Five-minute read: Stacey Harland gets a reality check on a multi-day walk in the Blue Mountains.
So, it began 18 months ago, with my sister who lives in rural Queensland. She asked me if I’d like to join her and a bunch of other ladies from outback Queensland, on a six-day hike in the Blue Mountains. It took me less than two minutes to process the question, think about it and reply ‘yes’.
Next moment, we were shopping for boots, backpacks, sleeping mats and a whole gamut of hiking gear, seeing as we were both newbies to this concept of ‘hiking in the wilderness’.
The ladies I was about to meet, came from all over outback Queensland joining to partake a small and a big hike each year. Due to the drought, some were unable to go – so my sister, myself and my best friend filled in. We met each other through Facebook and email before finally meeting in person for our practice hike in and around the ranges in Toowoomba (which now in hindsight, looks like such a tame walk).
The serious pack training started. I was learning as much as I could about gear, food and trail notes that it took over my life. I had previously done a lot of distance running so fitness wasn’t an issue, but lugging an 18kg backpack up and down hills all day certainly wears you out!
Getting to the Blue Mountains was a repeat of the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but we finally arrived at Katoomba late at night, keen and excited for the day ahead. Due to adverse weather conditions, we postponed our hiking plans and did Prince Henry Cliff Tops walks and explored the area. The weather improved the next day so we set off on our quest to hike from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls through Jamison Valley via Mt Solitary. OH MY GOODNESS... a baptism of fire!
I was completely out of my comfort zone and pretty much in shock at what we had done, were doing - and still had to do. We did it then we went on to go from Blackheath to Victoria Falls through Grose Valley. I was completely in awe at the beauty surrounding us, both minute and microscopic, and large and grand. I was hooked – and so utterly proud of myself for such an achievement.
We have since hiked Gold Coast’s Hinterland Great Walk, Hinchinbrook Island, and most recently the 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge – touted as being Australia’s toughest team endurance event, walking non-stop and climbing 5000m in elevation over the course, while raising funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
I hope that my journey of stepping outside my comfort zone, (sometimes WAY out) has inspired women to get up and get out there – it’s a big wide world with lots to see, some of it scary but all of it wonderful.