I took 21 days to complete the Larapinta trail. That includes 2 zero days and 3 resupply points. (Post: My Route)
There are 2 main reasons I took this long.
1. I had the time.
2. I was nervous about being unfit.
When I did my walk, I was at university and had a 4 week holiday. I could plan a trip that suited me. But why 3 weeks. The average time to complete this walk is 16 days. I met lots of people doing it in less time. I certainly didn’t overtake many people at this pace.
When I sat down and started planning I had very little walking experience. I didn’t know my walking pace or how much I would struggle. Although taking more time sounds easier, you’ve got to remember the longer you take the more food you have to carry.
I initially planned my route using the longest recommended times, then added in a rest day at each resupply.
I started off doing section 1 and 2 in 4 days. 2 days per section. The sections themselves aren’t the most exciting on the trail, but as I hadn’t seen the rest and I was just excited to have started this didn’t feel too slow. I would set off at 8am ish and be in camp by 1/2pm. Lots of time to read my book and nap. Day 1 was tough because I carried the recommended 6l of water (this lasted me 4 days not 1) and I wasn’t taking regularly breaks because I was unsure of my pace. On the 3rd day I decided to set of early and walk by moonlight (don’t ask why I just felt like it). I got up early and arrived at my planned destination by 8am. I decided to continue on another half day of walking. There were 2 routes at this point an easier and harder one, due to my slow pace I felt relaxed to take the more challenging route (both I hear are beautiful though). A great thing about going slow was I took ever side trip there was and sat and enjoyed the view many times along the way.
When I got to Stanley Chasm on day 4. I was feeling fit. No blisters, not back pain. In fact I felt stronger and even more ready than when I started. I had caught up with another group who were trying to complete it in 13 days. They had ended up adding a rest day due to exhaustion. I decided not to take by planned rest day on day 5. I gorged on a full rest days worth of food in one arvo and continued on the next day.
The rest of the trip I continued slowly as planned. I got to enjoy the campsites and didn’t rush through the trail reach a deadline. I changed my route a few times as I went along. It was nice to have this flexibility.
On my longest day I did a 24km. I was section 6 and very flat, still is felt long. My body enjoyed being pushed and I thrived on the feeling of personal achievement at the end of the day. The landscape wasn’t particularly varied on this day, so I didn’t feel I was missing much by powering though. I ended at Ellery Creek around 3pm and got to enjoy the lovely waterhole there as a reward. After this day I knew it would have been quite achievable to do the trail in much less time had I wanted to. But I knew there were sections of the day where I was just walking to get through the km and not because I was loving the walk.
Near the end I had a 2 hour day right after a rest day. On this day I got a little bored. Possibly because I’d just spent 2 nights in a row super sociably and this night I spent totally alone. I could also feel the end of the trail loomed and this made me feel an odd mix of emotions. Sitting alone in camp gives you a lot of thinking time, which can be a little overwhelming.
When I finished I had 4 days in Alice springs, this was if I’d needed them on the trail. I nearly started the walk again. If I hadn’t found some travelers to go on a road trip with, I would have done. I missed trail life so much. I am so pleased I got to spend all the time I did on the trail. This is a really beautiful place and as much as a challenge it fun, being there is what it was about for me.
Overall, I recommend giving yourself an extra few days to enjoy the trail. If I was to plan it again, I would take 19/20 days including rest days and 3 resupply points. This gives you time to condition your body and really experience every section, without having to carry and ridiculously heavy pack.