Larapinta Trail

[kevjoh]

Hi Guys
Doing the Larapinta Trail next year and was wondering if gaiters are needed to guard against the spinafex or can you get away with boots and sock protecters? I've never used gaiters before and was just wondering.

[Snowzone]

The trail was very well defined when I did it a few years back and I don't recall any problems with spinafex. I still wore gaiters but thats out of habit. They do protect against snakes and I think there was some scrambling around rocks in some of the gorges and they keep the sand out of your boots as well.

[forest]

Just boot protectors will work, I just used "dirty girl" gaiters. Just try not to kick too many spinifex bushes, trust me...... that stings.
You might get a few scratches on your calves from the bushes close to the track as the trail winds through spinifex most of the way.
If your worried about that or snakes maybe full gaiters are the better choice.

[north-north-west]

I did the whole thing and a lot of off track sidetrips in just shorts & walking shoes without gaiters. I'd have done it in Teva sandals if I'd realised how easy it was. If you're sticking to the track gaiters aren't needed.

[kevjoh]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll stick to my regular walking gear then and not outlay dollars on a one of cost of gaiters.

[walk2wineries]

Um. I worked at Alice Springs Hospital for a few months - gosh, probably 10 years ago. There were a number of punters demanding removal of painful spinifex bits from their legs. If you are wearing shorts and no gaiters do take some tweezers with you... Aldi sometimes have the ones with a tiny LED build in which are very good for splinters.