Trek for a Difference 2022: Adventure Blog
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Day 1: Wednesday, 11 May 2022
Day 1 was a wonderful start to our adventure. We’d all had our original trips delayed due to covid, so it was really special to finally be underway.
Setting off from Telegraph Station we were initially awed by the thought of people forging their way through this hostile landscape to create a communication system that connected Australia to the world. But, the impressiveness of this feat was soon swallowed by the landscape itself and the resilience of the traditional owners to sustain life for so many millennia.
The highlight of the trek came at its conclusion, as we scaled the dizzying heights of Euro Ridge. We were greeted by two magnificent Black Kites who danced on the updraft. The views back across to Alice Springs were etched in our minds as we prepared to farewell civilization and immerse ourselves in an ancient land.
“It’s such an incredible experience.”
- Caite
Day 2: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Starting on the gentle, meandering Finke River we walked along the sandy bed, marvelling at the impact of last year's floods and learning that this is one of the world’s oldest river systems.
As we ramble up through the foothills toward Ormiston Gorge we are struck by the mighty presence of Mount Sonder in the distance. We sample the bitterness of paddymelon and gasp at the beauty of Sturt’s Desert Rose (a fragile purple flower that appears on the Northern Territory’s flag).
Arriving at Ormiston Gorge offers respite from the rigours of our first two days of trekking. A swim in the chilly waters, ice creams from the kiosk and lounging in the sun beneath the towering, narrow walls of the gorge.
Day 3: Friday, 13 May 2022
There was an air of trepidation and anticipation amongst the adventurers this morning as we set out on the longest of our trek days.
Beginning once again on the banks of the Finke River we rambled through low undulating flood plains, passing through an extraordinary naturally-formed hole in a wall of Quartzite.
The trail wove through evershifting outcrops of ghost gums, malley, acacias, fruscias, and spinifex before a steep ascent to a ridgeline that brought us to Hill Top Lookout, which presented a wonderful view across the basin to our ultimate destination - Mount Sonder or Rutjupma as she is known in the local Arrente dialect.
“This is really inspiring. I’ve never been to the NT and the landscape is just blowing me away. It’s lived up to all of my expectations and I’m really happy to have supported Australian Conservation Foundation.“
Day 4: Saturday, 14 May 2022
Like two wild animals circling one another, our group spent today’s hike meandering around the base of Mount Sonder, contemplating the challenge ahead and hoping to prove ourselves worthy of being welcomed onto her summit.
We were humbled by our exposure to many millions of years of geological formation and decay - the winding path providing time for both meditative release and pondering reflection about our place in such an ancient realm.
Arriving at Redbank Gorge we were rewarded with the relief of her ice cold waters. Those brave enough to swim and scramble up the gorge were met by the most magnificent shimmering rock formations that reflected dozens of different tones of orange, pink and purple- all with a metallic sheen that made us feel as though we had entered a very sacred space. Paying our respects, we departed, rejuvenated and inspired for our ascent of Mount Sonder in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Day 5: Sunday, 15 May 2022
Wow! What a day. An occasion that seemed to take forever and happen all too fast. The culmination of years of dreaming, fundraising, training, Covid interruptions and five magical days on the Larapinta Trail.
Rising in the middle of the night we huddled around our porridge before setting out on the ascent. With head torches and a nearly-full moon to guide the path our feet shuffled, our minds lurched and our hearts bounded toward the summit.
As we approached our destination the moon set, becoming a deep blood red on the horizon. tears were shed as some of our adventurers overcome tremendous difficulties and doubts to make it to the summit before sunrise.
The first hints of light seeped and then flowed as a kaleidoscope of reds, pinks and oranges, revealing the epic vista and vast ranges ripping out across the landscape. We had honoured Mount Sonder or Rutjupma (Mount Sonder) and she had blessed us with the perfect moment to crown our adventure of a lifetime.
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