202504 Larapinta Trail

225km, lots of metres, 14 days, rocky track.... Theresa gone to India.... yihaaaa, a bloke's adventure awaits. I have to blame Theresa for my newfound love of walking given her introduction to the Camino. And to combine that passion with landscape photography (another Theresa initiative) in a remote part of Australia was just too great a temptation.

So I signed up for it with Australian Walking Holidays, whom I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. These are excerpts from their web site: https://www.australianwalkingholidays.com.au/

I've bound each day's walk into a separate production. Took 600+ photos in my five days (more on that later). So have whittled it down as best I could.

Arrival into Alice Springs

I took the direct flight with Alliance from Brisbane to Alice Springs rather than via Sydney or Melbourne. Definitely the best route and the service was excellent. Pre-booked 13Cabs to take me to the Mercure on arrival. Seamless.

The Mercure was excellent. Close to the Lone Dingo store where our Larapinta briefing took place. Lone Dingo was very well stocked.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FLY NET! And lots of sunscreen :}:}

Day 1 Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap

Day 2 Simpsons Gap meander

Day 3 Exploring Standley Chasm

I decided on the spur of the moment NOT to do the planned walk. Standley Chasm impressed me greatly and I wanted to spend the day exploring and taking photographs. I was DEFINITELY NOT DISAPPOINTED.

Day 4 Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole

I decided NOT to put up my 2 person tent and to sleep in the swag, with a fly/mossie net. Was sensational. Fell asleep watching millions of stars AND the satellite freeway. I should have set the camera up outside the swag and periodically take photos using my remote trigger from inside the swag.

Heard dingos howling in the night. What an adventure!!!

Day 5 Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge

Darn.... staked myself!!!

4km from Hugh Gorge I staked my leg on a broken branch. Finn immediately packed the wound and the "mob" rallied around. Then stripped down to undies, swam around the rock and made my way to shore.

I decided given the depth of the wound, the immersion in the waterhole that it was best to head to Alice. Finn and Jacob made the arrangements. We met Matt halfway out of a very rough bush track and headed to town.

So ended my wonderful Larapinta adventure. Such is life. Unfinished business and long to return for Counts Point and Mt Sonder.

Final Wrap and thanks to all

Larapinta Trail remains on my bucket list. Why?

• There are more gorges to see, even more remote.

• Counts Point landscape is iconic.

• Mt Sonder watching the sunrise.

• Sleeping in the swag watching the star show.

• Getting more astrophotos.

One day.

Photos from my Larapinta Family!

Photos from when the tree stabbed me!!! LOL

NOT how I wanted my Larapinta to end. But such is life. We had to scamper along the edge of the gorge, slightly above the water. Hand holds and foot holds. I moved my leg to the next foot hold, didn't spot the broken tree branch and speared my lower leg.

Damn. Flies thought it was Christmas!!! Finn broke out the first aid kit. I grabbed a clear hankie to stem the blood flow feeding the flies. The group rallied around, bless them all. Then had to strip off and swim and wade through the waterhole.

Despite the fabulous dressing by Finn my mind is thinking. Deep wound. Stagnant waterhole. Flies. Infection. Lots of kilometres yet to walk. Hmmm. Time to phone a friend. Got hold of Theresa on my Sat phone. Very clear guidance.

• evacuate. Finn had told me this was mandatory given the injury. But could return if cleared by a Doctors.

• immediately start course of anti-biotics which is part of my medical kit.

• DO NOT go to the Alice Springs Hospital. There's no private emergency.

Divvied up my stuff amongst the group. Big hugs all round. A little emotional at leaving them, what a fabulous bunch of people. Thankful to Finn and Jacob for their concern and care. Matt and the entire team for getting me to Alice and keeping in touch.

Flew out next day to Sydney, then to Brisbane into the expert care of Theresa assisted by Thomas.

No infection. Took time to heal. All very good.

Larapinta still calls me. Didn't get the astro photos and yet more landscape photos.