Yes, we are off on another walking adventure and you couldn’t get one more different from my recent Spain jaunt. This time I am out in my own Australian backyard and what a vast, and visually astounding, backyard it is.
Step away from your ‘normal’ life and join me for a couple of weeks as we head through some of the most rugged and beautiful countryside on the planet.
Lace up your boots, we are about to set off on Day 1 of the Larapinta Trail.
From: Old Telegraph Station, Alice Springs
To: Simpsons Gap
Section #: 1
Rating: Moderate to Difficult
Official/Map Distance: 24.7km Planned Distance: 24.7km Actual Distance: 26km
Progress: 26/223km
Ascent: 742m Descent: 679m
Terrain: Some stiff climbs up onto the most awe-inspiring ridges.
Started Walking: 0815 Finished: 425pm Time/Hrs: 8h9m (including breaks and rest stops)
Weather: Clear and hot with a cool breeze providing relief every now and then.
Stayed At: Wallaby Gap, World Expeditions’ Group Campsite
General Comments:
- Clarification 1: I walked with World Expeditions on a fully-supported end-to-end tour. This may not be everyone’s choice, but it was an absolute winner as far as I am concerned. I could walk just with a daypack and benefit from the Guide’s extensive local knowledge about the flora, fauna, geology and history of the land. It really added to the experience. We still camped in tents or slept under the stars, enjoyed ‘bird baths’ and swimming in the waterholes (instead of daily showers), and we were fed like Kings! Winner, winner!
- Clarification 2: The distances and times throughout these next 14 days/sections will vary greatly from the official figures. From a distance perspective, we often walked off the trail to our campsite and then walked back in the next day, and that added additional kilometres. We also walked as a group of 6-7 people plus our guide and that usually meant a slower pace or some waiting around for the rest of the group to catch up. The extended time on the trail in each of the blog posts includes all those breaks, rest stops, oooohhing and aaaahhing at the view etc.
- I’m not afraid to say I was quite nervous starting out on Day 1. I had only been home from Spain for 2.5weeks and had spent that time catching up on sleep, trying to get over a bad head cold/flu, and NO training. I had everything crossed that there would be some residual fitness from all my camino walking.
- We were a small group of seven (ranging from 56yrs to 72yrs young) plus our two vastly younger and fitter guides. Our routine from Day 1 was that one guide would accompany us on the trail for the day and the other would drive our troopie (a 10-seater vehicle) and trailer to our campsite.
- After a quick briefing, the terrain started fairly gently and my Partner in Crime (PiC) and I were soon in the lead. I volunteered to be the first one to carry the two-way radio and this duty was shared around the group over the next two weeks. One radio out front and the guide carried the other at the back of the pack.
- The colours of the landscape and the shape of the clouds blew us away. I apologise in advance that over the next 14 posts, I am going to be endlessly raving about the colours of this countryside. They simply have to be seen to be believed.
- The path followed the old telegraph line for a while before striking out in a clear westerly direction, including crossing the Ghan railway line. No train in sight.
- If only we realised that this would be the last bit of truly flat country we would see for the next 14 days! Within a couple of hours the path started to take us up, up and up onto Euro Ridge (a Euro is a native Australian animal similar to a kangaroo or wallaby and the name has nothing to the currency) complete with rock scrabbling and sheer cliffs dropping perilously away.
- Oh, but the views! My PiC and I could not stop saying ‘WOW, WOW, WOW’! Yes, it would have sounded pretty inane, but it couldn’t be helped. Our mouths fell open and a WOW came out. It just blew our little minds.
- By the time we hit Euro Ridge, our group had strung out depending on fitness levels and lung capacity. One of our hikers opted out at the half-way point due to dehydration and the rest of us pushed on to Simpsons Gap.
- Our guide was an absolute font of knowledge about the terrain we were walking through and he had a real passion for the flora and birdlife of the region. He pointed out a small fern called a Resurrection Fern, stubbornly growing in between the protection of rocky outcrops. Who would have thought that ferns could survive out here? While not quite as delicate as a traditional fern, apparently when conditions are tough it dies back, only to spring out again when the rain returns. Clever!
- Simpsons Gap was the first of many gaps, gorges and chasms we would visit during this trail. The towering rock walls and cliffs were very intimidating, and it was a powerful place to finish Day 1.
- Today’s Word: My PiC and I decided very quickly that we would have to extend our vocabulary somewhat as WOW, WOW, WOW would not be sufficient to describe what we were seeing every day. We took it in turns to choose a word, but ‘WOW, WOW, more WOW’ was locked in for Day 1.
Top Tips for this Section:
- Toilet: Never let a toilet pass you by. It becomes a real luxury to actually sit down rather than finding a large clump of spinifex to squat behind.
- Water: Carry plenty of water and I recommend one of those water bladders to continually sip. Even in Winter walking out here is hot and thirsty work.
- Luci Light: I love my Luci Solar Light in the tent and for midnight wanders to the loo/bushes. It is also excellent for recharging small devices.
It’s been a big Day 1, sleep well everyone.
#travelinspo #LarapintaTrail #multidayhikes #adventurebeforedementia #longdistancewalks #australianbush #AliceSprings #WorldExpeditions #bushwalks #greatoutdoors #crosscountry #exploreonfoot #NorthernTerritory #CentralAustralia #discovernorthernterritory #WestMacDonnellRanges #OutbackAustralia #hikingadventures #epicadventures #OldTelegraphStation #WallabyGap #SimpsonsGap
Life...one big adventure 
Great write up Mel. – I look forward to reading the next 13.
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Hopefully some happy memories in there for you… 🙂
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Wow! What an adventure, keen to hear how the rest of the trek went. We’ll be doing Central Australia next year!
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It is a gob-smacking place. All the hidden waterways reminded me a little of Karijini. You will love it!!
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Brilliant, and this walk will be a challenge for different reasons. Best of all, it is out communing with nature, bliss. I laughed at you questioning your fitness levels. I had no doubts 🙂
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You are the best cheer squad ever!! Just prepping for the next adventure and I have exactly the same concerns! 😉
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Hahaha, you’re welcome. Tell me more about the next adventure😄
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Google – Bibbulmun Track. I start walking in 10 days…. GULP!
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Yes, I know about it. Actually, I did a few kms on one. Nothing compared to you. Didn’t you do a part of this before? I’m impressed, though I wondering if you have someone chasing you to make you so active🤣
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No, I’m actually in a Witness Protection programme so I must keep leaving home and hiding out in the bush!! 🙂 No, haven’t done this one before. I just packed my backpack this morning. It could have been worse and it will only get lighter as I eat and walk! 🙂
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Funny girl 😉 Have fun and you’re keeping me inspired to do one of those longer walks.
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I will do my best! I won’t be blogging through my next adventure as I will be out of range most of the time, but I will catch up when I am back in civilisation. Take care, Melx
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Hi Suzanne. I’m not sure what is going on, but I tried to comment on your latest post and it wouldn’t let me. It kept telling me to log in, so… Congrats on your new PB! Very impressive. Melx
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Thanks, Mel. It’s been a problem for a few people trying to write comments on WP. I didn’t realise it was an issue on mine. Oh well, hopefully it’s right itself because I’ll miss hearing from you all x
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I will keep trying. Melx
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Wow indeed!
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Get it on your Bucket List, Kay! x
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Gorgeous, rugged terrain. Really impressive.
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Impressive is the perfect word!
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This is tailor-made for you, isn’t it? You can enjoy the challenges in a carefree way, and even with a PIC presumably at the same fitness level, without worrying about a missed step and the possible consequences. I’ve kept up so far, Mel, but I have my doubts. Simpson’s Gap looks beautiful.
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Yep, it is a pretty special way to hike. Much more expensive than walking independently, but so worth it when walking so remotely.
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Wow! (sorry, I couldn’t resist it) 😃
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Exactly! 🙂
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Wow indeed. Off too a great start!
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Definitely. It only gets better…. and steeper….
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Oh, am I going to love this. I think I might manage the walk to Trig Point! Our Alice Springs / Uluru road trip was our honeymoon before the wedding (we knew we wouldn’t have any time after the wedding as I was starting a PGCE course once we got back to England) back in August 2003 – so pretty much exactly 20 years ago. The landscape blew our minds (as did the journey getting to Alice by overland mini bus over 3 days). You have an exceptionally beautiful country and I am so excited that you are showing it to me.
Jude xx
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Thanks so much, Jude. I just wish I could take photos like you do to do it justice. What you see and what appears in the photos is never the same. See you for Day 2. Melx
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Nothing wrong at all with your photos Mel. We had a dodgy camera on our trip and only realised once we got home! Pre-digital so you never knew what was on the film.
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I just wish I could get the lighting right. I think I must be doing something wrong, but then it is just a point-and-shoot camera, not a fancy one. Have a good day.
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The light is so bright there that the photos will probably be overexposed. You could try manual exposure settings (not that I do) and early morning and evening light will be softer.
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True. I will try that on my next adventure. Ta.
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Stunning…. I am looking forward to coming along with you on the Larapinta Trail, a walk I would love to do myself .. some day. As I mentioned I did snippets here and there along the walk this time last year.
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It’s a cliche, but is really is one of those life-changing experiences. Thanks for joining me on the adventure and hopefully it brings back some happy memories. Mel
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Indeed Mel.
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I’m with you on the WOW. Double wow for that bird’s bravery. And the oasis looks like a Garden of Eden I would never want to leave. So impressed that you started this so soon after the camino.
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Yes, I created a bit of travel monster this year. A good monster all the same, but a tad busy! 🙂
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Hmm, the route seems a bit rough 👀. What a vast landscape … and I love it! I think a knowledgeable guide can add a lot of value on the type of trail you walked. Oh, and let me just say, your overnight stay at Simpsons Gaps looks superb!
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Yes, rocks were a definite theme all day, every day on the trail, but they were interesting rocks. 😉
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imagine if I lived in this place. the place looks not green. Thank you for sharing. interesting adventure
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Very different from your home, no doubt!
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I’d be saying wow round every corner as well with those landscapes. Simpsons Gaps looks so beautiful, and that wagtail is very brave!
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I think the willy wagtail has received lots of snacks from previous hikers, so it knows when it is onto a good thing!
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Wise choice to go with a guided tour that can handle packs and food. Sounds like a great start.
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Yes, I didn’t regret that decision for a second.
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I am sorry I haven’t been able to read all your posts but now I will try my best to read them… and I will repeat what I said earlier …Write a book about this adventure, it would sell. 🙂 Fall has been extremely busy for me and then x-mas and then going away ( a few week in California was not a bad idea) and now …hum..you’ll have to keep reading my posts to find out what is ahead. Announcing something exciting very soon. I am not getting married or divorced. Not pregnant (too old for that) so I guess I am going on a trip.But where ?
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Hmmm, let me guess…another camino??!! 🙂
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