Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback

Davidson admits that she doesn’t remember much from her first days in the desert alone, but describes her experiences as best she can. She had learned a lot about tracks and tracking before the trip. Tracks are “marks made across the landscape” by any variety of vehicles (111). While some are on the map, others aren’t; others still lead nowhere at all.

Davidson chose a track and began her trek. She felt positive. She studied the beautiful landscape and mused on all she’d learned about the native plants and animals. After walking 20 miles, she set up camp. Over the following days, she fell into a routine. She had an alarm clock and kept to a specific schedule. Then one day, she got lost. She tried calming herself down and focusing on her surroundings. She worried about the camels, an anxiety that never stopped.

Finally, Davidson found her way and reached Areyonga, a missionary settlement. The people weren’t racist against Aborigines, which comforted Davidson. She spent a few days here, grateful for the Pitjantjara people’s and the white missionaries’ help.

Davidson tries to describe the landscapes she encountered on her next leg but admits it’s difficult to capture this terrain in words.