My Itinerary, Costs & Hiking Information

August	Activity	Details/Notes	Costs	Distance	Ascent	Descent	Time^^
5	Travel	Fly Esp to Perth. Accommodation in Perth	$200 $215
6	Travel	Fly Perth to Alice Springs Alice Silver Shuttle Shop @ Woolworths Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn	$600 $20 $130 $85
7	Day 1	Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap	$10	31	909	819	9.5
8	Day 2	Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek	$10	28	709	580	8.5
9	Day 3	Jay Creek to Standley Chasm via valley route	$10	15	597	556	6.5
10	Day 4	Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole	$10	20	795	852	9
11	Day 5	Birthday Waterhole to Ghost Gum Flat	$10	22	717	630	11
12	Day 6	Ghost Gum Flat to Ellery Creek South	$10	25	717	826	10
13	Day 7	Ellery Creek South to Serpentine Chalet	$10	30	1158	1014	11.5
14	Day 8	Serpentine Chalet to Hermits Rest	$10	17	708	460	7.5
15	Day 9	Hermits Rest to Ormiston Gorge	$10	15	226	614	5
16	Day 10	Ormiston Gorge to Hilltop Lookout	$10	20.5	710	383	7
17	Day 11	Hilltop Lookout to Redbank George + Mt Sonder	$10	34.5	1139	1449	13.5
18	Travel	Explore Redbank Gorge Larapinta Express to Alice Springs Flight to Perth Perth accommodation	$600 $200	3	46	79	1.5
19	Travel	Flight Perth to Esperance	$200
	Other	NT Park access fee Walking fee Larapinta Express Trail Package	$15 $35 $588

Navigation

You will want to consider what level of navigation support you need on the trail. Note that the trail is well-maintained, with regular blue triangles marking the route. A huge thank you to the trail designers, trail makers, and maintainers. You have done a world-class job, placing trails on southern slopes that provide shade when possible. The stairs were functional and artistic, and the waterfalls of rock and traverses were level, offering secure foot placement.

Each of the 12 sections’ shelters has a logbook for recording your passing through. Please complete.

Daily Routine

I got up between 5:00 and 6:00 am, depending on the length of the upcoming hike and the day’s temperature. I would pack up and start walking in 30 minutes, often under a headlight. For this reason, I brought two.

After 90-120minutes of walking, I would have breakfast. The first 2-3 hours of the day were the most enjoyable. A night of rest had energised my body; the morning was cool and comfortable for hiking, the bird song was captivating, and the flies were still sleeping. Around 9-10 am, direct sun would start to warm the surroundings, and the flies would begin to move. This activity indicated the temperature was rising above 20 degrees.

I would continue to walk in 2-hour intervals, taking breaks of 15 minutes (snack break) or 30 minutes (meal break). Each time I stopped, I would remove my shoes and socks to let my feet air out and dry. Ah Bliss! Socks were rotated at each stop and the damp ones hung to dry on my pack.

I aimed to stop around 3:00 – 5:00 pm to allow time to set up the tent, unpack my sleeping gear, rehydrate, filter water for the next day, and cook my meal. I was in bed around 7.30 and asleep by 8.00 pm. Oh, did I love my bed!

Gear

The Larapina Trail is challenging. An obvious statement for some, but I met people who had never set up their tent before, never carried their pack before and bought second-hand sports shoes in Alice Springs just before heading out. This is not good gear selection or preparation. For your own safety and enjoyment while hiking, be familiar with your gear and have some repair options with you.

My base weight was 12kg, plus 3-4kg of water and 3kg of food after a drop pickup.

Day Gear

• Baseball hat + fly net, beanie, buff #
• Macpac rain jacket
• Macpac Alpine series fleece with hood
• Mountain Designs Reactor down jacket
• Long shirt #
• Shorts * 2 (#)
• Socks * 3 (#), Mechanix gloves #
• Asics Gel Trabuco trail runners #
• Macpac 30L waterproof bag

(# Wearing items so no included in base weight)

Night Gear

• Head torch * 2
• Thermal long sleeve shirt, quick dry trunks
• Tevas, socks * 1
• X-Mid Pro 1 tent + groundsheet + 10 pegs,
• OnePlanet  Bungle V2 bag + 13L compression sack
• Sea to Summit Ether Light XT insulated mat, Aeros down pillow
• Nemo Switchback mat short

Other

• Gossamer Mariposa 60L Pack + Nalgene/Osprey 3L bladder
• Komperdell Carbon zero hiking poles (no baskets)
• Quick dry towel small
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, bugs off cream, small repair kit
• 1 L Nalgene, Steripen Ultra, Filter
• First aid kit + snake bite *2 bandages, Aero foam/aluminum splint, toothbrush + paste, toilet paper/ Dettol wipes
• Storage cubes * 2 for food, 15m of Lawsons reflective cord + cable ties
• MSR PocketRocket stove + 200gm fuel, fire striker, Titanium billy/lid, Wave multitool, long handle spoon

Electronics^{^}

• Samsung 32+ phone, Iridium satellite phone
• Garmin IR Mini 2, Garmin Enduro2 watch
• Power bank Nitcore 20K + Mi10K
• Insta360 X5 + Invisible Stick + quick release pack holder,
• Joby GorillaPod 3K + ball head, Small Rig phone holder
• Blue wall 240V adapter, USB to Garmin watch, USB to Shotz, USB to C (phone, IR), USB to mini

My Next Time

Itinerary

I completed this hike in 11 days and was picked up on the morning of Day 12, which definitely pushed me physically. Some hikers parachute into Simpsons Gap or Orminstons Gorge, saying they want to avoid the boring flat starts. Personally, I really enjoyed the slow transition from Alice Springs to Simpson’s Gap in Section 1. It enabled me to get my gear sorted, develop a walking rhythm and settle into enjoying a changing landscape. Each to their own, but if you have the time, I would encourage you to complete all sections.

If I were to do it again, I would aim for 13 days on the trail, with the extra 2 days spent exploring and resting at South Ellory and Orminston Gorge.

Gear I Would Leave Behind

I didn’t use my down jacket, beanie, rain jacket, bug cream, 10K power bank, satellite phone or snake bite bandages. I would leave at home the down jacket, satellite phone, beanie, bug cream, and 10,000mAh power bank.

Gear I Would Add

I would bring a 4L water cell (160gms) as a backup in case my 3L bladder fails. If you can’t carry 3-4L of water, you won’t be able to continue the hike, so a backup is critical. It will also provide extra capacity for longer days or when camping at the ridge camps.

^ Charging

It is worth noting that the trail maps indicate charging options are available at several of the shelters. I found that at best, they weren’t working and at worst, they drained power from your electronic item. I had reliable charging options at Standley Chasm (240V and USB) and Orminston Gorge (240V). Some people were carrying solar panels (20-30W) on their backpacks. They weigh around 600gms and cost $100-$200 depending on quality. To work, they need to face the sun. Additionally, I prefer things to be stable and not blow around, and they would need to be removed to access the pack contents.

Gear & Number of Recharges

• Kindle (none)
• Garmin Enduro 2 (one)
• Garmin InReach Mini2 (none)
• Shokz headset ( one)
• Flextail inflator (one)
• Samsung S32+ in aeroplane mode/BT (four)
• Insta360 X5 (two)
• Iridium phone (none)