Over 9 days we walked 77 km’s through some amazing country in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The ranges were named by the explorer, John McDouall Stuart in 1860 after the South Australian Govenor. Since 1993 the area has been known as the West MacDonnells National Park. It is now called Tjoritja (pronounced Choor-it-ja) / West MacDonnell NP but will soon just be known as Tjoritja NP. So many of the places we are visiting in the Northern Territory are being renamed with their aboriginal names. Sometimes its hard to keep up with the changes.
The Larapinta Trail follows the rocky spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges. This time on the Larapinta we decided to pick a selection of walks from the Trail, often starting at a trail head and then retracing our steps back, doing a loop walk or even hitchhiking back to the Lestervan. Enjoyed great bushcamps, NP camps and private campgrounds. We met some hardy Larapinta Trekkers tackling the 220 km iconic trail (which is rated as one of the planets top 20 treks), and had quite a social time as we trekked along. Most were surprised to see us on the track doing day walks, and most were young although the walkers came in all shapes, ages and sizes; solo trekkers, couples, fathers and sons, and a couple of guided groups of women.
Its kind of dangerouse leaving me in the wilderness for too long, as hiking on day nine I got an idea for a book. Must still be some publishing blood running in my veins!
These photos tell the story of our walks………
Day One in Standley Chasm – Walking in the Chasm and doing the loop walk – 5.2 kms
Day Two – Larapinta Trail – Section 4 from Standley Chasm to Reveal Saddle return – 11 km/5.5 hours
Day Three – Ormiston Gorge – Ghost Gum Walk – 3 km
Day Four – Larapinta Trail Section 10 from Ormiston Gorge to Glen Helen turnoff – 13 kms/5.25 hours
Day Five – Ormiston Pound Walk – 9.3 km/4 hours
DAY SIX – Serpentine Gorge Walk & Lookout (3 km/1.5 hrs) plus Ellery Creek Big Hole (1km)
DAY SEVEN – Larapinta Trail Section 8 from Serpentine Gorge to Counts Point return – 15 km/8 hours
DAY EIGHT – Redbank Gorge Walk and Lookout Walk – 3km plus Woodlands Campground walk -1.5 km
DAY NINE – Larapinta Trail Section 11 from Redbank Gorge heading to Rocky Bar Gap – 12 km/4 hrs
