Larapinta Trail – Tjoritja Ranges NT – Day 8

Thursday 09 June 2022
Serpentine Gorge to Ellery Creek North – Section 7
Distance 12.4km
Moving time 2:56
Track time 3:16
Temp 3′- maybe 17′
Up 197m Down 242m

Section 7 takes walkers through the Heavitree Range to enjoy expansive views across the Alice Valley to the north. The gently undulating terrain means this section can be easily completed in one day.

Today was quite an easy day except for the extra weight of 7 days food. My pack was about 13.5kg and 17kg for David. We needed to get away early so we could make use of the afternoon sun for charging purposes. But yet again we were last to leave at 9.33am. We started with a little uphill climb and a rocky section, with another climb and scramble then the next 6 or so km was undulating and quite pedestrian. It was nice to be able to walk it out without so much concentration. It was a beautiful walk through the Heavitree range with views of the Alice Valley. It was lovely to get to camp early in time for lunch. We managed to recharge and then I had a swim in the Gorge, it was freezing but invigorating for all my body. It was very cold. David lasted about 3 mins with his ankle in. He managed really well today and his ankle is not too sore tonight. He has a sore hip and his left knee is sore from protecting the right ankle yesterday. All in all a good result. I thought we might be back at Alice having a 5 day rest for David to recover. We met some more lovely people at Ellery Creek North camp today. A group of 4 young girls, a solo boy, a solo girl, a lady our age (Liza) and a couple and 1 friend. Plus a couple on the trail today. A great day also rejuvenating for our legs as it wasn’t too arduous.

Total walked so far 115.75km

: Trail notes – Section 7

: I think he is a little cold and pretending it is not time to get up. The sun hasn’t started to warm up his batteries yet.

: We are loving our new tent even though it looks like it is made of crepe paper. The 525g is worth it!

: Sunrise at Serpentine Gorge.

: Protecting our packs and food from the mice as they were here last night as well.

: Our packs are looking pretty full. Poor David needs to learn to eat less.

: ..The pack is pretty high and heavy today but our conditioning over the last week has improved and they don’t feel too bad.

: ..Ready for another day..

: David is off and running..

: We chose to go to Ellery CreekNorth as we heard it was a nicer camp away from civilisation..

: ..a little tricky roc k scrambling with a heavy pack..

: ..keeping your balance is the most important challenge at hand here..

: Thank goodness that is over, back on a nice trail again..

: ..as we continue along the undulating trail we enjoy beautiful views or the ranges..

: ..some dingo footprints in the creek bed..

: ..and some more beautiful views..

: ..David even takes his pack off for a breather today..

: ..some flowers along the trail..

: ..and again..

: ..and some more.

: See the Ellery Creek North camp shelter in the distance..

: ..David is on a mission to get to the charging station as most of our devices are in desperate need of charging and we were told this was the best one on the track..

: ..but once again his plans were foiled by a stop to share stories and garner information from a hiker heading west.. Oh well, I passed him and started the process on my phone..