DINGO (Canis Dingo)
How do I do justice, in words, to something that many people think of as frightening, barren and the last place on earth they would want to visit? To me, the desert is an awesome place. Such harsh beauty and the immensity of the Pilbara plains and mountain ranges fills me with excitement, wonder, and at night, with a canopy of stars overhead, such a feeling of peace that it makes returning to civilisation almost a punishment.
The freedom of driving into the unknown.....today we'll take this dirt track.....is surpassed only by the feeling that comes when rounding a bend onto the mouth of a gorge, carved millions of years ago during the birth of time, or a river that runs freely after inland rains have replenished it's source, or even a flock of cockatoos, screeching their displeasure as they wheel away from your intrusion. It is not difficult to imagine that you could be the first person to gaze on these wonders of nature.
But to fully enjoy the Pilbara, you need to take some precautions. It is remote, and the conditions can be harsh. A reliable 4WD vehicle and a knowledge of mechanics and the present road conditions is recommended. Enough water, not only for yourselves but also your vehicle, is an absolute essential though. In summer the temperatures can exceed 50 celsius and dehydration and death can occur within hours. It may be beautiful, but it is not where I would wish to die!
