on land owned by the indigenous people, we needed permission and a guide. Don’t know what happened to the guide back then, but we had permission. The situation has changed in the 42 years since we climbed…more about that later.

Many thanks to Mohamad Al Karbi for the opportunity to share the T-Team’s adventures in outback Australia.]

The sun climbed over the horizon, its rays touching the clouds in hues of red and Mount Woodroffe in pink.

[Photo 1: Mt. Woodroffe, our goal © C.D. Trudinger 1981]

In the golden light, packs on our backs we filed up the gully. The narrow creek in the hill-face gave way to the slopes leading to the summit. With no defined track except for euro (small kangaroo) ruts, we picked our way through the spinifex. Rick carried his .22 rifle in the hope of game for dinner.

[Photo 2: Hiking up the creek © L.M. Kling (nee Trudinger) 1977]

‘You’ve got to watch that spinifex,’ Dad said. ‘If you get pricked by it, the needle stays inside your body for years.’

‘Years?’ I asked. ‘What does it do there?’

‘It works its way through your body and eventually it comes out through your hands or feet or somewhere.’

‘Yuck!’

‘Ouch!’ Rick screamed. ‘The spinifex just stung me.’ My brother stopped and pulled up his trouser leg to inspect the damage and then muttered, ‘Next time I’m making shin-guards.’

‘I guess one should be careful when one answers the call of nature out here,’ Mr. B said.
Matt sniggered.

I gazed at the acres of spikey bushes and decided to resist the call of nature.

[Photo 3: The sting of Spinifex © C.D. Trudinger 1981]