Laparinta a few notes

Just completed the Laparinta. Went East to West (ie From Alice Springs)
Is any advantage going that way? There is an advantage going West to East, in that if you use a carrier for pick ups there is, because you dont have to schedule your hiking to be at the pick up on time. I completed my walk 4 days ahead of schedule which meant waiting 4 days ( stayed at Glenn Helen resort for these days until my ride came) .
A solo hiker should not have much trouble hitching a ride to Alice from Redbank I hitched from Redbank to Glen Helen waited 15 mins the driver said he could take to Alice.
Water no problems tanks all operating, NT Parks advice to treat the water, lots of hikers were drinking the water. Off course water from the many water holes would need treatment.
Though one section Ormiston to Serpentine dam 27 km there is no water supply normally its a 2 day walk so you will need to carry around 6 to 8 liters for that section, could be done in day by a strong hiker but Waterfall Gorge makes it a challenging task.
2 new shelters,at Simpsons Gap, Serpentine gorge
Carriers I used Alice Wanderer significantly cheaper than others, and no problems. They did my food drops too.
Stanley Chasm has hot showers and a washing machine. Their food is nice too. You can pay with Eftos too. Ormiston has showers, troughs for laundry. Kiosk good but they don't accept Credit Cards or Eftos. Can make phone calls $1 per minute best to have the person call you back.
Dimattina creek between Finke River and Hill Top camp offers nice camping by the waterholes.
Navigation with the excellent signage I did not even take out GPS from my pack once. Use the compass once.
At the food drop off lockers there was an abundance of bottles of metho, and gas cylinders
Glenn Helen can be included in your walk, its a small diversion. Beer, burgers, laundary, camping $12
The above might be helpful
My gear
Water: Steripen, Geigerrig Bladder (3 Lt) with in built filter
Stove Evernew Alcohol
Tent Tarptent "Notch" 750 grams great tent
Poles Leica
Sleeping Bag Sea to Summit Spark 3, warm bags are needed several minus 4 c degree nights
Pack ULA Catalyst
Gaiters Kathmandu (unsatisfactory) threw them away, OR seem to be the best
Ipod nice to be able to read or enjoy music before dozing off.
Head lamp Black Diamond, (can be recharged but took Li batteries along as a back up)
Solar Charger Bushnell (very good)
Montane Down jacket
Base weight ie weight of pack minus water, fuel, food approx 12 kg
Is any advantage going that way? There is an advantage going West to East, in that if you use a carrier for pick ups there is, because you dont have to schedule your hiking to be at the pick up on time. I completed my walk 4 days ahead of schedule which meant waiting 4 days ( stayed at Glenn Helen resort for these days until my ride came) .
A solo hiker should not have much trouble hitching a ride to Alice from Redbank I hitched from Redbank to Glen Helen waited 15 mins the driver said he could take to Alice.
Water no problems tanks all operating, NT Parks advice to treat the water, lots of hikers were drinking the water. Off course water from the many water holes would need treatment.
Though one section Ormiston to Serpentine dam 27 km there is no water supply normally its a 2 day walk so you will need to carry around 6 to 8 liters for that section, could be done in day by a strong hiker but Waterfall Gorge makes it a challenging task.
2 new shelters,at Simpsons Gap, Serpentine gorge
Carriers I used Alice Wanderer significantly cheaper than others, and no problems. They did my food drops too.
Stanley Chasm has hot showers and a washing machine. Their food is nice too. You can pay with Eftos too. Ormiston has showers, troughs for laundry. Kiosk good but they don't accept Credit Cards or Eftos. Can make phone calls $1 per minute best to have the person call you back.
Dimattina creek between Finke River and Hill Top camp offers nice camping by the waterholes.
Navigation with the excellent signage I did not even take out GPS from my pack once. Use the compass once.
At the food drop off lockers there was an abundance of bottles of metho, and gas cylinders
Glenn Helen can be included in your walk, its a small diversion. Beer, burgers, laundary, camping $12
The above might be helpful
My gear
Water: Steripen, Geigerrig Bladder (3 Lt) with in built filter
Stove Evernew Alcohol
Tent Tarptent "Notch" 750 grams great tent
Poles Leica
Sleeping Bag Sea to Summit Spark 3, warm bags are needed several minus 4 c degree nights
Pack ULA Catalyst
Gaiters Kathmandu (unsatisfactory) threw them away, OR seem to be the best
Ipod nice to be able to read or enjoy music before dozing off.
Head lamp Black Diamond, (can be recharged but took Li batteries along as a back up)
Solar Charger Bushnell (very good)
Montane Down jacket
Base weight ie weight of pack minus water, fuel, food approx 12 kg