Sunday 20 June 2022
Wallaby Gap to Telegraph Station Alice Springs – Section 1 Part 2
Distance 14.08km
Moving time 3:55
Track time 4:31
Temp 10′- about 25 check with db
Up 346m Down 400m

OUR LAST DAY
Well after 17 sleeps we are on our last day of the Larapinta Trail. Our last night of mice scurrying around our tent. Yeehah. What an epic adventure. We were on a mission today and David had indicated to our fellow hikers he will be up and on his way early this morning. So to assist this process I deflated his mattress at 7am. After a chat with our new neighbours, donating our fishing line, a quick pack up and breakie, we departed Wallaby Gap at 8.13am, a track record. The track started with a continuous climb up to the top of Euro Ridge. From below the ridge looked like a dinosaurs back. The views at the top were amazing once again, it was a climb up and over a few dinosaurs backs which continued to present lovely last moments on the trail. After the first 1.5km up we continued down over undulating varied terrain for a further 13km of hiking through the woodland. As always I am amazed by the trees, and the green as opposed to red I was expecting. It was still a long walk to the end. The closer we got to Telegraph Station the more noise of normal life started to occur. Firstly the planes, then the cars and trucks. We passed over the trainline, then under the Stuart Highway, then walked along the old Telegraph Line. We passed about 12 End 2 End hikers, 2 ladies, a group of 4, a family of 3, a solo guy and a couple. We also passed 4 tour groups of between 10 and 15 daypackers doing varying lengths on the trail. And lastly a group of 20 kids from Brisbane.

As we crossed the Todd River we were gifted with the most amazing display from a wedge tailed eagle. It was the most magnificent creature that glided through the air above us for about 5 minutes. We stood there in awe. We finally arrived at the trail end at 12.47pm. We walked to the Cafe and were really looking forward to a treat of fresh salad or fruit salad. Unfortunately we had to be happy with a ham, cheese and tomato toastie, coke or milkshake and a brownie. Not the treat we were expecting. The next task was to get a taxi home to our car. Not an easy exercise. It took 5 phone calls and an hour and a half for it to arrive. We arrived at the caravan park at about 4pm where I enjoyed the longest shower I have had in my lifetime. It was heaven. After organising the car and our packs we headed to Alice for dinner, an enjoyable meal at the sushi train. Well, we feel into bed exhausted and exhilarated from our epic adventure.

We had walked approximately 252km over the last 19 days. What an amazing achievement. Time to hang up our boots for a little R & R. Thanks to David for doing me on this amazing adventure and his encouragement along the way. We sure did enjoy it and love how much we enjoy sharing these special times. To all of you reading, I hope you enjoyed the pictures and commentary. It was spectacular!