A microadventure at O’Reillys Rainforest retreat – that’s right - a microadventure! (Love that new word - thank you Alastair Humphreys). Leaving work early on a Friday meant I didn't have to drive up the mountain in the dark, (VERY hairy road, but stunningly beautiful). The drive takes about 2 hours from Brisbane, well, a tad longer after I threw in a stop at the quaint little town of Canungra at the base of the mountain. In Canungra I found a gem called Earthy Delights Café (vegan, … [Read more...]
Trekking Kokoda
The Kokoda Track - Difficulty: hard I step off the small 10-seater plane at Kokoda Station having just flown over the very mountain ranges we are about to traverse. They look endless and impenetrable. I can’t believe what we’re about to do. We gather together for introductions, our porters step forward in turn to tell us their name and the number of times they’ve walked the Track (there’s one first timer, and one guy who’s walked the track 100 times). Mary our trek leader explains that … [Read more...]
Finishing Kokoda
I stepped off at Kokoda Station with my pack snuggly on my back, my two walking poles and an excited, nervous curiosity about the adventure that lay ahead. Eight days later I walked proudly under the arches at the end of the Track, with sore knees, dirt under my nails, and tears in my eyes. This was something special. This was something profound…. It has taken me a week to fully leave the jungle and come back down to earth. I have been processing it all in my mind, craving some quite time to … [Read more...]
Hiking socks
I joined Base Camp Fit on one of their organised hikes during my Kokoda training, and I asked Trainer Chase Tucker to give me some tips about choosing the best hiking socks. Over to you Chase….. Have you been on a trek or hike before and spent hundreds of dollars on the best hiking shoes only to get blisters and finish the day with damp, shrivelled smelly feet? It’s a pretty common occurrence, and it’s because most people assume that all socks are equal, which is definitely not the … [Read more...]
Hiking Mount Greville
***Training for Kokoda and fundraising for the Mates in Construction suicide prevention program*** Donate here When I bought my new hiking boots at the K2 store they gave me a voucher for a free trek with Base Camp Fit. I decided to book one of their more challenging hikes – a 5-6 hour mission up Mount Greville, in the Moogerah Peaks National Park (out Beaudesert way). Somehow I managed to persuade my friend Melissa to come with me, and last Saturday we completed our most … [Read more...]
