Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Trip reports, stories, track notes. Multiple/large photos are OK in this forum.
Forum rules
Posting large/multiple images in this forum is OK. Please start topic titles with the name of the location or track.

For topics focussed on photos rather than the trip, please consider posting in the 'Gallery' forum instead.

This forum is for posting information about trips you have done, not for requesting information about a track or area.

Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Tue 01 May, 2018 11:41 am

I set off from Alice Springs this morning, solo, and am now having a leisurely early lunch at the Telegraph Station. Talk about a gentle start!

Already I've seen two dingoes, a rock wallaby, a euro, and some colourful birds different from what I'm familiar with from the east coast.

My base weight is 12.5kg, plus 4kg food and water, and it feels suspiciously light today. Probably because I'm fresh and rested, enough so that I went via the Bradshaw Track instead of along the Todd River, adding an extra kilometre.

I'm heading for Wallaby Gap tonight. I didn't want an eary start today because the Telegraph Station Cafe wouldn't have been open yet.

I had forgotten how annoying the Central Australia face flies can be, but I don't like repellent either so I'll see how it goes.
Attachments
20180501_093631_1525138317179_1.JPG
Day 1
20180501_093631_1525138317179_1.JPG (117.03 KiB) Viewed 45634 times
20180501_091858_1525138715302_1.JPG
Pack with solar panel
20180501_091858_1525138715302_1.JPG (169.34 KiB) Viewed 45634 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Tue 01 May, 2018 5:48 pm

After spending two hours at the Telegraph Station, I put on my fly veil and set off for Wallaby Gap, where I have the campsite to myself tonight.

Euro Ridge sure is nice. The track runs right along the edge of the bluff, and you feel like you're on the top of the world, walking an elevated path high above everything else.
Attachments
20180501_151144_1525160489223_2.JPG
Looking south from Euro Ridge
20180501_151144_1525160489223_2.JPG (208.99 KiB) Viewed 45618 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby crollsurf » Tue 01 May, 2018 6:09 pm

Keep the reports coming. Im stuck behind a desk. Just thought I'd tell you that ;)

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
User avatar
crollsurf
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2216
Joined: Tue 07 Mar, 2017 10:07 am
Location: Sydney
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby bigkev » Tue 01 May, 2018 7:22 pm

Enjoy the walk ribuck, it's a nice one :D
User avatar
bigkev
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 442
Joined: Sat 30 Jun, 2012 6:44 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Wed 02 May, 2018 10:46 am

crollsurf wrote:Keep the reports coming. Im stuck behind a desk. Just thought I'd tell you that ;)

I'm sure it's a very fine desk, crollsurf.

After a pleasant but hot night at Wallaby Gap, I'm now on a short side-trip to Scorpion Pool. No scorpions visible, which is a pity as I've never seen one in the wild.

30 degrees yesterday, 31 forecast today, and the same again tomorrow, and not dropping below 20 until hours after midnight. I could have taken my 600g summer sleeping bag, instead of my 1.6kg monster.
Attachments
20180502_095337_1525221155618_1.JPG
Heavitree Range from Scorpion Pool
20180502_095337_1525221155618_1.JPG (154.24 KiB) Viewed 45579 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Wed 02 May, 2018 4:03 pm

A short walk today, 15km including side trips, but enough given the 31 degree heat.

I didn't see anyone on the track, just a baby snake coloured dusty orange and olive, probably optimum colours for camouflage in this terrain.

I have the campsite to myself again tonight. How's this for my view from the sleeping platform?
Attachments
20180502_151746_1525240284142_1.JPG
View from the Simpsons Gap sleeping platform
20180502_151746_1525240284142_1.JPG (123.32 KiB) Viewed 45566 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Thu 03 May, 2018 2:29 pm

Dingoes howling at dawn today.

Not another person on the trail. To think that I have this amazing country all to myself!
Attachments
20180503_101324_1525321147313_2.JPG
The name's "Gap". ... "Bond Gap".
20180503_101324_1525321147313_2.JPG (210.66 KiB) Viewed 45533 times
20180503_104323_1525321146527_1.JPG
Rock arch bridge on the track below Arrenge Bluff
20180503_104323_1525321146527_1.JPG (242.54 KiB) Viewed 45533 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby jobell » Thu 03 May, 2018 7:57 pm

Lucky you having it all to yourself! Looks fantastic, keep the updates coming, following with interest

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
"Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R.Tolkien
User avatar
jobell
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 303
Joined: Thu 01 Sep, 2011 9:48 pm
Region: Australian Capital Territory
Gender: Female

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Fri 04 May, 2018 10:33 am

Thanks jobell.

When I was still 2km from Jay Creek I heard loud machinery operating. When I got there, the shelter was blocked by two trucks and an excavator. Plumbing contractors were replacing the dunny tank, and its contents were spilling out.

I retreated to the riverbed for a brew, all the time thinking "Get out of my campsite. Hurry up and get out of my campsite". Eventually at 5:15 they departed, leaving the site nice and tidy, including having spread earth over the spillage.

Again I had the campsite to myself.

The walk along the river bed to Fish Pond is lovely (although lots of cattle dung and some cattle too). You're not allowed to swim through the pond, so the trail goes up a side creek which develops into a gorgeous little gorge sprinkled with cycads. Only when I got to an awkward scramble did I realize that I had missed the turnoff out of the creek.

I'm now on the alternative high route. Again, no-one else on the trail.
Attachments
20180504_073458_1525392930925_1.JPG
Hmm, time to check the map perhaps.
20180504_073458_1525392930925_1.JPG (216.08 KiB) Viewed 45492 times
20180504_091147_1525393796693_1.JPG
Back in the high country.
20180504_091147_1525393796693_1.JPG (220.32 KiB) Viewed 45492 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby north-north-west » Fri 04 May, 2018 10:47 am

The high route to Tangentyere is better anyway.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
User avatar
north-north-west
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 15069
Joined: Thu 14 May, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: The Asylum
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Social Misfits Anonymous
Region: Tasmania

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Fri 04 May, 2018 4:51 pm

north-north-west wrote:The high route to Tangentyere is better anyway.

The ascent track has recently been reworked and has a good gradient so you hardly feel the climb. Up top there are great views in both directions, and good phone coverage too. The descent is an energetic one down a striking gully.

Again I had the trail to myself today, but here at Standley Chasm campsite I have finally met some other through hikers. They started at Redbank Gorge 10 days ago. They confirmed my suspicions that there will be no water at Waterfall Gorge, and that the water at Fringe Lily Camp will be dubious at best. It has been a dry summer, and there has been no heavy rain for over a year.
Attachments
20180504_144133_1525415292882_3.JPG
Salt contours on my shirt, from sweat
20180504_144133_1525415292882_3.JPG (92.9 KiB) Viewed 45479 times
20180504_143531_1525415291478_1.JPG
Standley Chasm campsite
20180504_143531_1525415291478_1.JPG (207.48 KiB) Viewed 45479 times
20180504_135040_1525415292295_2.JPG
Standley Chasm. Best viewed off-peak.
20180504_135040_1525415292295_2.JPG (183.21 KiB) Viewed 45479 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sat 05 May, 2018 12:26 pm

Another gorgeous day, not so hot today at 16 degrees. Also a few more people on the track: day walkers, a trail runner, and a couple of section hikers.
Attachments
20180504_143712_1525486617706_1.JPG
No Grog at Standley Chasm, but the cafe has some good alcohol-free beers.
20180504_143712_1525486617706_1.JPG (155.56 KiB) Viewed 45447 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sat 05 May, 2018 4:59 pm

So I reached Brinkley Bluff and there's no-one there. Just a couple of dozen tent pads. How will I chose? Do I need a 360 degree view, or is 270 enough? What if I have to walk five metres for the view, instead of just looking out of my tent door? Do I want to face north or south? Do I need good sitting stones and table stones?

In the end I chose a pad that had a base of dirt rather than pebbles, to protect the floor of my tent (having not brought the footprint).

The Heavitree Range, which has been visible most of the way since Alice Springs, and sometimes looms high, now looks so tiny and insignificant from this lofty perch.
Attachments
20180505_144446_1525503278209_2.JPG
That will do.
20180505_144446_1525503278209_2.JPG (212.06 KiB) Viewed 45432 times
20180505_152139_1525503277496_1.JPG
That will do nicely.
20180505_152139_1525503277496_1.JPG (157.37 KiB) Viewed 45432 times
20180505_162425_1525503290672_1.JPG
Spot the Heavitree Range.
20180505_162425_1525503290672_1.JPG (146.76 KiB) Viewed 45432 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby north-north-west » Sat 05 May, 2018 5:41 pm

Yeah, that's the best of tent sites on Brinkley, but if the wind comes up overnight you're going to be very uncomfortable.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
User avatar
north-north-west
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 15069
Joined: Thu 14 May, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: The Asylum
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Social Misfits Anonymous
Region: Tasmania

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby neilmny » Sun 06 May, 2018 8:39 am

Great report and photos ribuck. Thanks for posting.
User avatar
neilmny
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2604
Joined: Fri 03 Aug, 2012 11:19 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sun 06 May, 2018 10:03 am

north-north-west wrote:... if the wind comes up overnight you're going to be very uncomfortable.

The wind was OK, but there's a definite problem with the site that I picked. It's a few metres to the north of the ridgeline, and doesn't have mobile internet coverage like some of the other sites.

So I couldn't check the weather forecast, download podcasts, and post this at 7am while I was snuggled in my sleeping bag and it was 2 degrees outside. First World Problem, eh? Since I have an easy day today, I decided to wait until it warmed up a bit before emerging from my tent.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby north-north-west » Tue 08 May, 2018 9:19 am

ribuck wrote:... 2 degrees outside.

A nice warm morning for the Centre.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
User avatar
north-north-west
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 15069
Joined: Thu 14 May, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: The Asylum
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Social Misfits Anonymous
Region: Tasmania

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Thu 17 May, 2018 7:45 pm

After I left Brinkley Bluff, I had no more internet. I'm with Aldi Mobile, which uses the Telstra network, but perhaps not all of it. Using my dual sim phone, I could access internet from high places using my UK sim card on roaming, but not with the Aldi sim, and the UK sim would have been too expensive for posting here. I had hoped to "live post" the whole walk, but I'm back now :( and the rest of my reports will come over the next few days.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Thu 17 May, 2018 8:21 pm

Having done a water carry to Brinkley Bluff, I opted for a short day to Birthday Junction instead of doing another water carry up to Rocky Ridge.

Steve and Kate, a New Zealand couple, arrived later, having started from Alice Springs two days after me. Their finish date is the same as mine, so I guess we'll be seeing each other a bit.

The next day, Steve and Kate walked on to Hugh Gorge Camp (which is after the gorge), but to my mind this is a section to be savoured and I wanted to camp within it. The ruggedness of Spencer Gorge, the vistas revealed at the windy saddles, the view from Rocky Ridge past Fringe Lily Creek and up the long valley to the cliffs at Hugh Gorge Junction ... it's rewarding country.

Camping at Hugh Gorge Junction didn't appeal (too hot and dusty), but a little way upstream I found a fabulous shaded sandbank just big enough for one tent, with a view of cycads, red cliffs, and rocks of all hues in the creekbed.

These amazing rocks - purple, gold, red, green, and white - covered in streaks and dapples and swirls of other colours - are apparently the same rocks that form the rust-red walls of the gorge. Occasional floodwaters are enough to scour the oxides off the surface of the rocks in the creekbed.

I got my water from the permanent waterhole at the top of the gorge. The smaller ponds I passed along the way were stagnant and putrid (cattle), but the big pool was good water.
Attachments
20180506_121209_1526280715965_4.JPG
Occasional dirt stretches make a nice change from rocks
20180506_121209_1526280715965_4.JPG (220.15 KiB) Viewed 45045 times
20180508_135710_1526280714373_1.JPG
Give me a fly net to protect me from the flies, sunglasses to protect my eyes, and a flapped hat to protect me from the sun, and I'm good to go.
20180508_135710_1526280714373_1.JPG (129.64 KiB) Viewed 45045 times
20180512_085213_1526280715291_3.JPG
An anthill giving me the finger as I pass by
20180512_085213_1526280715291_3.JPG (207.53 KiB) Viewed 45045 times
20180507_132532_1526280716741_5.JPG
Is this a Fringe Lily perhaps? Two of them were growing out of the rock face at Fringe Lily Creek.
20180507_132532_1526280716741_5.JPG (92.1 KiB) Viewed 45045 times
20180507_164439_1526280714839_2.JPG
Looking up from my tent site in Hugh Gorge
20180507_164439_1526280714839_2.JPG (155.8 KiB) Viewed 45045 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Fri 18 May, 2018 12:38 pm

The next day I made my way through Hugh Gorge. There's lots of water in the gorge, but much of it is too green and frothy for drinking. There's also nowhere that's 100m from a watercourse, so I "held it in" until I reached the dunny at the official campsite.

Yesterday I had my first injury. On Rocky Ridge, I hit my head hard on a low-flying branch while I was watching my feet. The rebound almost knocked me down the cliff. I thought I might see stars, but today it's just blood and a massive bruise.

I was going to camp at Ghost Gum Flat, which was pleasant enough when I got there, but the shade soon moved away from the campsite and I figured I might as well keep moving. There were remains of a big campfire at Ghost Gum Flat, and from the map it looks like this campsite may be just outside the national park.

I pitched my tent by the side of the track, in the middle of nowhere, as dusk approached. It was a warm and still night, so I didn't pitch the outer, and I stargazed through the mesh as I have done on several nights now.
Attachments
20180508_144526_1526604000042_4.JPG
Looking up from the table at Ghost Gum Flat
20180508_144526_1526604000042_4.JPG (243.67 KiB) Viewed 45011 times
20180508_150807_1526603999223_3.JPG
Fire circle at Ghost Gum Flat
20180508_150807_1526603999223_3.JPG (247.16 KiB) Viewed 45011 times
20180508_163421_1526603998460_2.JPG
Guess my footwear...
20180508_163421_1526603998460_2.JPG (232.35 KiB) Viewed 45011 times
20180508_175913_1526603997919_1.JPG
Trackside camp
20180508_175913_1526603997919_1.JPG (143.3 KiB) Viewed 45011 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby deadwood » Sat 19 May, 2018 10:10 am

Enjoying the blog and photos thanks ribuck. We're heading out there very soon, so nice to see some current info. What's your thoughts on whether gaiters are a good idea or not for the current track conditions?
deadwood
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat 06 Oct, 2012 7:29 pm
Region: Queensland

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sat 19 May, 2018 1:28 pm

deadwood wrote:What's your thoughts on whether gaiters are a good idea or not for the current track conditions?

I wore super-lightweight long pants and was happy with that. Shorts and gaiters would have been fine too.

The concerns are snakes and spinifex. I got the occasional spinifex prickle through my pants, which was no problem, but if I was going off track for more than a few km I would definitely wear gaiters.

I only saw one snake, just a baby.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby deadwood » Sat 19 May, 2018 6:12 pm

thanks ribuck.
deadwood
Atherosperma moschatum
Atherosperma moschatum
 
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat 06 Oct, 2012 7:29 pm
Region: Queensland

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sat 19 May, 2018 6:19 pm

Some people find the long flat stretch between Hugh Gorge and Ellery Creek to be tedious, but I enjoyed it.

You are crossing the large plain that separates the Chewings Range from the Heavitree Range. The going is fast, and the scenery changes rapidly as you progress. At first, you can look back to Brinkley Bluff, Paisley Bluff and Hugh Gorge Bluff, but one by one these recede into the distance and new parts of the range come into view, eventually all the way up to Mt Giles.

On the other side, you see various passes and gaps, and can try to work out which one is Ellery Creek.

The Larapinta crosses to the other side of the Heavitree Range over a short but dramatic scramble. Suddenly the view changes, and so does the vegetation. There's no more of the of the introduced Buffett Grass and from now it's spinifex all the way.

I hadn't realised that Larapinta walkers are allowed to camp in the riverbed at Ellery Ck, but this would have been a far superior option because the main camping area was dusty, and noisy until after 1am. Don't expect to find a shower here - water is scarce and there aren't even wash basins in the toilet block.

Some people were swimming in the waterhole. I paddled a bit, but it was quite cold and didn't seem particularly clean so I didn't swim.

The next day is low-level to Serpentine Gorge. The track is not particularly special, but there are some nice spots. In particular I would have loved to camp on the tiny tent pad clearing just after the trig point. Lovely spot, but it was to soon to camp.
Attachments
20180509_162803_1526717819731_2.JPG
Ellery Creek Ice Pond
20180509_162803_1526717819731_2.JPG (159.3 KiB) Viewed 44930 times
20180507_132645_1526717818863_1.JPG
A heavitree.
20180507_132645_1526717818863_1.JPG (240.82 KiB) Viewed 44930 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Sun 20 May, 2018 12:56 pm

A journalist once asked John Lennon whether Ringo was one of the best drummers in the world. John responded that Ringo wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles.

I was reminded of this at Serpentine Gorge. There's an energetic walk up to a lookout. The setting is magnificent - you round a ridge and suddenly find yourself at the top of a dramatically-shaped cliff with a view of the inaccessible inner valley, and beyond it the narrowest and most serpentinous part of the gorge.

A National Park sign proclaims that it's one of the best views in the Northern Territory. But it's not even the best view on the Larapinta.

The best view is the following day when the track ascends to Counts Point, which is on a short side trip. Here there is a view to write home about. The whole of the remainder of the walk is laid out in front of you.

In the distance is Mt Zeil, the highest point in the Territory. It's flanked by the massive massif of Mt Giles, and by Mt Sonder which lies at the end of the Larapinta Trail. Directly in front of us is a valley, hidden to the outside world, formed by two parallel lines of mountains, which I'll be entering tomorrow.

I have another minor injury. A Telemark turn on the zig-zagging descent to Serpentine Gorge went wrong, leaving me with a graze on my palm and a sore knee.

My footwear is Dunlop KT26 runners. Nice and lightweight, and my feet feel great. No blisters, no rubbing, and not too hot on the 30 degree days during the early days of the trip.
Attachments
20180510_142520_1526784557849_3.JPG
Looking back from "one of the best views in the NT"
20180510_142520_1526784557849_3.JPG (188.82 KiB) Viewed 44874 times
20180510_143646_1526784556720_1.JPG
The forbidden inner sanctum of Serpentine Gorge - swimming prohibited, and not climbable
20180510_143646_1526784556720_1.JPG (181.52 KiB) Viewed 44874 times
20180511_112229_1526784557296_2.JPG
Part of the view from Counts Point
20180511_112229_1526784557296_2.JPG (138 KiB) Viewed 44874 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ChrisJHC » Mon 21 May, 2018 12:19 pm

Dunlop KT26s!

That brings back memories. I didn’t realise they still made them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ChrisJHC
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 783
Joined: Sat 25 Feb, 2017 8:22 pm
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Mon 21 May, 2018 1:20 pm

ChrisJHC wrote:Dunlop KT26s ... I didn’t realise they still made them.

So many people have said the same thing to me, but every Big W store sells them. The design is slightly improved compared to old times: the splay on the sole is not so exaggerated, so the shoe no longer gets occasionally wedged between rocks.

I switched to KT26s after weighing them and realising they were about 25% lighter than my Volleys.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Mon 21 May, 2018 2:06 pm

Minor gear problems have arisen with my water containers. I'm carrying two one-litre bottles plus a 5 litre polythene water bag (more substantial than a wineskin).

The lid of one water bottle has developed a crack, probably from being overtightened. It now leaks slowly if the bottle is not vertical. Superglue doesn't stick to polypropylene (which is why they make superglue containers out of it), so I'll just need to be careful to keep it upright. The 5L bag has a pinprick leak which slowly drips. I've patched the hole with a self-adhesive tent repair patch, which seems to be holding.

I got to Serpentine Chalet Gorge at 2.10pm, where I caught up with Steve and Kate the Kiwis, but there was nothing special to keep me there so early in the day. I had passed a cute solo thru-hiker (Jane from Perth) who recommended a tent site near Waterfall Gully. I decided to go for it, and loaded up with water.

I didn't really expect to get there before dark, but I pulled out all the stops and headed out through Inarlanga Pass and into the linear valley. Maybe it was just the late afternoon light, but I found this valley enchantingly beautiful as I raced through it. Much to my surprise, I got there at 6.15, just in time to pitch my tent before darkness. Lovely spot, and all to myself.
Attachments
20180511_151721_1526874971798_3.JPG
Inarlanga Pass ... the last "wild" gap on the trip
20180511_151721_1526874971798_3.JPG (185.64 KiB) Viewed 44784 times
20180511_162648_1526874971129_2.JPG
A ghost gum that's had a hard life. When I stepped off the trail to fit it all into the frame, it was on a side-track beaten down by countless previous photographers.
20180511_162648_1526874971129_2.JPG (177.58 KiB) Viewed 44784 times
20180511_170827_1526874970535_1.JPG
Linear valley as twilight approaches
20180511_170827_1526874970535_1.JPG (160.58 KiB) Viewed 44784 times
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby ribuck » Tue 22 May, 2018 6:19 pm

I got an early start. There's a small climb between the Waterfall Gully campsite and the dry waterfall, and a super view opens up briefly to Mt Sonder in the distance, at the end of a long valley. It looked glorious bathed in the soft morning light, and I can imagine it would look even better from Hill Top Lookout at sunrise.

The trail climbs to Giles View lookout, which offers an impressive vista of the whole of Ormiston Pound and the surrounding ranges. There are a few tent spots here, but they are very exposed to the wind. A short distance further is Hermits Hideaway, which would make a great overnight stop. It's pretty much the only camping space on the Larapinta Trail which is on the tops AND is sheltered from the wind.

I made quick time to the Ormiston Gorge trackhead. I have noticed that trackheads where the logbook has a pen get more than double the through traffic compared to those where the log book has no pen.

After an iced chocolate at the cafe, I filled up with water and set out on the Pound Walk, which I thought was fairly nondescript.

When I hit Ormiston Creek I turned right, then right again up the tributary that leads towards the base of Mt Giles. It's a beautiful creek, and there were plenty of waterholes so I needn't have carried water. I found a nice place and camped.
Attachments
20180522_090832_1526976722765_4.JPG
Mt Sonder in the dawn light
20180522_090832_1526976722765_4.JPG (64.81 KiB) Viewed 44733 times
20180512_112925_1526976720577_1.JPG
An overdose of grand scenery
20180512_112925_1526976720577_1.JPG (192.25 KiB) Viewed 44733 times
20180513_093049_1526976721965_3.JPG
The prevailing wind is revealed...
20180513_093049_1526976721965_3.JPG (253.11 KiB) Viewed 44733 times
20180512_174041_1526976721305_2.JPG
A great campsite ... all that's missing is a campfire...
20180512_174041_1526976721305_2.JPG (149.22 KiB) Viewed 44733 times
Last edited by ribuck on Sat 26 May, 2018 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
ribuck
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1883
Joined: Wed 15 May, 2013 3:47 am
Region: Other Country
Gender: Male

Re: Larapinta Trail report May 1-16 2018

Postby johnw » Tue 22 May, 2018 10:53 pm

Nice report and photos ribuck, it looks like you had a good time. Larapinta trail is on my bucket list, so I hope to do it eventually. Just curious how you find your Naturehike tent? I've been eyeing that model off on Aliexpress for a while as they're quite inexpensive. Been looking for a freestanding alternative to my Terra Nova Laser Comp 1, and hopefully with better ventilation.
John W

In Nature's keeping they are safe, but through the agency of man destruction is making rapid progress - John Muir c1912
User avatar
johnw
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8985
Joined: Wed 23 Jan, 2008 11:59 am
Location: Macarthur Region - SW Sydney
Region: New South Wales
Gender: Male

Next

Return to SA, WA & NT Trip Reports & Track Notes

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

cron