Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Wed 10 Mar, 2021 2:25 pm

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?
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ChrisJHC » Wed 10 Mar, 2021 4:13 pm

Don’t forget you have to go back to collect your containers.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ribuck » Wed 10 Mar, 2021 4:19 pm

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby Eremophila » Wed 10 Mar, 2021 6:00 pm

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Fri 12 Mar, 2021 5:53 am

Thanks guys for your helpful replies. All noted down.

Definitively less hassle and cheaper booking the food drop.

Eremophila, what you you mean by:

Eremophila wrote:The good news is that you might be able to jag yourself a discount flight.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby Eremophila » Fri 12 Mar, 2021 6:13 am

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby wildwanderer » Fri 12 Mar, 2021 8:22 am

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..
Last edited by wildwanderer on Fri 12 Mar, 2021 8:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ribuck » Fri 12 Mar, 2021 8:27 am

Eremophila wrote: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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Fri 12 Mar, 2021 7:00 pm

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby wildwanderer » Sun 14 Mar, 2021 8:50 pm

gbagua wrote:
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? :P
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ChrisJHC » Sun 14 Mar, 2021 9:10 pm

Yeah, there’s light, ultra-light and stupid-light.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Mon 15 Mar, 2021 5:37 am

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 :)
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby Eremophila » Mon 15 Mar, 2021 6:49 am

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Mon 15 Mar, 2021 8:30 am

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 :)
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby north-north-west » Mon 15 Mar, 2021 10:57 am

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ribuck » Mon 15 Mar, 2021 11:48 am

gbagua wrote: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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Tue 16 Mar, 2021 7:35 am

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!
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Tue 16 Mar, 2021 7:39 am

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?
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby Eremophila » Tue 16 Mar, 2021 12:18 pm

gbagua wrote: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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Tue 16 Mar, 2021 3:05 pm

Ah I see. I'll heed your advice.

Yes I know dehydrated meals need boiling.

Thanks for the tip about the canisters. ;)
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Thu 18 Mar, 2021 1:17 pm

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

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

https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Fresh-Pre ... 4eac8cd498
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ribuck » Thu 18 Mar, 2021 2:09 pm

Tuna-in-a-pouch is readily available in large supermarkets, including Coles and Woolies in Alice Springs.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Thu 18 Mar, 2021 2:57 pm

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. :shock:
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby north-north-west » Sun 21 Mar, 2021 6:44 pm

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

Almost like Michelin star food. :shock:


Not quite that good, but probably the best value commercial dehy around. Also minimal waste packaging, which helps keep the weight down.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Tue 13 Apr, 2021 8:45 am

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?
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby ribuck » Tue 13 Apr, 2021 12:23 pm

I used mini groundhogs (Y-shaped pegs). Sometimes I needed to bang them in with a nearby rock.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Wed 14 Apr, 2021 12:33 pm

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Sun 18 Apr, 2021 7:39 am

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?
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby Eremophila » Sun 18 Apr, 2021 8:58 am

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.
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Re: Larapinta suggestions (food & equipment)

Postby gbagua » Mon 19 Apr, 2021 9:14 am

Thaks for the tips. Eremophila.
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