Trips

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.

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!

These videos are a part of a growing collection of stories to show the importance of Mount Arapiles in the lives of so many - courtesy of Climbing Victoria. Watch this space for more!

In November 2024, the Victorian Government and Parks Victoria announced plans to close 63% of climbing and prohibit off track bushwalking at Mount Arapiles / Dyurrite. There has been no consultation with the local or climbing community. The future of Australian rock climbing is at stake. The climbing community urgently needs your help. Check out the short film by Lucas Corroto - including Brand Ambassador Ashlee Hendy!

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.

The Rapid Ascent Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Race is a 3 day trail running stage race along the most spectacular sections of the famed Bibbulmun Track in Great Southern WA. Check out Brand Ambassador Sia Kindberg's account of this sensational serious adventure.

As part of preparing for my trip to Italy where I competed at the Club Crew World Championships with Melbourne Flames Dragon Boat Club, I was made well aware of pickpockets (prior to my departure from family and friends plus recall regular announcements on trains and stations in Florence and Rome) and knew I needed not only a pack to transport my dragon boat gear for training/racing with ease but essential items for my travels across the country as well.

Daren Fawkes' most memorable trekking experience was in 2001 with his wife and two teenage sons to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Their sons were 14 and 13 and had been on bushwalks and in Scouts so they were confident they'd be up for an adventure.

Congratulations to the winners of The Way, My Way - Ticket Giveaway! We received around 40x entries and everyone that entered sure made it hard for us to choose our top 10. Beautiful short stories of triumph, spirituality, humour, romance and family. Without further ado, here they are.