Sommaire pour December/January 2021 de Great Walks

IN many a hiker’s camp or hiking hut one of the evening starter conversations is “What’s for dinner?” Nowadays I can showcase my pre-prepared, home cooked, home dehydrated and zip locked tasty two-course meal. Sounds good, but I did learn the hard way... Many years ago, our family of four embarked on our very first multi-day hike. We had just been dropped by boat in the humid mangrove creeks of Hinchinbrook Island in north Queensland to follow the five-day Thorsborne Trail and were brimming with semi-confidence about our hastily planned hike. Our backpacks weighed a ton – at this fledgling stage in our hiking careers we hadn’t heard of Backcountry meals or dehydrated dinners so we each shared a range of potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, and even (ha) a chopping…

THIS MONTH’S WINNING PHOTO Mornington Peninsula, Vic Deborah Sleight, Carrum Downs Vic Camera: Olympus Tough TG-5 Deborah: “We were walking the 30km Coastal Walk on the Mornington Peninsula when my hiking buddy Leesa decided to walk along the rocks, then we all realised the tide was coming in, let’s just say she got a little wet and we still had 20km to go.” Glenbrook National Park, NSW Klaus Heinicke via email Camera: N/A Kluas: “My wife and I were camping in the Glenbrook NP (part of Blue Mountains National Park). It was a cold wintery afternoon and certainly time for the fire. As we were sitting there this kookaburra just flew in, stayed for a few seconds, must have enjoyed the smoke around him and flew off again. Mind you,…

TAKING a self-guided walk is a cross between a fully independent and fully guided walk, where a walking tour operator provides you with transport and support but you do the walk on your own. Great Walks spoke to seven tour operators on why a self-guided walk strikes the right balance for many people looking for a walking holiday. World Expeditions What are the advantages of taking a self-guided walk over a guided one? Flexibility, organised logistics and price are the three key advantages. When you walk without a group, you are free to move – or stop – at your own pace. You are also free to tailor the itinerary to suit you, so you can add an extra day, choose to rest instead of walk, or tack on an…

ARRIVING at the old Jackson’s airport in May 1991 was a bit of a shock. I was met by Bernard Choulai who drove me to his haus in Badili, near the Koki markets in Port Moresby. Every haus along the way was surrounded by razor wire and there seemed to be an armed guard at every entrance. This forbidding first impression contrasted with the uninhibited friendliness I encountered. Bernard introduced me to the guide who would lead me across the trail: Alex Rama, a Mountain Koiari from Naduri village on the trail. I couldn’t get much out of Alex – his English was poor, and my tok pisin was non-existent, so I felt we were in for some interesting days ahead. A lack of information and maps meant I had…

IT may be a no-brainer but you’ve probably all gone on a multi-day bushwalk thinking you’ve got everything you need to make your walk safe and comfortable but then forgotten something. So in the interest of enjoyable times in the great outdoors here are the essentials for any overnight bushwalking or camping trip. Backpack Once again, a no-brainer, but what’s important is getting the right pack for you. So when considering how to choose a backpack, ask yourself the following questions: Where are you going? When are you going? What will the weather be like? How long are you going for? How much will you be carrying? What equipment will you be carrying, and what terrain will you be covering? Once you’ve answered these you’ll have a better understanding of…

UNPRECEDENTED, shocking, unbelievable, devastating. These are just some of the adjectives being used to describe 2020. And yet many people have found the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased resilience, strength, connection with valued others, and even happiness. How can this be? Research shows that we all have a happiness set point (HSP). Your HSP is your underlying happiness level. It can be shifted, but it does take work. The good news is that the sort of actions you can take to increase your happiness can be enjoyable too, like exercise, meditation, practising gratitude and spending time with loved ones. People who thrived during 2020 prioritised their happiness and positivity, even if they didn’t know that’s what they were doing. Studies show that the purposeful actions we…

AS a child I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, who was a great walker. Even in her late 80s she lived independently on her farm where she used to take me for long walks, or so they seemed then! I learned to love the way that nature enhances your senses, alongside the pleasure of having my grandmother to myself, talking and hearing her stories. I think she’d be proud of the work we do now, helping others experience the magic of being present in nature. My husband trekked the Kokoda Trail for Anzac 2006 and came home a changed man. Soon I found myself the proud co-owner of a trekking business, a far cry from working as a financial advisor! But I’ve found that business fundamentals cross…

IMAGINE completing a multi track walk from the northern town of Penguin and finishing at Cockle Creek, Rocky Bay in the southeast. Our six walks were Penguin to Cradle Trail (P2C), Overland Track (OT), Frenchmans Cap (FC), Port Davey Track (PD), South West Cape Track (SWC) and South Coast Track (SC). Our start date was Wed 12th February, with a plan to finish walking on Wed 25th March 2020. This is our story. There are many ways to describe Tasmania, as it captures people’s hearts in different ways. Ray Glancy, the leader of this epic walk, and his wife Dawn, had their hearts captured decades ago when they first explored the island. Ray has since ventured into more rugged, wetter, snow covered, isolated areas of this state, taking along many…

WANGARATTA (the Pangerang word for the long neck of the cormorant) sits at the junction of the Ovens and King Rivers in Victoria’s High Country. In terms of walking, the ‘Wang’ area ticks all the boxes. In addition to its spectacular natural attractions, the region boasts historic villages, vineyards, gourmet food producers, craft breweries and friendly country pubs. It also has a rich history of Aboriginal culture, gold discovery, cattlemen and bushrangers. The original inhabitants of the Wangaratta area were the Pangerang peoples and the first European explorers to pass through were Hume and Hovell (1824) who named the Oxley Plains, immediately south of the current township. These days, Wangaratta has a vibrant city centre with diverse walking trails, alfresco cafes and bars, arts precinct, parks and gardens. And it’s…

IF you’re an amateur photographer who prefers shooting with digital SLRs instead of the ubiquitous phone camera then Kosciuszko guide and professional photographer Mike Edmondson has some practical photography tips that could make your next outdoor photography trip the best yet. “Camping and hiking remotely in Kosciuszko’s most amazing locations provides wonderful opportunities to capture photos of incredibly scenic and remote locations. Here are six tips to consider on your next photography adventure wherever it may be! 1 Keep it light Multi-day hikes into the wilderness means you’ll have a pretty heavy pack full of clothes, food, camping gear. Lighten your load. I suggest you take handhold images where possible. This means more time for compositions, especially in wet, unstable ground and windy conditions. Save your heavier tripod for twilight,…

WHEN I was six, Santa brought me Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Dad covered it in plastic and wrote my name on the inside cover. It was my favourite book. Orphan Heidi (the story goes) was fobbed off by her career-focused aunt to live with her gruff grandfather high in the Swiss Alps. The two of them drank goat’s milk together and ate warm bread and imbibed the sweet mountain air. Heidi ran wild in the meadows and didn’t have to go to school. To me, the pages of the book smelled of ripe grass and goat hair. And freedom. I need only think of the book, or encounter a goat, and my heart turns light. A mere whiff of mountain air triggers a cosy nostalgia. So, two years ago I…

Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there’s nothing else to gaze on, Set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore, Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blazon, Black canyons where the rapids rip and roar? Have you swept the visioned valley with the green stream streaking through it, Searched the Vastness for a something you have lost? Have you strung your soul to silence? Then for God’s sake go and do it; Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost. Have you wandered in the wilderness, the sagebrush desolation, The bunch-grass levels where the cattle graze? Have you whistled bits of rag-time at the end of all creation, And learned to know the desert’s little ways? Have you camped upon the foothills, have you galloped o’er the…

Located in the Wimmera plains of western Victoria, Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park covers 7500 hectares and is valuable for nature conservation, with around 14% of the state’s flora species found in the area. As for fauna, you’ll spot kangaroos, shingleback lizards and peregrine falcons. The park is of cultural importance for the Wotjobaluk people who have been in the area for thousands of years. And just as we went to press a stone-tool quarrying and manufacturing site was discovered near the base of the mountain. There are several bushwalks in the park including the 15km Circuit Walk. Starting and ending at Centenary Park Campground, this mostly flat walk follows the park boundary taking in views of the region and offering access to the Mt Arapiles Summit via a short but…

THERE is an exciting research project underway at the Australian National University, called Mayi Kuwayu – The National Study of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing. An impressive group of scientists and researchers have come together to create the first national study of the long-held anecdotal belief of the benefits to First Nations physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of time spent on country. Whilst I’m not of First Nations heritage and can never fully understand the life-giving, powerful force that is an indigenous person’s deep connection to country, as a bushwalker I can appreciate the science-backed benefits to spending time in nature and feed my desire to learn about the other. A country of countries So whilst travel to overseas countries is off limits, now is the perfect time to…

The Blade is light, compact, tough and easy. With one pole, exterior pole clips, a single skin, and a total weight of 1.5kg, the Blade ($299) is easy to set up, take down and carry around. You’ll barely notice you’ve got it with you until it’s heroically protecting you from the night. More info visit: snowgum.com.au Email your pics to: editor@greatwalks.com.au (Subject: Picture Perfect) Please supply an image file no smaller than 1MB. Also include a 50-word caption, your address and the type of camera used.…

IF the last story left you wondering how you’d successfully tackle the Yuraygir Coastal Walk don’t fret! The good people at Yuraygir Walking Experiences has you covered. The Yuraygir Coastal Walk is one of the most spectacular and diverse in Australia. The biggest challenge for those wanting to undertake the walk self-guided is transport logistics. Whether you want daily walker transfers and/or luggage transfers, or simply a transfer from the end of the track back to your car, Yuraygir Walking Experiences can sort you out. This local business specialises in helping groups undertake the walk independently, when it suits them. Book accommodation (YWE can make recommendations) to suit your budget and group. Stay centrally in Minnie Water or Wooli (Stay and Walk Support) and they will get you on the…

STANDING at the summit trig on Mt Kosciuszko, the highest point in Australia, the 360° view is one that demands a slow pirouette. To the north, Kosci’s twin of Mt Townsend stands with Carruthers Peak like gatekeepers of the Main Range. East, across Etheridge Ridge, you look towards Charlotte Pass and Perisher, the bitumen streak of the Monaro Highway hidden well beyond. On a clear day, you gaze south across the Ramsheads to spy the Pilot Wilderness and the Victorian border. The final summit spin brings the verdant western vista into view, home to towns such as Tumut, Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Khancoban and Adelong, in an area known as the Snowy Valleys. Not quite Snowy Mountains, not quite Riverina, this region enjoys the best of both worlds, bringing together a love…

“I trained for and did Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Circuit in Nepal wearing Injinji toe socks with merino Kathmandu hiking socks over the top. I never had a blister even though our training hikes were in Brisbane heat and humidity from Sept to November and our hike was in the Himalayas in Dec freezing conditions. Can’t speak more highly of the two pairs for saving your feet. The number of people we came across doing the EBC hike that had terrible blisters just showed it works.” – Jackie Knott “Best ever cure for blisters, Hikers Wool. Stop early before you feel uncomfortable and chuck it in you sock (between toes, heal etc) The natural lanolin acts as a lubricant and is absolutely amazing. Also another trick is to tie…

Joshua Tree National Park At the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, Joshua Tree NP encompasses a magical world of big boulders, stunning sunsets, and acres of the park’s namesake flora. Numerous outlets for adventure exist in Joshua Tree, as well as campgrounds to spend the night. And the photo opportunities are endless, just check out U2’s Joshua Tree cover! Best walks: Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Keys View and Barker Dam Nature Trail. Yosemite National Park The crown jewel of the state, Yosemite epitomises the sheer natural beauty and charm of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Central California. Beckoning famous photographers, naturalists, hikers and rock climbers throughout its century-plus status as a national park, 1800 sq km park is full of wonder. Best walks: Yosemite Falls Trail, Half Dome…