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Edward John Eyre climbed Mount Distance 2 September 1840 and viewed the land ahead. It was a cheerless prospect of broken land with the salt lake beyond the horizon at this point. He was at latitude 29 degrees and beyond the furthest northern point of the Flinders Ranges. In the distance was another hill for which he headed. Not anticipating that the view beyond it would improve he named this hill Mount Hopeless.

Eyre had left Adelaide in June to search for a route to the north of the province, following up on his expedition of the previous year in which he had discovered Lake Torrens. In this latest expedition whichever way he searched, his way forward appeared to be blocked by a great horseshoe shaped salt lake which barred the path forward. He would continue to the north and hope for an improvement. In the following year thwarted in his attempts to explore to the north, Eyre decided to explore west from Streaky Bay hoping to find water and pastures and a viable route to Western Australia.

Eyre, Edward John, 1815-1901

Eyre, Edward John, Journals of expeditions of discovery into Central Australia, and overland from Adelaide to King George's Sound, in the years 1840-1 ... Adelaide : Libraries Board of South Australia, 1964

Stokes, Edward, The desert coast: Edward Eyre's expedition 1840-41 Knoxfield, Vic.: Five Mile Press, 1993

Dutton, Geoffrey, Edward John Eyre: the hero as murderer Ringwood, Vic.: Penguin Books Australia, 1977

University of Adelaide Online Books: Journals of expeditions of discovery into Central Australia, and overland from Adelaide to King George's Sound, in the years 1840-1 sent by the colonists of South Australia, with the sanction and support of the government by Edward John Eyre.

Edward John Eyre Gutenberg

Edward John Eyre Wikipedia

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge. August 2004-