Blog

It’s been over a month since I crossed the finish line of The Track - the world’s longest single-stage, self-supported foot race. 520km through the heart of Australia, from Alice Springs to Uluru. Did I know it was the world’s longest single-stage race when I signed up? Did I know that in the last edition, not a single woman had finished? The honest answer is no.

We were en route to Nepal’s Khumbu region for Mountain Tribe’s flagship Everest Base Camp and Three Passes trek. After eight months of build-up training in Melbourne, our group of ten was fit, prepared, and buzzing with anticipation. What we didn’t expect was to land in a city underwater.

For as long as I can remember, hiking and mountaineering have been more than just hobbies - they’ve been my way of life. My journey began with a moment I’ll never forget: meeting the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary. Even now, the memory brings a lump to my stomach and tears to my eyes. As if guided by something greater, I happened to meet his son, Peter Hillary, on my very first overseas flight. It felt like the universe was nudging me toward the path I was meant to follow, the mountains.

Ultra Trail Australia by UTMB was, for the first time, a World Major Race. I lined up for the UTA100 with the goal of finishing top 10. I'm pleased with the outcome of placing 6th despite not having my best day. We always try to prepare for these big races in the best way possible and that includes trying not to get sick.

Patagonia in autumn. It’s a bucket list experience for many, and a place I was lucky enough to visit earlier this year while backpacking. It spans over a million square kilometres of land, encompassing the southern most parts of both Chile and Argentina. There are countless hiking trails to choose from. We however, opted for the most popular areas - Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, and El Chalten and surrounds in Argentina.

Shared Not Shut is a campaign about fairness, accountability, and the right to enjoy outdoor spaces in a way that respects cultural heritage while maintaining access to outdoor recreation. Through unity and strategic action, they are pushing for necessary legislative changes and holding our government accountable to ensure long-term protection of outdoor users' rights for all.

The new and much anticipated Ondra Comp by La Sportiva recently arrived on the shores of Australia and my toes have had the privilege of cosying up with them (almost exclusively) for the last month! Being the newest member of the extensive fleet of climbing shoes by La Sportiva, they are an incredibly unique and carefully curated shoe with a particular set of qualities and use cases in mind.

Paraclimbing is open to athletes with a physical or vision impairment in men’s and women’s individual competitions. 2 months ago, Brand Ambassador Glen Todd attended the first Australian Paraclimbing Team Camp and his second just recently. He is now on his way to the IFSC Para-Climbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025!

From the beginning of my time I have always been an active athlete. I spent my childhood running, cycling and competing. I had a bright future in sport. Until, in October 1997, at the age of 16, I was doing a post race recovery ride when I was hit by a car travelling over 100km/h. Please be aware that this article contains medical imagery that may disturb some viewers.

An early publication rates the 2 day Crinoline walk as "easy". Well, it ain't easy now! Due perhaps to relatively little traffic through regrowth and the unavoidable steep scrubby descent back down to the Wellington River by Breakfast Creek. Check out Staff Member Gerhard's latest serious adventure!