Larapinta Trail – Tjoritja Ranges NT – Day 15

Thursday 16 June 2022
Standley Chasm to Jay Creek – Section 3
Distance 15.39km
Moving time 5:59
Track time 7:37
Temp 11′- 25
Up 726m Down 719m

“Section 3 is only 13.6 kilometres long but is quite a challenging walk through some of the steepest and most rugged country in the ranges. It can be completed in one day but a good level of fitness is required. Grade 4 – MODERATE TO DIFFICULT: Suitable for people with a good level of fitness. Bushwalking experience required. This track is rough with long steep sections.”

What a big day!
We set off at 8.50am and arrived at Jay Creek at 4.30pm. We had short breaks as we knew the terrain was tough and we hadn’t walked 15km for a few days.
The initial climb out of Standby Chasm was straight up 130m elevation over 1km. Some steps, lots of rock hopping and just up, up and up. I used my hiking poles for the first time and I think it helped a lot. Then we went straight back down, then up and then down again. After the initial up I packed away my poles but wished I hadn’t as the next couple of inclines I really noticed how much they stopped your glutes from burning. Over the next km we went up another 170m. It was a tough slog mostly climbing up rock steps ledges and big boulders. The first 3 elevations were only over 2.5km so they were very tough. We then descended 120m over the next 2.5km into the Gorge. The toughest climb came next 300m elevation over 1.5km. Up, up and up some more. This first 7 km took us 4 hours. We then enjoyed lunch with the most spectacular view. After lunch we walked along the ridge top over difficult rocky terrain but the views were amazing. We enjoyed the view walking along the ridge for about 30 mins. Then we went down down down over very rocky, tricky terrain, I had a couple of slips today but didn’t hit the deck thankfully. The views as we headed down were spectacular as well. We descended 300m in 50 mins over 2km with very few switch backs. It was very rocky with lots of loose rocks. We then followed an undulating smoother track for a few km. When we got to the 3km mark again the trail through us a few wobblies. A steep incline, followed by creek bed where we passed a a waterhole and Gorge and then lastly 1.5km of soft sand. By this stage I was wrecked. I did the Cliff Young shuffle to camp, it felt like the last km took me an hour. It was a tough day with very rewarding scenery. A few birds and bigger lizards, some new flowers and beautiful blue skies. The weather was pretty good and great for walking. We don’t have too far to go now. Section 2 which is 26km and Section 1 which is 24km. We will probably do this over 4 days. We enjoyed camp with Rebecca, Liza, Jim, Penny and Eric. This was our main camp buddies over the last 10 days. It had been quite lovely to get to know everyone a little better. The sunset tonight was quite spectacular and the stars are so bright tonight. We are lying in bed watching the stars from our tent. Boy are we the lucky ones.

: Section 3 trailhead notes..

: As I already knew – today was a tough day. It started with a nice walk for about 500m towards the chasm. This was a lovely flat compacted trail. It only lasted a very short while then the uphill climb begins..

: I remembered steps but it was rock hopping, climbing and some steps, up, up and more up..

: David didn’t even stop at the top..

: ..but I made him come back and get a photo even though we already have them from here. It is still very beautiful..

: Then back down we go again..

: The them of today is up, upon, up and then down, down, down – Repeat, repeat, repeat.

: As we walk through the rocks of Angkale Junction..

: ..we come to this sign which I remember from last time – WARNING.

: This sign tells the whole story – 11km 7hrs – That’s hard walking.

: A pretty pink flower..

: Okay, so now it is up, up and up yet again.

: ..there are some lovely steps to make it a little easier in some spots..

: ..then some switchbacks..

: ..then back to negotiating a downhill through the rocks..

: ..lots of balance and care required here..

: ..even David has to use his hands..

: ..a little tricky bit..

: ..and a long drop down..

: ..time to rehydrate..WHO IS THIS HAIRY MAN?

: ..off we go again through some more rock shelves..

: ..down to the river bed floor..

: ..lovely timber in this tree..

: ..plus unusual roots in this one..

: ..a challenge all the way..

: ..time to go back up again..

: ..as we come to Millers Flat, this means it is time to go up again along the high route which takes an hour longer than the low route, but rewards you with spectacular ridge top views,,..