25 Year Anniversary of Serious Adventures - Samantha Foster

10/06/2025

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.

That was over 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve been chasing adventure wherever it leads—across mountains, trails, and continents. I’ve tested countless pieces of gear (some brilliant, others... less so) and shared stories and summits with some of the most inspiring people in the mountaineering world: Sue Fear, Tim Macartney-Snape, Lincoln Hall, Peter Hillary, Brigitte Muir, Alyssa Azar, Andrea Cardona - the list keeps growing.

Through it all, one thing remains unchanged: my passion for the outdoors and the belief that an adventure is always just around the corner.

How did you get into hiking and why?

25 years ago, Samantha read a book called Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. She did a few walks up 1000 steps in Dandenongs but Jon’s story resonated with her - people who live in Nepal, very fascinated. She read all about other climbers including The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt and Touching the Void Joe Simpson and thought, I have to see this mountain, Everest.

Sir Edmund Hillary did a book signing in 2000, where at the back of the room - Samantha sat and listened. There were approximately 20 women out of 500 attendees with the majority asking exactly the same old question. “Were you first to get to the summit?” Over and over again. “I stood in line for that book signing for hours, waiting patiently with anticipation.

Once it was my turn, I asked: “What are the nepalese people like?” He looked up at me with his own tears and said “You have to experience the Nepalese culture for yourself.” I was hooked!

In 2000, Samantha joined a World Expeditions trip to Nepal’s Everest Circuit. Just weeks after meeting Sir Edmund Hillary, she was trekking to Everest Base Camp - her very first overseas adventure. On the flight, she was lucky enough to sit next to Peter Hillary, who went unrecognized by the other passengers, though Samantha knew exactly who he was.

After six hours of conversation, Peter shared some invaluable advice: “Get up early, see the streets at first light, and take it slow while hiking.” She also flew into Lukla’s dirt runway airstrip, a far cry from the modern-day airport it is to this day.

Later, in Namche Bazaar, Samantha bumped into Peter again. He took her and her group to the hospital, where they met a doctor who had summited Everest. They also visited schools funded by the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation - “a dream come true,” Samantha says.

I Will Always Return to Nepal

10 years later I saw global warming in real-life - I had taken photos at the same time as her last trip, comparison was clear at that time, glacier(s) gone - dirt now. My ultimate goal is to do the ‘Great Himalayan Trail’ with World Expeditions. Still saving up for that one!

Conquestathons

Samantha discovered the Conquestathon 21 years ago while leading a hiking trip to Mount Bogong (Victoria’s highest peak at 1986m) during the Labor Day long weekend. She paid $20 to climb the mountain in a day, with the funds supporting the Lions Club to maintain local tracks. Over the past decades, Samantha has participated every year (21) and says she’ll keep competing as long as her legs will carry her.

Fast forward to 2025, and the event now attracts over 300 participants annually. The Conquestathon is run by Kangaroo Hoppet now, aand Samantha hikes as support for her group, the TrailBlazers. A fellow hiker and friend has been part of the Conquestathon for 41 years, and the two now tackle the climb together each year.

Volunteering

Samantha joined a Meetup group called Hardcore Hikers and became a leader of TrailBlazers - 11 years ago, she now runs the group on Facebook and welcomes anyone who wants adventure in the great outdoors. Sam leads around 21 overnight hikes a year with TrailBlazers, which includes day hikes up the Glasgow Track (formerly known as The Scar in the Dandenong Rangers), Hikes all over the Alpine Region in the middle of winter and summer, 1,000 Steps, Conquestathon, Mount Donna Buang, Mount St Leonards and 7 days around Wilsons Promontory over the New year.

For multi-day hikes, Samantha loves doing the Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit (7 days), Mount Feathertop (3-7 days over Easter) and Mount Bogong her favourite - 70 times now! She also does a lot of winter ascents, when people get nervous during the season but the keenest would jump on, ask about gear, tents and packs etc. Samantha eventually found out for herself becoming more of an educator. Testing her own gear on summits and otherwise, reading the weather.

She considers herself a “calculated risk taker”, pulling the pin a few times on Mount Bogong. In 2023, Sam pulled the pin 3 times not being able to pass the tree line. She has also taken local football teams up Mount Bogong - as a pre-season training camp. Steve Moneghetti rates the Staircase Spur as one of his top 10 training spots. It's super challenging especially with a full pack in winter!

What do you love about hiking and why?

For Samantha, it’s the adventure. As an adventure junkie, she thrives on being up high, embracing the process, and learning from both success and failure. She’s come to understand the power of The weather, the thrill of “peak bagging,” and the all-too-real challenge of “summit fever” - where failure often outweighs success.

It’s inspiring to see so many more women hitting the trails these days - many of them hiking solo, which is fantastic!

These days, Samantha prefers to explore off-the-beaten-path trails, carving her own journey. She loves talking about gear - the good and the bad - and connecting with the micro-community of hikers. One thing she’s learned is always to pack for any weather. “You can never outrun the weather, but you can always be prepared,” she advises others.

What have been your other destinations, favourite(s) and why?

Mount Bogong - My all time favourite in Victoria, 30 degrees at bottom, -5 degrees at top with 30-60kmh wind gusts camping on the summit with my Mont Dragonfly Tent that never lets me down on this mountain
Stok Kangri - 6,153m (20,187ft) - Ladaka my ultimate overseas trip at the moment.
Mt Aconcagua - 6,961m (22,838ft) - Craziest weather mountain, I had to climb it twice!
Kokoda Track - Papua New Guinea, very emotional hike, I was so inspired I did it in both directions (north to south and south to north)

In my backyard stands a dead tree, adorned with old, worn-out boots from years past - hence, the name of my tree. 20 years ago, I settled on my Asolo TPS 520 GTX (wide), thanks to a tip from John Muir and the Drifters for my light hiking adventures. For the big mountains, I rely on my AFS 8000s. For over a decade, I’ve volunteered with TrailBlazers, leading hikes all around Melbourne, mostly in the alpine region and at Wilsons Promontory.

I lead both day hikes and multi-day treks (5–10 days), helping hikers new and experienced build confidence with their gear and navigate tricky weather. I live in the Dandenong Ranges, where the hills are alive with my footprints. Whether it’s the famous 1000 Steps, the challenging Glasgow Track, or the climbs at Mount Donna Buang and Mount St Leonard’s, you’ll find me out there, somewhere.

Some of the Trips Samantha has Done with World Expeditions

Everest Circuit - This being my first ever way back in 2000
Overlander Track - Twice!
Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya
Kokoda Track - North to South
South West Coast Track - Tasmania
Walls of Jerusalem Track - Tasmania
Everest High Passes
Mt Fuya Fuya - 4197m (13,769ft)
Imbabura - 4,580m (15,026ft)
Illiniza - 5,248m (17,213ft)
Mt Cotapaxi - 5,897m (19,347ft)
Mt Chimborazo - 6,310m (20,702ft)
Mt Aconcagua - twice! - 6,961m (22,838ft)
El Cerro Vallecitos de Mendoza - 5,570m (18,274ft)
Kokoda Track - South to North
Kangyatse - 6300m (20,669ft)
Stok Kangri - 6,153m (20,187ft)
Manaslu Base Camp Trek Crossing the Larkya La Pass - 5,140m (16,863ft)

I would highly recommend this company for any adventure. My next overseas trip is 4 weeks doing the Dolpo Crystal Mountain to Mustang Traverse in September.

If you see me out and about please come say hello, I love to chit chat all thinks hiking, you can never stop learning. To higher places and beyond!

Questions? Visit us, email us or call us (03 9600 0599).

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