The Larapinta Trail (193 miles, 231 km) runs along the West MacDonnell Ranges in the centre of Australia and is one of the top walks in Australia. The trail passes through various landscapes along the range to include creek beds, rocky ridges, rolling plains and through many gorges. It s harsh extreme in temperatures means there is very little water., so there are water tanks at each of the shelters allong the way filled up with rain water and topped up by Park rangers through an automatic alerts. I'll hike it from East to west from Redbank Gorge to Alice Springs. Reasons are the wind generally blows eastward, I can get into Alice Springs at any time (without a specific data and time for a pick up) and it gives me greater motivation to know I'm getting closer to a final destination. There has been a flood in February this year so all the normally dry creek have water in them so some water crossings will be needed, but it will also be much greaner than it would normally be.
Date booked is starting on the 21 May 2022 as it will be a little cooler than early May but with it brings colder nights.
Maps bought from NT Parks and Wildlife $50 includes each section.
Book Larapinta Trail by John and Monica Chapman bought as a Xmas present.
Qantas Airfare $522.70 departs Darwin at 6.00am arriving in Alice at 8.00am.
Accommodation at Diplomat Hotel 1 night $70 for a single bed, fridge and was the cheapest in town but also you pay for what you get. Its also close to Woolworths and Coles where I need to shop for food supplies.
Food drop offs x 3 orgainsed through by LTTS at a price of $210.
$70 for the key, and transport to Redbank Gorge organised with LTTS $330
Fuel canisters organised 4 x 100g $32
Trail fee to NT Parks and Wildlife $145 plus camping fees $52 with a little teasing issues on March 1 as originally they didnt have all the camping spots that you could book day after day.
Plan is arrive at 8.00am and get dropped off in town by the Airport bus $19 have another breakfast and then take the Riverside walk to Telegraph Station, see where I'll finish and then get some kilometres in my legs with the pack minus food by head ing out on the trail to the Geoff Mods Bridge and take some video and photos and return back where my room at the Motel will be open.
Unfortunately I sprain my right ankle on the way back to the Telegraph Station that requires me to get some more ibuprofen and strapping tape form the chemist in town. It will be strapped for the entire walk.
Once checked in -Shop for food- $210 at Woolworths and $17 at Coles ( as Woolworths didnt have everything) then pack the LTTS boxes up when they arrived after 4.00pm. Didn't get a text message so gave them a ring
Dinner had at Dominos Pizza in town.
Head out next morning, pick up at 7.30am by LTTS to Redbank camp site. They arrive at 7.15am on a very cool morning.
Camping spots planned are
1. Redbank
2. Lookout
3. Finke shelter
4. Ormiston
5. Giles lookout
6. Serpentine Chalet
7. Serpentine Gorge
8. Ellery Creek North
9. Ghost Gum Flat
10. Hugh juntion
11. 4.5 Junction
12. Stanley
13. Jay Creek
14. Simpson Gap
15. Wallaby Flat
Walk for 16 days and arrive at Telegraph Station, go into town then taxi to airport (40) and fly home at a 6.00pm flight back.