Larapinta Trail Day 1: Section 1a: Telegraph Station – Wallaby Gap (13.5km)
Itinerary
After collecting you in Alice Springs from your hotel at 7.30am we begin our adventure on the Larapinta Trail at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the official start of this incredible wilderness journey. Our first morning is spent following the old telegraph line through the ancient granite rock country, north of Alice Springs. We cross the Ghan Railway, trek through dry riverbeds and along high escarpments to the top of Euro Ridge, where we enjoy a delicious fresh lunch overlooking the Alice Valley and the vast MacDonnell Ranges. The trail heads downhill to Wallaby Gap where hopefully we encounter some of its well-hidden inhabitants. Our camp, a refreshing drink and a comfy chair aren’t too far away. The afternoon is spent relaxing, spotting the abundant birdlife that lives around camp, setting up a tent and enjoying our first dinner together. As the evening light changes over the surrounding ranges, we recount our first day’s highlights and discuss tomorrow’s walk, before going to bed under a ceiling of millions of stars.
13.5km/6hr walk
Glenda’s thoughts
Up early for a 730am pickup. Transport vehicle (soon to be known as the “Troopy”) very full!! (we found it seemed to grow during the 16 days together hehe!) All women except for Walter & one of the guides, Adam.
Very windy along the trail meaning softshell jacket on most of the day. Easy walk. We had some good views back over Alice and crossed the tracks of the famous & luxurious Ghan railway
Climb up Euro Ridge spectacular. Have to get used to eating lunch on the move. Resorted to rolls with ham and cheese – others did a much better job of loading on the lettuce, tomato, carrot, beetroot & avo.
Here is a link to a short video of us walking along Euro Ridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfzoqixN1r4
Have to learn to set up house, roll swag (something I didn’t end up doing as Walter did such a good job, he did both of ours every time). Changing clothes in the open is bound to become normal – will get to know each other intimately.
Sitting around a cheese platter before dinner. Still windy & cold. No fire as we’re in the National Park. Hopefully not too cold overnight (wishful thinking!!) Looking forward to the stars. Ended up seeing plenty of stars, satellites and even a couple of shooting stars. Was cold and windy though – thought my cheeks would get frost bite!
The designated 13.5km became a little under 15km – we soon discovered that bonus km were a regular, largely daily, occurrence.
You can watch a summary of our day 1 adventures here.