Larapinta 1: Alice to Simpson’s Gap

Today’s the day it all starts. We’re feeling good but there’s some trepidation that we are not prepared enough for what’s ahead.

We are picked up in the troopy and over the next few minutes meet our fellow walkers. All seem about the same age, give or take, six women and two men including us. Then a short drive takes us to Telegraph Station and we start walking. Within minutes we settle into an order [that I now know will pretty much last the entire 14 days]: Me, S from the USA, F from Sydney, Jennifer, U from Melbourne, D from WA, S from WA, and N from WA. Our guides are Sam and Tess.

We are only about thirty minutes into walking through grasslands when we see Euros on a rocky outcrop. Within a short time it feels like we are in the middle of nowhere – just us, grass and distant hills. We crossed thee track for the Ghan complete with bullet ridden sign post. The walk followed a winding path that took us up the escarpment and along a confronting cliff edge to Wallaby Gap. Then there was another 10km or so to Simpsons Gap.

There were flies, oh so many flies.

Our first experience putting up camp was a little haphazard especially as it was getting dark and, as soon as the Sun was not directly on us, cold. We each have a little tent and a swag.

We covered 24km for the day on mostly good track.