It’s the penultimate day and I am feeling equal parts sad and excited. It’s hard to believe the adventure is almost over.
I have so loved the walking, the wide, open spaces and all the gorgeous colours. I am excited though about the thought of getting into a real bed and having a whole wardrobe of clean clothes to choose from once I get home. Yes, I am not the brave and devil-may-care adventurer I like to think I am! 😊
Fill up your water bottle and slather on the sunscreen. We have a hot walk ahead of us today.
Date: Friday, 28 July 2023.
From: Rock Bar Gap Trailhead
To: Redbank Gorge
Section #: 11B
Rating: Moderate-Difficult.
Official/Map Distance: 11.1km Planned Distance: 12.4km Actual Distance: 13.3km
Progress: 227/223km
Ascent: 203m Descent: 162m
Terrain: Larapinta flat.
Started Walking: 0826 Finished: 1210pm Time/Hrs: 3h41m
Weather: Hot and clear.
Stayed At: Finke River camp.
General Comments:
- We were on our own starting out from Rocky Bar Gap trailhead this morning as all the Indies had already made tracks in the cooler hours. The camping at Rocky Bar Gap is less than inspiring and I suspect many walkers push on, joining stages 11A and 11B together. Yes, that would make for a long day, but then maybe the excitement of an imminent finish gives your legs wings.
- There was energy to burn in our legs this morning as we knew it was only a short day and one that would be relatively flat. It was hard not to rush to our destination and I consciously made myself slow down and truly absorb all that I was seeing. It was almost like I was saying goodbye to all the rocks and flowers.
- One of the many things that has surprised me about this trip was the weather. We have been blessed with fine weather other than a few sprinkles on the tent roof overnight, but it has been the heat that really surprised me. I thought we would be walking in the middle of Winter and had expected cold days and freezing cold nights. While we have had a patch of that, the bulk of the days have been hot, sweaty and thirsty. No wonder a few people died out here last year walking in Autumn. You just have to be super-prepared, over-prepared for the conditions.
- There was nothing hugely unique about the terrain today being continuously Larapinta flat. We stuck to the foothills of the range which obscured tomorrow’s challenge – Mt Sonder. Even though I couldn’t see it, it was doing that looming thing again, even if that looming was only happening in the back of my mind. My thoughts were on a replay loop ‘enjoy today’s path and sunshine as tomorrow’s stage will be very different’.
- Needless to say, there were endless rocks, rocks, and rocks, including one large boulder with a hole right through the centre of it. Clever Nature!
- I did love the beehive-like hill top. It really stood out from the surrounding undulating countryside.
- After inhaling our lunch at Redbank Gorge carpark, we piled back into the troopie to return to our Finke River campsite. It was only a quick stop at ‘home’ though as we grabbed our swimming, and other, gear for a return visit to Glen Helen Gorge.
- Glen Helen Gorge is simply magnificent and one of the largest waterways in this part of the World. No wonder it became the base for one of the original cattle stations out here before evolving into a substantial tourist development. It is also a fabulous swimming hole and I believe that at one stage, they offered boat cruises. Pretty special.
- Suitably refreshed by our dip in the Gorge, we repaired to the café for an hour or so of relaxation back on those comfy seats.
- The Partner in Crime and I also took the opportunity of some quiet time to corner one of our guides and pick his brain about the ins and outs of walking to Everest Base Camp. Watch this space!
- Today’s Word: Rocky
- Menu: Breakfast: Simple toast and coffee for me.
- Lunch: Mexican salad bowl with chicken.
- Dinner: Salmon steaks with grilled asparagus and mashed potato.
Top Tips for this Section:
- Use any spare time you have today to prepare for a very early start tomorrow, especially charging all your devices such as head lamps. Tomorrow’s section will involve many hours of walking in the dark, so head lamps need to be ready to go, including spare batteries if required.
- Sleep in Your Walking Clothes: If you want to save precious minutes in the early morning, consider sleeping in your walking clothes. I didn’t do this as all my clothes are now in the ‘none-too-fresh’ category. I just had everything at my fingertips, ready to pull on in the middle of the night.
#travelinspo #LarapintaTrail #multidayhikes #adventurebeforedementia #longdistancewalks #australianbush #WorldExpeditions #bushwalks #greatoutdoors #crosscountry #exploreonfoot #NorthernTerritory #CentralAustralia #discovernorthernterritory #WestMacDonnellRanges #OutbackAustralia #hikingadventures #epicadventures
Life...one big adventure 
Glen Helen Gorge is gorgeous. If you do EBC you must do the 3 Passes version. It is THE most beautiful hike in the world. 😊 Maggie
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Is that the one through Cho La pass? That’s what we have booked for October 2024! 🤪😮
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Exciting!! Ask away if you have any questions about the hike or about Nepal. 3 Passes goes over Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La. I think the view from Kongma La was our favourite. I did a 3 part post on the hike if you’re interested. Here’s a link to part 1. I also did a synopsis of the trek as a Page, it’s under Treks. https://monkeystale.ca/2018/05/01/everest-3-passes-trek-part-1/
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I am sure I will have the same amount of questions as nerves! 🙂
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Almost sad to see this ending, Mel. What a time you’ve had! Beautiful photos of the Gorge. EBC! Oh, my word…
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Yes, I know. You would have thought I would have come to my senses by now! 🙂
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Never!
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🙂 – I hope not too! 🙂
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That watering hole looks refreshing. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you wander over Sonder!
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Oh, you are such a wordsmith! Yes, we have arrived at that happy/sad part of an adventure.
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I am going to miss this trail. You have posted such wonderful images of this beautiful part of your country. I had to check the date – July! And since then you have (or still are) walking the Bibbulmun trail with Heather, though I haven’t seen an update from her since the end of October so maybe you have finished that one now too. You have been exceedingly busy this year – have you totalled up how many miles you have actually done so far? And the EBC next year! Wow!
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Where will your next adventure take place?
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A few smaller Aus adventures planned for next year before pulling up my Big Girl Britches and heading to Everest Base Camp in October. Now, that will be a challenge!
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Rocks, rocks, rocks and a beautiful swimming hole! Looks lovely
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Magical!
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What a thoroughly fabulous trail. I’m sad it is coming to an end
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Never fear, there are more adventures in the offing….
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Always!
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Happiness and sadness as one approaches the end – feelings so synonymous with a long walk. That rock with the hole right through the center – how stunning is that! “People died here walking last Autumn” … yes, that might not be something you want to hear at the beginning of this hike 👀.
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I was reminded on a daily basis of both the beauty and harshness of this country. You underestimate it at your peril and, unfortunately some people don’t take this hike serious enough.
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Oh wow – what a gorgeous penultimate day 🙂 That dip in the water looks so refreshing!
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It was bloody freezing, but you knew you were alive when you hit the water! Life is good.
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