Day 17 Simpson’s Gap to Alice

Our bodies were definitely complaining when we strapped on our packs to start the last stage of the hike. As we were completing it over two days we took our time getting up and went for a little look at Simpson’s gap before we left.

Back on the trail we were pretty relaxed and looking forward to a leisurely hike of 10kms. Like yesterday it was a lovely even track and after a short hike out of Simpson’s Gap it was relatively flat. Even so I was definitely feeling the effects of the last few days and my feet were sore. The sun was out in full force and we soon had worked up a sweat.

I am not going to lie it was a relief when we reached the campsite at around 12.30 fully expecting us to set up camp and enjoy a lovely last afternoon lounging in our chairs and drinking tea. Unfortunately the campsite was a fly infested dry dust bowl in the full sun but for a small shelter with a few bench seats. I could see the cogs turning in Tim’s mind that he could potentially get a pizza and beer tonight if we kept hiking the last 13kms today but I honestly didn’t think I had it in me.

But I looked around the campsite and didn’t really fancy sitting around there all afternoon and even if we didn’t make it the whole way we could eat up some further kms and find a nice secluded spot along the trail. But first I needed some food so we got out our stove and cooked up our allocated dinner for lunch, filled up our water bladders and set off again.

I don’t know if it was the food in my belly or the incentive of a hot shower, cold beer and a comfy bed but I found another gear and we took off at a blistering pace down the hill. We charged up a mountain and were greeted with wonderful views back and then overlooking Alice. Tim and I took turns leading and we ate up the kms. By the time we hit the 10kms to go mark we both knew we were going to make it in one go.

We took turns pushing each other and before long found ourselves 5kms out and so close to Alice we could almost taste it. The last few kms were through mountain bike tracks that we had actually ridden last time we were out at Alice. Running pretty much only on fumes now with our feet burning we both couldn’t believe that we had nearly made it. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Today’s 24kms gave us a total of 50kms over two days. No wonder our feet hurt!

I was super impressed with myself as I think it was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. I am not really one to push myself physically for any length of time and it has been a real eye opener to see what I can achieve when I have to. Hilariously it seems that the incentive needs to involve the prospect of food for me to find my inner reserves and power through the pain barrier.

As the sun set over the ranges and changed the rocks around us to a beautiful red we crossed the line. I often wondered why the bloody hell people would run marathons but I think I get it now. It’s the buoyant sense of accomplishment. I am super chuffed for us. The last month has seen a death and another emergency rescue on the trail which brings it home how hard the trail can be and what we achieved.

The next hurdle was getting to our hotel. We had been told that taxis would be waiting at the end but we didn’t have that and when we booked online nothing was happening. So Tim flagged down a van which we thought was a people carrier but turns out it was two disability support workers with their charge coming back from lunch. They took pity on us and gave us a lift to the hotel and Toby in the back didn’t seem to mind either. Quite a surreal end to the hike!

We walked into the fancy hotel, dirty and stinky and the lovely lady at reception took pity on us and gave us an upgrade. We soon were showered and changed and tucking into a nice cold beer at the hotel restaurant feeling a little like we were in the Twilight zone watching the goings on around us. Hilariously Lochy was still around and staying in the same hotel so came down for a beer and spent the rest of the night swapping tales of the last few days of each of our hikes.

The Larapinta trail has been on our list for a while now and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Onto the next adventure! S