Surf Life Saving Red Centre Trek 2017 Information Pack
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Surf Life Saving Red Centre Trek 2017 Information Pack Discover the beauty of Central Australia Learn about Australia’s unique Indigenous culture Raise money for SLS to continue keeping Australian beaches safe 21–27 August 2017 The adventure 7 5 People drown on the Australian coast in unacceptable numbers despite significant Moderate Difficulty Day Trip Day Challenge advancements in technology, techniques and knowledge. Surf Life Saving exists to save lives and is committed to reducing the coastal drowning Alice Springs rate by about 50 per cent by 2020. We rely on donations from people like you in the community. Swap the beach for the bush and join us on the Surf Life Saving (SLS) Red Centre Trek 2017 to raise money to continue saving lives on Australian beaches. The Larapinta Trail is regarded as one of Australia’s premier walking tracks. It winds from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to the peak of Mount Sonder. The trail stretches 223 kilometres Fast Facts along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. As part of this incredible – yet challenging – adventure, you will Dates: 21–27 August 2017 stand on ancient escarpments and gaze out upon the ochre- coloured landscape of Central Australia. On this journey you Registration fee: $770 (non-refundable) will follow Aboriginal Dreaming tracks and trek beside one of the world’s ancient river systems. By day, you will challenge Fundraising target: $2550 (excludes travel) yourself as you hike across the Red Centre, experiencing the Travel quote: $2450*, including taxes diversity of desert habitats and learn the unique history of Australia’s Indigenous people. You can fall asleep at night Accommodation: Comfortable camping in to the sounds of native wildlife under a blanket of stars. swags and twin-share in four star hotels Best of all, with each step you take along the Larapinta Trail, you Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application) will raise vital funds to support our volunteer Surf Life Savers. Visit: www.inspiredadventures.com.au/ events/SurfLifeSavingRedCentre-2017 *Subject to change Highlights ĵ Discover the beauty of Central Australia and explore the mountains, valleys, rivers and desert landscapes of the red centre. ĵ Learn about Australia’s unique Indigenous culture from local guides on traditional lands by day and sleep under the desert stars at night. ĵ Ascend Mount Sonder, which is one of the Northern Territory’s highest peaks, and trek one of Australia’s most magnificent trails. ĵ Join team Surf Life Saving and raise vital funds to help save lives on Australia’s beaches. 1300 905 188 [email protected] inspiredadventures.com.au youtube.com/inspiredadventures © 2016 Inspired Adventures. All Rights Reserved. 2 What impact will I make? You may choose to select a specific club or state to raise funds for, otherwise the money will be allocated to priority services throughout Australia. Your contribution will go toward: Buying rescue gear and equipment – This represents the largest cost to running lifesaving services in Australia. Due to the harsh elements on our coast, regular maintenance or eventual replacement of lifesaving gear and equipment is needed to ensure it’s rescue-ready. Training Surf Lifesavers – Training lifesavers to industry standards can be costly. Training manuals and course materials need to be regularly produced. Equipment like rescue manikins and first aid supplies allow for realistic practice in real world scenarios for lifesavers. In addition, administrative support for our volunteer trainers and assessors need to be provided for. Community education programs – The content of the programs provide safety awareness information for members of the public. Prevention through education is the key to saving lives on Australian beaches. Surf Life Saving empowers Australians to become actively involved in beach safety through community education programs aimed at schools and businesses. 1300 905 188 [email protected] inspiredadventures.com.au youtube.com/inspiredadventures © 2016 Inspired Adventures. All Rights Reserved. 3 Trip notes The travel component of this adventure will be operated by Inspired Travel. All travel payments should be made directly to Inspired Travel. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Day 1, Monday 21 August 2017 Day 4, Thursday 24 August 2017 Alice Springs Ormiston Gorge – Glen Helen Your adventure of a lifetime begins now! Upon arrival in Today you will traverse the low lying regions surrounding Ormiston Alice Springs, jump aboard the airport shuttle to our hotel Gorge, gradually winding through rolling limestone hills toward in the heart of Central Australia. You will have the rest of the back reaches of the Finke River—one of the world’s oldest river the day free to explore this ruggedly beautiful town. systems. With majestic scenery from start to finish, this area is steeped in culture which you can immerse yourself in. As you hike, Day 2, Tuesday 22 August 2017 enjoy spectacular views of Mount Sonder in the distance. Tonight you Alice Springs – Simpsons Gap will transfer to our campsite and watch the sun sink behind red sands. It’s good-bye city and hello wilderness. You will rise early for our first Trekking distance: 9.9kms Meals: B L D day of trekking. You will walk to Simpsons Gap from the outskirts of Alice Springs and take in the sweeping views of the West MacDonnell Ranges from Euro Ridge. Today’s trek will be your opportunity to relax into our surroundings and experience the wonder of this unique region. From Simpsons Gap, you will be transferred by private vehicle to a remote campsite on the Hugh River. Here, the true experience begins as we rest in a region synonymous with the dreamtime (Alcheringa) of the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. Trekking distance: 20kms Meals: B L D Day 3, Wednesday 23 August 2017 Serpentine Gorge – Serpentine Chalet Dam This morning, after breakfast, you will emerge on the western section of the Larapinta Trail. Today’s trek will be more challenging, however you will be continuously rewarded with spectacular views of the high quartzite ridgelines which typify the West MacDonnell Ranges. Expansive lookouts include Haasts Bluff and Mount Zeil which is the highest point in the Northern Territory. Tonight you will return to our campsite. Trekking distance: 13.4kms Meals: B L D 1300 905 188 [email protected] inspiredadventures.com.au youtube.com/inspiredadventures © 2016 Inspired Adventures. All Rights Reserved. 4 Day 5, Friday 25 August 2017 Day 7, Sunday 27 August 2017 Mount Sonder Ascent Depart Alice Springs This morning you will rise early and transfer from our campsite to This morning, you will bid farewell to Alice Springs, the Red Redbank Gorge at the base of Mount Sonder (1380m). The climb Centre and our Larapinta adventure. Jump aboard our airport to the summit is arduous and you will walk along a rocky and loose shuttle to catch your flight home. As the runway comes into path which occasionally disappears into brush. However, once view, you will be filled with the memories and moments that again, our efforts are rewarded with incredible 360 degree views have made this adventure one you will never forget. of the ranges, plains, valleys and salt lakes below. Here, take the time to catch our breath and bask in the grandeur of the desert Meals: B L D landscape. After descending, you will transfer back to our campsite. Trekking distance: 15.8kms Meals: B L D Day 6, Saturday 26 August 2017 Ormiston Pound Circuit – Alice Springs Today you will transfer to Ormiston Gorge to trek the Ormiston Pound circuit. Punctuating the West MacDonnell Ranges, this circuit is regarded as one of the best small walks of the Larapinta Trail and offers sensational views of the Chewings Range and Mount Giles. The trek is quite challenging and takes approximately four hours to complete. Set off on a trail which winds around low peaks before descending into the ‘pound’, a flat area enclosed by a ring of mountains. With our trek complete, you can enjoy a packed lunch before transferring back to Alice Springs. Dinner arrangements are up to you. Trekking distance: 5kms Meals: B L D 1300 905 188 [email protected] inspiredadventures.com.au youtube.com/inspiredadventures © 2016 Inspired Adventures. All Rights Reserved. 5 Surf Life Saving Surf Life Saving (SLS) is one of Australia’s most loved icons. Our volunteer Surf Lifesavers have provided a vital charity service of beach safety to visitors throughout the country from patrols to rescue services and safety education. The Surf Life Saving Foundation is the fundraising body for Surf Life Saving in Australia. The Foundation facilitates fundraising activities to deliver a positive contribution back to the movement for essential community programs and services throughout Surf Life Saving and state entities. This is your chance to join 169,250 members from 312 Surf Life Saving clubs throughout Australia to help protect people during the 100 million beach visitations each year. Our lifesavers ensure our beaches remain among the safest in the world. The cost of providing this lifesaving service is possible thanks to dedicated community support. Australia has about 35,000 kilometres of coastline and more than 12,000 beaches. Our volunteer Surf Lifesavers are on patrol and each day they save lives and much more. Your vital support has helped our volunteers fly their flags throughout the 2014/2015 patrol season. Here are some things we achieved during last patrol season: ĵ Performed 12,690 rescues ĵ Provided 42,424 First Aid treatments ĵ Committed more than 1.3 million patrol hours ĵ Performed more than 1.2 million preventative actions ĵ Established and maintained beach patrols at 312 Surf Life Saving clubs Australia-wide ĵ Operated 86 support services including Rescue and Surveillance Helicopter services, Jet Rescue Boats, Rescue Water Craft and Surfcom Communications Networks to name a few.