Some final thoughts on Larapinta - the experience
- Plan the walk meticulously and communicate with your support team all along the way. I failed to do that and as a consequence our schedule had to be changed, losing a critical rest day (we survived)
- Be sure all participants have good walking experience and able to do 30+ km per day without distress (not sure how you assess this other than taking them on grueling 30+ km training walk)
- Make sure all walkers appreciate the Larapinta is tough on boots and feet.
- Make sure ALL walkers bring their own blister care items, perhaps give a specific list of products each walker is expected to supply.
- Walking west to east worked for us, even without the rest day at Ellery Gorge.
- The bus trip up to Glen Helen allowed to group to get to know each other and I think worked well. Flying home at the end, certainly worked for me.
- What would I leave out. The extra pair of thermal pants, one only needed. Take only one Beanie.
- Banksia Tours were a surprise, after an inauspicious start (late without an apology) they simply got better and better. David, deaf as a post, especially when he broke his hearing aid, had a dry sense of humour and Sonya was quite charming, and catered to my dietary peccadillo's with great zest.
- However, they do need some advice re vegetarians and what they do or do not eat. Turkey and chicken don't normally fit into the vegetarian diet, neither does fish, really.
- The food was simple, however there was plenty of it. Breakfasts consisted of up to five varieties of cereal, porridge most days, toast and often bacon and eggs. Even on the remote camps.
- Lunches also had great variety including avocado's most days with fruit, muesli and chocolate bars.
- Dinners often three course and often ice cream as part of desert.
- Surprisingly, I still lost about 4 kg.
- Attached are the links to my Picasa albums if you want to browse my pictures at your leisure
