Hiking

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.

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.

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!

Last Saturday was a wonderful day for rogaining with great weather for everyone on the ground at Spargo Creek, South of Daylesford. The attendees/participants were very thankful and appreciative for the opportunity to learn a lot, at both the theory session and in-the-field as well as signing up for future rogaine events!

Katrina Watson OAM (received in 2018 for services to medicine) recently came in for a pack fitting with staff member Gerhard for the 3 Capes Track in Tasmania, just in time for her 70th birthday!

I really like the Escape Hiking Pack, and it was hard to decide which pack amongst the Mont range would work best for me. In their range of back packs the focus to durability is present. Using Infinity Core spun canvas predominantly, I have had no concern for wear and tear issues, and I have learnt over the years that owning a canvas pack means that UV rays don’t shorten the life of your pack, or cause internal de-laminations and the like.

It's 2007: An ambitious expedition is proposed. A solo, unsupported, off-track walk to the geographical centre of Australia, the furthest point from the ocean in all directions. The trip will encompass over 1750km on foot, amassing over 3 million paces through gruelling, unrelenting terrain. 18 Years on, Asolo TPS Boots going strong.

The Manaslu Trail Race is a challenging multi-stage trail race passing through some of Nepal’s most beautiful Himalayan landscapes in a part-circumnavigation of Manaslu, the world’s eighth highest mountain. Check out Brand Ambassador Nicole Paton's stage-by-stage breakdown of this out-of-this-world serious adventure.

So, I wanted a really warm jacket. Because sometimes layering isn’t enough. Or I'm sitting still, no fire nearby. Belaying a friend who is dogging their way up an ice climb while I stand in a sunless gully feeling my beard freeze. Sleeping in a snow cave. Chatting to friends until late. Walking around in the Arctic circle looking at the Aurora Borealis at minus 29 degrees Celsius. That sort of thing.