Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

[gbagua]

I know I just want to eat healthy meals that's all.

You mentioned in your first post that for food drops I probably have to do it twice. Why can't I have them done all in one day starting really early. It isn't a huge drive anyway and probably just a bunch of drops.

If I start my hike at Standley Chasm and finish at Ormiston Gorge:

1. Ellery Ck.
2. Serpentine Gorge
3. Ormiston Gorge

Three food drops. Drive to each drop containers off and drive back to Alice. Sounds right, does it?

Book a transfer to Standley and hitch back to Alice or the other way round? Hitch to Standley and get picked up at Ormiston.

Will it all work out this way?

[ChrisJHC]

Don’t forget you have to go back to collect your containers.

[ribuck]

If you're finishing at Ormiston Gorge, you don't need a food drop there. Most people place a food drop at Ellery Creek OR Serpentine Gorge. Go for Ellery Creek if you're taking the route option that goes south of the Heavitree Range. If you're taking the route that goes north of the Heavitree Range, you can't access the Ellery Creek food drop so go for Serpentine Gorge instead. In other words, for Standley Chasm to Ormiston Gorge you only need one food drop. If you have no preference, Ellery Creek is the better food drop because (a) it makes the two parts of your walk more equal, and (b) the food drop room at Ellery Creek doesn't get as hot as the metal container at Serpentine Gorge.

It's easier to hitch back towards Alice Springs in the afternoon. At the start of the day, people are going sightseeing and will be stopping at every tourist stop along the way. Once they get to the end, they will usually drive back in one go. But you will want to persuade them to make the short diversion into Ellery Creek so that you can collect your empty food bin.

[Eremophila]

If you’re only doing one food drop, it would be more economical to pay to have it done. Then the container is provided, no need to worry about retrieving and disposing of it after. I think they arrange your access key too.

Edit: if you need to spend an extra day at Ormiston whilst trying to find a lift, you have creature comforts -water, food, showers. The flies and food-pilfering crows are complimentary.

The good news is that you might be able to jag yourself a discount flight.

[gbagua]

Thanks guys for your helpful replies. All noted down.

Definitively less hassle and cheaper booking the food drop.

Eremophila, what you you mean by:

The good news is that you might be able to jag yourself a discount flight.

[Eremophila]

Haven’t been watching the news? Heaps of discount flights being released starting April 1st.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/ ... n/13237320

Might save you a few bucks.

[wildwanderer]

Another thought. If you haven't yet purchased the lightweight rain coat.. consider a poncho.. can pick em up for $25 and they weigh 200-350 grams.

from my understanding(someone correct if wrong) you will be on open trails so no scrub to rip it on.

Could save you a few hundred..

[ribuck]

Heaps of discount flights being released starting April 1st.

On the other hand, the accommodation providers have just jacked up their prices in anticipation of the flood of visitors.

[gbagua]

As weird as it sounds I don't have time to watch the news!

To be expected the high accomod. prices; they all want to cash in, which is normal. But I'm might get away with it as I'm planning to do the hike towards the end of the Larapinta season (fingers crossed prices will come down a bit). End of Aug./start of Sep.

Yes poncho added in to the list of non-essential things. It might not rain at all during my hike and unused things take space and weight.

Has anyone used non-traditional cooking equipment to eat warm meals? Like those Gossamer bags? More weight I'll save.

[wildwanderer]

Yes poncho added in to the list of non-essential things. It might not rain at all during my hike and unused things take space and weight.

Has anyone used non-traditional cooking equipment to eat warm meals? Like those Gossamer bags? More weight I'll save.

Not sure I'd consider a raincoat/poncho as non essential on a long multi day trip. Weather can change a lot in a few days. Granted it's warm/hot up there during the day. Nights are cold though.

Are you considering a crotch pot?

[ChrisJHC]

Yeah, there’s light, ultra-light and stupid-light.

[gbagua]

Crotch pot. Sure but maybe a titanium cookware set (stove + pot + bowl/plate) would be better.

Any recommendations?

I'll stick to the 170g OR rain jacket rather than the heavier poncho, which I am not that keen of.

Cheers

[Eremophila]

The geargrams list in your opening post is a good sensible packing list. For the record it does include trekking poles.

Re cooking- one pot should be enough? Eat freeze-dried meals from the pouch, anything else from the pot. A mug if you really want one. Small stove such as a Pocket Rocket, and find yourself a pot.

[gbagua]

Yes it's good but I'll reduce that weight a lot more as I won't be carrying fancy extras like Garmin watch, compass, trekking poles, filtration system, digital camera, magic liquids and all that jazz.

Not entirely sure if I'll buy that weird pouch. Just titanium stove & pot + gas canister. How many will I need for the 4-5 day hike? Again being very weight conscious as sizes vary.

Cheers

[north-north-west]

Have you never done overnight walks before? It doesn't take long to work out how much gas you use on average. Overall requirements depend on the type of food preparation you do.

If all you're doing is boiling water once or twice a day, a single 230gm cylinder is more than enough. Even a smaller cylinder would probably suffice. If you're getting a bit fiddlier and doing hot breakfasts, coffee, hot lunch, hot dinner, you obviously need more.

ps: there are water sources other than the tanks, but it would be best to treat water from them.

[ribuck]

gas canister ... How many will I need for the 4-5 day hike?

In central Australia I get 5.5 litres of boiling water from one of the small canisters (113g gas plus a similar weight of steel). So, with care, one small canister is enough for me for 4-5 days. But if you are simmering, you will need more.

[gbagua]

I'll only use the stove for a warm breakfast. Dehydrated meal.

I guess 1 canister is enough, is it?

I don't eat dinners. Only 1-2 meals a day here in the city.

Thanks!

[gbagua]

I forgot,

For when not hiking, I guess is recommended taking softshell pants (especially when hanging around camp and for early morning starts (in my case).

Gee some of these things are heavy!

Any lightweight recommendations?

[Eremophila]

I'll only use the stove for a warm breakfast. Dehydrated meal.

Dehydrated/freeze dried meals still need boiling water.

Assuming you are taking pants for walking and thermals for sleeping? Then you won't need softshell pants, especially late August/early Sept. If you're cold in the evening, then layer the two.

[gbagua]

Ah I see. I'll heed your advice.

Yes I know dehydrated meals need boiling.

Thanks for the tip about the canisters.

[gbagua]

Any idea where to buy this stuff in Australian grocery stores? All I can see is canned fish (forget about chicken in a pouch! )

https://www.amazon.com/StarKist-Chunk-L ... B00374QXAC

https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Fresh-Pre ... 4eac8cd498

[ribuck]

Tuna-in-a-pouch is readily available in large supermarkets, including Coles and Woolies in Alice Springs.

[gbagua]

Yes thanks I had to visit the local WW to find out. Plenty of options...but then I did a forum search and found this from Tassie, which looks damn good.

https://strivefood.com.au/collections/main-meal

Almost like Michelin star food.

[north-north-west]

https://strivefood.com.au/collections/main-meal

Almost like Michelin star food.

Not quite that good, but probably the best value commercial dehy around. Also minimal waste packaging, which helps keep the weight down.

[gbagua]

Hey guys,

This is one of my current tent pegs:

https://ibb.co/R6hH4Wr


Will be OK to use or i need something a lot thinner?

[ribuck]

I used mini groundhogs (Y-shaped pegs). Sometimes I needed to bang them in with a nearby rock.

[gbagua]

Thanks ribuck. It's what i thought. My pegs could be a problem in the desert environment if the soil happens to be hard.

I'll get a set of pegs of that shape for sure.

[gbagua]

Hey guys,

A few more items:

1. Scrub for washing cooking pot
2. Detergent and storage
3. Towel for personal hygiene
4. Shower gel

What do you use?

Is there a lightweight kit that covers some of these items?

[Eremophila]

1. I cut up a scourer/sponge into quarters and take one piece.
2. Use hot water
3. A lightweight towel from Kathmandu or the like, cut in half. You can get the chamois-like ones which are lighter.
4. A small bar of soap will be ample. Motel soap, again cut in half or half used.

The only places you’re likely to be showering are all food drop locations. So you could leave extra toiletries/larger towel in your food drop box, if you’re doing one.

[gbagua]

Thaks for the tips. Eremophila.