Two weeks out

The scope of the walk

The plan to walk the Larapinta Trail, as part of the Friends' walking programme, had been floated for some years. With more time on our hands and less sense it was added to the 2012 Walking Programme in 2011, and so 19 members of the Friends now find themselves just two weeks away from setting off.

The Trek will start at the western end of the Larapinta, near Mount Sonder and walk back to Alice Springs, summitting the said Mount Sonder on Day one.

The preparations started back in June 2011, seeking quotes from various companies willing to undertake the logistic support for the whole trip ie Adelaide to Adelaide return, full meals, tents, the whole kit and caboodle.

Advice was sought from ARPA, who had done the trip in 2008, and it was from them we were able to appraise the quotes we obtained with some confidence.

Surprisingly, all the quotes came in within $100 of each other, per person, however we chose the company with the track record, Banksia Tours.

At this point we struck some problems as communications with Banksia proved difficult and for nearly two months there was silence. The impasse was broken by harsh words on our part, and since then all has been relatively smooth sailing.

The walk, muted in earlier TrailWalker magazines, leading to expressions of interest looked a real goer, with nearly thirty walkers throwing their hat in the ring.

As often happens, when money is asked to follow, the enthusiasm wavers, and after some toing and froing we finally had our twenty walkers.

Negotiations then revolved around who would tent and who would cabin and the cost, who would share with whom, and who snored.

Training was initiated by Simon, along with the regular Thursday evening bash around Chambers Gully that evolved from the Friends' trips to Kokoda in 2008.

Heading towards the start line in two weeks a theme for the Trek was announced "Badges and Beanies" and some events programmed for the evenings.

A FAQ was set up provoking, spirited responses and counter responses and some curious questions.

The final round of payments, with all but the tardy digging deep, has come, and we are in countdown mode.

One last big walk as a shakedowm, the George Driscoll Sea to Summitt, then we are off.