Larapinta Trail - Day 4 - Pravda Spur to Standley Chasm

Originally I had planned to hike from Pravda Spur, down to Standley Chasm to collect my food drop box, and then continue straight on up another mountain to spend the night at Brinkley Bluff.

However, this would have been a huge challenge. On the advice from LTTS I’d need to be leaving Standley Chasm by 1pm at the latest, to ensure I had enough time to walk and photograph the ascent up to Brinkley Bluff. It would have meant my day would have exceeded a total of 20km, through one of the hardest sections to hike (a LOT of up and down!), but also one of the most photogenic places along the trail.

So, I decided on the afternoon previously, that it would be crazy to rush through it. It’d push myself too hard with one of the heaviest packs I’d experience along the trail.

I am so glad I had the flexibility to be able to adjust my itinerary as I went (by carrying additional food and also having satellite text communications so I could advise people of my changed itinerary in case of emergency!)

First glow of sunrise light from Pravda Spur

Perfect temperatures for this Darwin-ite who hates the cold!

I’m so glad I made the decision I did! Shooting sunrise from Pravda Spur was one of my favourite shoot locations and I was so glad not to rush my time there.

I look back those shots as some of my favourites of the trip. I also think that this being my first high point camp and being the first time really getting those iconic Larapinta Trail views was really special.

I had been warned that the high point campsites could be especially windy and that I should prep to have little sleep, but I’m happy to say that I think I was very lucky with the weather and lack of wind at most of my high point camps (with the exception of Counts Point where I really thought my ropes were going to be ripped from my tent!).

These rocks at the top of Pravda Spur are so dramatic!

There’s something so special about sitting on top of the world eating breakfast and drinking coffee, watching the first rays of the day. Spending that first hour of the day feeling super grateful for the experience and natural beauty of the Larapinta Trail is just such a motivational way to start the day!

As a side point, my breakfast everyday consisted of my porridge concoction - generally a base of oats, bran sticks, almond meal and powdered milk. To mix up each section, I’d change the variety of nuts added - sometimes walnuts or cashews, sometimes pumpkin kernels and sunflower seeds, sometimes cinnamon and goji berries…. Then, using my own dehydrator, I had a variety of different fruits to add to add a bit of sweetness! Strawberries and mangoes are my favourite as they go a bit gooey under a little heat! But I also had pear and apple thrown in to the mix sometimes too! I then basically add 150ml or so of water, heat it for a couple of minutes and voila! Nutritious breakfast every day!

First light hits the Chewing Range

The trail travels across the top of the ridge line before descending into Standley Chasm

From Pravda Spur lookout, the trail continues across the top of the ridge line for a couple of kilometres, giving me the first glimpses of the high points along the trail. Looking down on cycad strewn slopes, seeing patterns hidden in rocks and pine trees clinging to rocky edges.

Looking down at the rugged shapes of the ranges

Slowly making way to Standley Chasm (which lies below the two triangular peaks on the right of this photo).

I was so tired when I eventually arrived at Standley Chasm that I didn’t record anything of the day’s events and experience.

All I can say is that I remember the end of Section 3 being amongst some of the hardest terrain of the whole trail. Starting from coming down from the “alternative high route” (which really should be re-named so that the low route is the alternative route!), to Millers Flat - I completely overshot Fig Spring - there was that much water around the creeks in this area that I just missed it. The grass was so high, and although I saw a location that could have been the spring, I saw no signage and due to there being water all around me I wasn’t stressed about hunting out the supply.

From Gastrolobium Saddle to Agkale Junction to Standley Chasm, seemed to be a never ending series of huge ascents and descents. Each one ahead appearing steeper and longer than the one previous! This is an area I would love to revisit in the future, as I was just so focused on getting to the kiosk at Standley Chasm that I probably didn’t shoot as much as I should have! A unique and dramatic set of chasms and gorges are hidden from the main tourism area and Larapinta hikers really do get to immerse themselves in this special place!

Standley Chasm was a really great place to stay as part of my Larapinta hike - they have really great facilities there! I arrived at the kiosk at around 2pm - perfect time for a burger! They also have a grassy area for tents, a little camp kitchen and an amazing shower.

I collected my food drop box, and spent some time reorganising my pack. I did cull a couple of things I decided were not necessary. Like a jumper, a towel, a couple of camera filters…. I swapped some batteries and power banks over, and loaded up with 7 days worth of food for my next section to take me through to Serpentine Gorge. I also had a clean change of clothes in each box too - real luxury! You can read more about the power charging experience I had here.