Larapinta Trail Story: 6 Days of Off-Grid Hiking with the Topargee Adventure Range

Hi, I'm Kylie, one of the owners of Topargee. When I'm not working in the business or spending time with my family, I love a good adventure, especially one that gives me something challenging to work towards.

Last month, I left the family at home and headed to Central Australia to join seven amazing women for an adventure that had been sitting firmly on my bucket list: the Super 6 Day Larapinta Trail Trek with Trek Tours Australia. I of course took the opportunity to pull together some of the Topargee Adventure Range which was perfect due it being light weight and versatile.

I knew the trip would be tough, but I don't think you can fully appreciate just how challenging the Larapinta Trail is until you're standing on it. The terrain is incredibly rocky, the days are long and there are plenty of steep climbs and descents, but the scenery makes every difficult step worthwhile.

The challenge in numbers

The Super 6 covers 117 kilometres across six days and brings together some of the hardest and most spectacular sections of the Larapinta Trail.

Most days involved between eight to ten hours of walking over rugged, rocky terrain. The trek is graded "Epic" by Trek Tours Australia and requires a high level of fitness and hiking experience. This was definitely not a gentle walking holiday.

We were a group of eight women, all there for our own reasons but united by a love of adventure and the desire to take on a real challenge. That shared purpose brought us together quickly as we encouraged one another through the tough sections, celebrated each day's achievements and found plenty to laugh about along the way. By the end, we shared tired legs, early starts, breathtaking views and memories that will stay with us long after the trail.

The 3am start and the climb to Mt Sonder

Wearing our Topargee headlamps on the pre-dawn climb, Mt Sonder.

The absolute highlight for me was climbing Mt Sonder.

Our day began at 3am in the dark, as we set off to tackle the 16-kilometre return climb. Mt Sonder stands at 1,380 metres, making it the fourth-highest peak in the Northern Territory.

We knew it would make us work for the view and what a view it was. From the summit, we were rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama across Central Australia, stretching into the Tanami Desert, along the West MacDonnell Ranges and towards Gosse Bluff and Mount Zeil.

This was when the Topargee LED Wide Angle Headlamp  became the true star of the trip. Walking over rocky, uneven ground in complete darkness requires both hands free and a clear view of the trail ahead. The headlamp gave me a wide field of light, helping me see where I was placing my feet while keeping my hands available for balance and my hiking poles.

Making our way through the darkness, one careful step at a time, felt surreal. The climb was demanding, but reaching the summit made every step worthwhile. A bucket-list moment I'll never forget.

Putting our adventure gear to the test

The Topargee Mats were a "butt" saver at every stop.

Naturally, I couldn't head off on a six-day trek without taking along some of our Adventure Range, and I loved seeing how useful the simplest items became when we were out on the trail.

The Portable Mat was pulled out every time we stopped. With so much of the Larapinta Trail being rocky and hard underfoot, it gave us somewhere more comfortable to sit, rest our legs and enjoy a much needed break. It didn't take long before everyone was happy to make use of it whenever it appeared.

The Mini LED Light was particularly helpful back at camp. With the sun setting early, having a small, bright light on hand made it much easier to organise everything and get ready for bed when we were tired.

The Camping Travel Blanket also proved its worth. Temperatures dropped to around zero degrees overnight, so I was very grateful to have it as an extra layer. It was lightweight and easy to bring along, but made a welcome difference during those freezing nights.

Trek Tours Australia provided our bedding, meals, transport and professional wilderness guides, taking care of the logistics so we could concentrate on the walking and enjoy the experience. After covering up to 31 kilometres in a day, arriving at camp knowing that food and our sleeping equipment had been organised was very much appreciated.

More than just completing a walk

Celebrating at the summit of Mt Sonder.

The Super 6 pushed me physically and mentally, but that was exactly why I wanted to do it. There's a special kind of satisfaction that comes from setting yourself a difficult challenge and seeing it through.

I came home with tired legs, unforgettable memories and a huge sense of achievement, made even better by sharing it with seven amazing women. The gear held up well too, which matters to me as much as the trek itself. If it can't handle six days on the Larapinta, it's not going in my pack.

Larapinta: officially ticked off the bucket list. Now, what challenge comes next?

Shop the gear that made the trip: Explore the full Adventure Range HERE