DAYTIME CLOTHING:

The weather can be very warm during the daytime in the Northern Territory. We recommend UV-protective clothing as well as wide-brimmed hats. A short neck scarf you can wet and tie around your neck will also keep you cool whilst walking. Flies can also be annoying so invest in a hat with fly protection netting (these can be purchased in tourist shops when you arrive in Alice Springs). Having the right gear is essential for your comfort and safety on a walking tour, so ensure you turn up well prepared.

Ensure you have…

• UV Protective clothing.
• Loose-fitting shirts with sleeves are great for keeping the sun off you whilst walking
• A wide-brim hat to keep the sun off your face and neck. Hats with fly nets or corks are also good for keeping the flies off your face.
• Shorts and/or trousers. (Trousers with zip-off legs are a great compromise)
• Wearing layers is a good idea
• A neck cooler scarf which you can wet, to keep yourself cool whilst walking
• Sunglasses

NIGHTTIME CLOTHING:

In contrast, at night the weather drops dramatically with temperatures averaging 4-8 degrees. You will need to bring the following warm gear for nights and early mornings. We suggest wearing layers that can be removed or added as needed.

• A warm jumper. The best fabrics are polar fleece as they are lightweight and quick drying.
• A warm hat. 40% of body heat is lost through your head.
• A pair of warm gloves. Polypropylene gloves are better than wool gloves that can get wet.
• Thermal clothing such as leggings and a thermal long sleeve top
• Long sleeve tops
• Trousers or leggings.

OTHER CLOTHING ITEMS:

• A change of clothes and shoes for the night for dinner. Casual clothing for dinner will be sufficient for the restaurant meals.
• Bring warm gear for cooler evenings such as warm pants and a jacket.
• Underwear
• Swimmers and towel to cool off in waterholes. Swimming in the many pools is one of the things which make the trips so enjoyable for most people.

SHOES & SOCKS:

What you wear on your feet on a walking holiday can make or break your holiday. As you are walking on hard quartzite during this walk, sturdy walking boots are a necessity. Your best footwear will be a walking professionally designed walking shoe with good ankle support. Lightweight to Medium boots with good thick shock-absorbing soles and good grip for this walk will be best. Many boots on the market these days have a waterproof membrane made of Gore-tex to keep your feet dry which will also help prevent blisters. We would suggest visiting an Outdoor Adventure Store for the right advice on shoes and comfort which is just right for you. If you plan on buying new boots or walking shoes ensure you buy these well in advance at least 3 months prior to departing to walk them in. Whatever you wear should be able to breathe and let sweat evaporate. Click here for more info on hiking footwear

NOTE: Sandshoes or runners are NOT suitable for this walk

• Boots with good ankle support and good thick shock-absorbing soles with good grip
• 2 new pairs of socks for each day. Hint: wear a thick and thin pair of socks together. This will prevent rubbing when you walk and help prevent blisters. Click here to read about blister prevention
• Liners are also great at wicking, consider them like base layers for your feet, so your feet stay drier which reduces the risk for blisters.
• Shoes for water crossing, or crocs or thongs
• Change of footwear for evenings

WATERPROOF CLOTHING:

Though rain is not normal in the Larapinta, only averaging 1 day a month during June to August. We would suggest you check the weather and if necessary bring a wet weather jacket just in case. The most practical jacket you can have should have a hood and are made of fabrics such as Gore-tex which are both waterproof and breathable.

WALKING POLES:

• Walking poles are a great item to use on any walking holiday and more and more of our guests are using them on this tour. There are many advantages of using poles and they can be especially useful in rocky terrain. For balance and mobility, they can’t be beat. Tricky trails become easier with the stability that poles provide. They also protect your body, reducing stress on knees, ankles, hips and spine especially on down hills. Whilst on uphills they can significantly improve your power & endurance, allowing you to use more muscles to do the same work, as your arms and torso help to propel you up the hills.
  Click here for more info on using walking poles

GAITERS:

• Short Gaiters can be used they cover the tops of the boots and laces and the lower legs. Many people prefer to wear them as they keep sand and mud out of the top of your boots, as well as protect your legs from scratchy foliage. Whilst they are not essential for this tour some guests prefer wearing them.

WATER:

• All guests will need to carry their own water in a small day pack each day. You will need to carry approximately 4 litres of water each day in this area due to the warm weather. It is almost impossible to drink too much water. Those who drink early and often are going to cope with the climate much better than those who don’t.
• In the evenings there will be an opportunity to refill your water containers for the next day. Many people carry several water bottles whilst some prefer to walk with a water bladder, which sits inside your day pack and has a tube from which you can drink whilst you are walking (these can be purchased at outdoor adventure stores).

SLEEPING BAG:

During your two nights of camping, you will stay in a stand-up tent which includes a stretcher bed with camp mattress, sheets and pillow with pillowcase. You will need to bring a sleeping bag. Please note these can be hired from us for $40 per bag. These are cleaned after every use. Please email us prior to departing to book your sleeping bag if required.

OTHER ITEMS:

• Toiletries – deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush or comb, 2 new pairs of socks each day
• Personal medication you require. Or Panadol etc Consult your pharmacist on what’s appropriate for you personally. We are not allowed to dispense pain medication so please come prepared
• Insect repellent – choose one which has at least 18% DEET
• Towel for evening showers at the campsite
• Head torch or torch for the campsite
• sunglasses

Bring a small day pack to carry any personal items you will require whilst walking:

• Plastic Mug or cup for morning & afternoon tea breaks (please help us eliminate the use of plastic and paper coffee cups by bringing your own)
• camera
• Additional protection if you are prone to blisters. Popular remedies such as ‘Moleskin’ and ‘Spenco Second skin’ do not work as well in hot, humid conditions as they do elsewhere. The best is breathable, not waterproof Leucoplast. Band-aids may be useful for small cuts but are almost useless when it comes to treating blisters. If you feel a hot spot developing, stop immediately and treat it then. Do not wait for it to turn to a blister
• Sunglasses
• Electrolytes
• Personal emergency medication e.g. Ventolin
• Sunscreen (Our guides will also have sunscreen to use)
• Fruit and nut mix is provided. Feel free to bring your own treats such as chocolate and lollies to add to this mix.
• Water bladder or container with at least four litres of water.
• Wide-brimmed hat. Many clients like to wear the traditional fly net hat to keep the flies off whilst walking
• Swimmers and a lightweight towel for cooling off in the waterholes