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The Hiking Story

Journals, trip reports, gear reviews and musings from my long distance hiking adventures

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HomeSierra High Route (2017)

Sierra High Route (2017)

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Dreaming of heading back to the endless jagged crags of the Auther Range in Tasmania's Southwest NP. This section of my last hike blew away all expectations of how good the landscape and trail would be. #unconventionallife #hikertrash #thruhike #tasmania #tasmaniaparks
Tasmania's Southwest National Park stroll was a resounding success! 10 days, no roads, no rain during the day and the Arthur's Range to finish off the trip lead to a sore body but an amazing Christmas holiday.
For me, Thru Hiking is about the adventure, life long trail friends, wildlife encounters and of course all those epic landscapes but it is much more! I never really mention all the awesome people that I meet in towns so here is the most memorable locals that I have meet; 1. I was sitting at the pub and pondering what I should do for the -5F (-25C) arctic blast that was arriving the next day and I somehow started talking to another Australian, Monique @anothersouth. We were happily talking away for well over an hour when I realised the time and started to pack up to get back on trail. Monique and her family were saying in a cottage around the corner and offered a hot shower and a warm bed for the night. I actually declined but eventually caved to this temptation. I was so glad that I did as I ended up spending a couple of days hanging out with the most epic and nice people imaginable. It somehow was like being back home, I played board games and Lego with the kids, watched footy and just sat on the couch and had long informative chats. 2. Leaving the 3 Sisters on the PCT I had a swollen foot and wanted to get into town to ice it. I was hitching for 30 seconds when a car pulls over and asks what I’m up to and I asked for a lift I to town. He ponders me for a moment and then asks if I’m a crazy person. I was taken aback and that was enough for him. He then proceeded to offer dinner and a place to sleep for the night. I ended up spending a wonderful zero day kayaking with him and his family along a pristine Oregon lake with @adventuring_photos 3. I rolled into the town of Escalante a little beat. I just spent 6 very challenging days totally alone on the Hayduke. I while I recovered at the caravan park I met not 1 but 3 top notch people @luminous_leslie. I was socially drained after 3 weeks of almost no social interaction and I had a fantastic time simply taking and swapping stories the lawn with them. We even managed to catch up later that year. This is by no means a defining list as so many people along the way choose to open up their lives to me, a random stranger. They had nothing to gain from this, yet so often did. Have you had a wonderful experience?
Great Ocean Walk - Day 2 (24 miles | 40km) Who would have thought that I would wake up sore after a decent effort yesterday? It was just a bit of stiffness during the morning, but my lack of hiking activity over the last 3 months did come back to bite me in the form of a bout of epic butt chaff. That one hurt and I practically was waddling by mid afternoon as I arrived at Apollo Bay and the end of my journey. The day was scenic and varied. I had some fantastic coastal walking and ventured inland in the Otway NP for a few hours of rainforest exploration. The NP has some huge gum trees, but the most impressive element was the ferns larger than mini buses. The storm that I have been dealing with since the start of the day had some heavy dumps through the morning, but finally broke with the first light rays poking through around lunchtime. I was in the Otways at this stage and the soft light poking through the canopy really did create a great frame for the mega ferns. The last section was a lazy 2 hour walk along the beach. The overall quality of this trail was way better than I expected. There was even a few decent sections of actual wilderness areas! 7/10
Great Ocean Walk – Day 1 (36 miles | 60km) How good is walking? I was a bit drained from that last trip but back to thinking it is the best thing since sliced bread after a 2 month break. I got out early and spent the day wandering along 100ft (30m) cliff tops or scurrying away from waves as I tried to stay on the compacted sand. The first hour or 2 was spent finding a rhythm, but once that came the rest of the day was spent daydreaming and reflecting on my changing life. The trail today was very good to exquisite for a coastal walk. Sandstone cliffs, secluded beaches and so many animals. A rare black cockatoo was the highlight with echidnas, snakes, wallabies and kangaroos all making an appearance. The weather was rather wet, with constant storm fronts rolling in. I think this made the day even more interesting as I got to see the whole storm cycle as the clouds build up out to sea a and slowly came crashing into the coastline. Night came and I did not want it to end so hiked an extra half an hour before setting up camp for the night. Oh, I passed the 15,000 miles (24,000km) hiked on long distance trails. It means nothing to no one but it is nice to reflect on how much time I have spent outside and how totally worth ever moment has been.
After 10 weeks of working 60+ hours per week, I'm finally heading out for a mini hiking adventure. I am lucky enough to spend 2 days walking the 62 miles of the Great Ocean Walk. It starts at the incredible 12 Apostles and traveling through the lush rainforests of Otway NP. Along the way I'll get to see some of the most dramatic coastal terrain in Australia. It is save to say I'm looking forward to this one. 📷 from the PCT in the North Cascades
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