Reflections on Jatbula Trail

This hike is stunning – if it is on your bucket list – go and do it! It is a hike with plenty of down time and exploring time. The landscape reminds me that I am just a tiny blip in time and space (as are my challenges) and I stand in awe of the wonderful natural world!  Due to the limited numbers this hike allows you to really feel the location.  It does mean it books out very quickly, but if you can go at relatively short notice (few weeks) a cancellation during the season is definitely an option. We went with 15 days notice.  There are no decisions to make regarding the walk itself as the campsites are set for you, so just food and logistics to organise.

Lessons learnt: Greek yoghurt nut bars work better than chocolate ones in hot climates, a wet wrap placed around bag of liquid chocolate in shade will allow it to set and be eaten, look higher for arrows – most are 6 foot plus above the ground, jellybeans cope with heat much better than other jelly lollies like snakes

What would I do differently: take an underwater/waterproof camera, take antihistamines (if allergic to wattle), don’t bother with fly for tent (we had been advised this but it seemed impossible to us that there wouldn’t be dew – we were wrong), hang food in all campsites, take moisturizer – all the swimming dried my skin out, take a groundsheet with strings to create shade, investigate lightweight seating options

I collected a variety of “rubbish” on this hike – most of which appears to be forgotten items, most likely due to people leaving in the dark and not spotting an item.  I collected assorted scraps, 2 x tent pegs, Jetboil stove stand, pair of ladies underwear, D-shackle and a complete set of tent pegs.

We did this hike during the late August heat wave of 2024, temperatures in Katherine were 37 degrees or higher each day. On the high stone country they are considerably hotter.  My tips for this walk are:

• 1.     Carry lots of water – much better to be carrying too much than worrying that you will run out in the heat.
• 2.     Leave early – many of our fellow walkers left in the dark.  I really wanted to see the country between each waterhole, so we left each day between first light and sunrise. This was right for us.
• 3.     Rest regularly – better to take a little longer to get there and arrive in good spirits. Even with stops we arrived in camp by lunchtime every day.
• 4.     Swim fully clothed when you first arrive in camp, then set up camp while your clothes dry off, they will keep you cool as they dry.
• 5.     Protect these beautiful swimming holes by using clothing to protect yourself from the sun rather than sunscreen which contaminates the water.

Enjoy!