Exercise Sonder Heights – Walking the Larapinta Trail

By OCDT Clinton Wilson
14 August 2008

Exercise Sonder Heights kicked off at 0530 h on Monday 14 July 2008 in a remote and picturesque part of the Australian Northern Territory.

For five days and four nights, six adventurous Midshipmen and Officer Cadets trekked through 86km of some of Australia’s most scenic outback. Following a route meticulously planned by Midshipman Dean Williams, the science and engineering students, all members of the ADFA Adventure Training Club, set out to explore the region west of Alice Springs.

After spending a night in the comfort of Alice Springs, we headed out with a NORFORCE Training Warrant Officer who kindly took us the first 150 km to Serpentine Gorge. When he drove off into the red dust we were left with only what we carried to support us, or encumber us, for the duration of our adventure.

From Serpentine Gorge our leader, MIDN Williams, led us along the eighth leg of the renowned Larapinta Trail winding through the West MacDonnell National Park. We spent the majority of the journey drifting off the beaten track to explore deserted stock yards and outback springs hidden in the depths of the many high-walled, blood red gorges. The first four days demanded an average of 19km walking, with a gourmet feast cooked on our pocket rockets (stoves) each night. The slow appearance of Mt Sonder in the distance was an incentive and a challenge as we approached our destination.

We culminated our trip on the fifth day with a moonlit walk off the track and up a steep ridge to the summit of Mt Sonder, arriving just in time for the moonset/sunrise across the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The trip went without interruption, and the cold refreshment s on Friday night were definitely earned by all. This was a great way to explore a part of Australia not many people get the chance to see......and we get paid for it!


Exercise Sonder Heights
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