California Dreaming
Blaze a trail of epic proportions through this infinite Californian universe. Dive into the Pacific, glide over sand dunes, conquer a mountain, taste the rush of victory, savour meditative moments and touch the stars in the cinematic City of Angels. Make extraordinary memories. Embrace everything. Be epic.
ACT ONE
A Golden State of utopia
Jet engines roar with savage power as we release the reins and charge towards lift-off. Escape velocity attained, we are liberated of gravity, soaring above a deep blue runway, reality left in our wake. An instant later, our jet skis return to the ocean’s surface in a cloud of salty spray and, traction regained, we accelerate towards the next wave that sends us airborne into an intense awareness of just how remarkable this trip is. Despite our addiction to adrenaline, some of us ease off the throttle and, from two miles out at sea, savour the tranquillity and panoramic views of Santa Barbara – its Spanish colonial heritage, palm-lined boulevards and standing guard, the Santa Ynez mountains.
Only two hours earlier, our 12-strong crew had been racing down one of those sun-drenched mountains on dual-suspension bikes, navigating an obstacle course of twisting trails, berms, loose gravel and bum-tightening jumps. While descents were the main meal of the day, some chose the challenge of an ascent laced with an extra dose of lactic acid and endorphin rush.
A pod of seals surfaces near our jet skis, drawing us back to the present. Further afield, Danny can be seen flying solo, having wisely jettisoned Gavin in favour of greater speed. Suddenly, he is hurtling towards us like a rogue torpedo and we quickly manoeuvre aside out of his trajectory. As we strive to steer clear of his perilous path, he cuts dizzying donuts in the waves with a huge grin splitting his face that seems to embody the ‘Be Epic’ ethos of our trip.
Twenty-six hours earlier
Twelve friends of 30 years converge upon the City of Angels from near and far, marking the beginning of this story. In flight, our fastened seatbelts keep us from floating away on a rising tide of excitement. The Spirit of Australia stays firmly on course. Sleep is impossible. Touchdown.
The last time we travelled together, most of us barely had a hair on our chest and Richie still wore berets. That was all about to change when, some months ago, Richie spoke the words “Will you marry me?” to his beloved. Four words – the catalyst for a chain reaction leading to this epic weeklong send-off for our once legendary mate. It is time to ‘Make Richie Great Again’ before he ties the knot.
We pile into our 15-seater, trailer-equipped Sprinter and follow the pristine Pacific coast northward. “Road trippin’ with our favourite allies, fully loaded we’ve got snacks and supplies, it’s time to leave this town, it’s time to steal away. Let’s go get lost in the USA”.
The sleepy fishing and surfing town of Ventura is our first destination. At the town’s historic pier, it’s all about foggy ocean swims and fresh local seafood. A couple of cold ones pulls us further into the seductive rhythm of the journey and before long we’re back on the road, cruising to Santa Barbara.
After about a hundred miles, the day’s driving comes to an end as we reach the American Riviera. This idyllic little stretch of coastline is our base camp for the next 18 hours, starting with an action-packed afternoon intended to jolt the system out of the Australian time zone and into the soul of California.
Just a bunny hop from our hotel lies a bona fide playground for anyone looking to get their mountain biking fix. It’s as fast and explosive as you could hope for; the only limit being one’s nerve. Some hit the trail with natural style, others make progress rivalling that of drunk turtles and many are quite literally brought crashing down to earth. It’s an epic entrée to this multi-day extravaganza.
The mountains melt into the Pacific Ocean and we find ourselves piloting jet skis on choppy seas at insane speeds, absolutely immersed in the moment … until we are running on fumes, having eluded Danny’s hunt, and return to shore.
Going the distance
So, it turns out that mountain biking and jet skiing go together like fish and chips, which is exactly what’s on the dinner menu. Still dripping in chain oil and windswept with Pacific salt, we enter Brophy’s, purveyors of fresh seafood and one of SB’s tastiest harbourside restaurants. We’ve been awake for more than forty hours but in the company of good friends, with good food and wine, it’s no challenge to stay awake a little longer. Eventually, the day’s endorphin rush slows to a trickle and with liquid amber flowing, rest is just around the corner (at the Best Western). Speed folds into sleep.
ACT TWO
Shifting sands
We rise with the sun after just a few hours’ shut-eye and crawl into the oversized people-mover. Daniel is behind the wheel steering us to SB’s best roaster for an urgent caffeine hit. In the rear-view mirror, a few faces look like turds rolled over twice, smeared with squiffy smiles – and it’s only the beginning of the second day. Strong coffees revitalise and ninety miles later we’re at Pismo, home to some of the most beautiful and sculptured sand dunes in the state.
With the 35-footer parked right on the beach, we transfer to dune buggies equipped with chunky treaded tyres and roll cages, perfect for exploring this ever-changing desert terrain. Looking like giant metal beasts we trample south, parallel to the water’s edge and then turn sharply east into a vast alien landscape filled with nothing but sand and sky as far as the eye can see. Putting pedal to the metal, we roll rapidly with the rise and fall of the dunes, feeling steel chassis rattle and strain under the force of powerful engines. Completely distracted by ‘next level’ fun, we quickly lose our bearings in this featureless maze, venturing ever deeper where we realise some of the dunes conceal sheer 100-foot drops beyond their crests … but only after Daniel and Richie drive over one such ridgeline to find themselves in total freefall. A close call and lesson learned – respect the dunes!
By this stage, we’ve lost two vehicles – Moshe and Dave, Brad and Gavin – into the wilderness. Eight of us remain and we’ve found ourselves bogged deep in the sand. Some of the dunes are so steep that, approached at the wrong angle, they can stop you in your tracks. Getting unstuck can be difficult. Even with eight of us, it requires lots of digging, pushing and pulling to dislodge the buggies. It’s a bit like an F45 workout on soft sand, which turns out to be effective training for the main event. With buggies returned, we’re back on board the Sprinter. Foot on the gas, wheels spin and spin and sink and sink deeper. Everyone disembarks. With the tide rising, this could be a very expensive mistake. Did anyone read the insurance policy?! A very solid team effort amid yellow jacket attacks and forty-five minutes later, aided by Brad’s driving expertise, we’ve freed the ten-tonne gorilla, pounding our way off the beach to solid ground (eh, was Danny swimming this whole time?). The road trip begins again in earnest. Goodbye Pacific coast. East, we go.
Migrating to nature’s heart
In preparation for our imminent private ranch stay, we stock up at all the big chains – Whole Foods, Walmart and BevMo! – with organic grub, processed junk and enough alcoholic variants to open a bar. There’s also the obligatory dirty burger at In-N-Out. Now, well prepared for going off-grid, we cruise further inland, feeling the mercury rise dramatically. It’s an epic 180-mile drive filled with entertaining banter (special comedy feature from Moshe and Gavin as Sergio and Nate bro, their American alter-egos), and all genres of music. Some tunes capture the crew with nostalgic potency – acoustic tentacles reach deep into the recesses of minds and deliver old memories and stories to the present; or simply compel us to ‘sing’ together flawlessly out of tune (except Tal). The mountainous landscape followed by narrow gravel roads indicates that we are closing in on Redwood Ranch, on the edge of Sequoia National Park in the southern reaches of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. A final steep descent and we are home, deep in the green woods.
There is an instant and collective “whoa” at the magnificence of the 190-acre property. From the house, which was once a wooden barn, a streaming river can be heard. In the dry afternoon heat, it’s not long before we’re cooling off in one of the river’s pools fed by a waterfall and surrounded by verdant forest. It’s a wholly immersive experience.
A long nightcap
Rivers of wine and whiskey begin to flow as daylight fades away. Spanish tapas materialise and we’re enjoying a catered seven-course dinner under a canopy of stars. Charge your glasses! Salud. A few stories about Richie, the man of the moment. Some words of gratitude from Richie, notably “the valiant work by Daniel and Edan in organising this event and to everyone for making such an immense effort to be here”. Glasses clink. More cheers. And then, steadily increasing slurred conversation.
We retire, not to bed, but to a small pit-fire encircled by wooden chairs, which Edan and Dave had set up while the rest of us finished dinner. It becomes the focal point for the rest of the night as we stretch out and sip more scotch until midnight comes and goes and flickering flames reduce to embers. We finally surrender to sleep on our terms, only after having squeezed every drop from this day, knowing that when this time is gone, it’s gone forever. There is only now. Embrace everything.
ACT THREE
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt” – John Muir
The alarm clock yanks Daniel from a deep sleep. It’s 5am. We’ve slept about ten hours in the past sixty. Daniel moves about the house trying to raise the dead. It’s an uphill battle and the real hills are still ahead of us. Strong coffee and uplifting stereo sonics is a remedy for most zombies who begin preparing backpacks for today’s Sequoia hike. After almost two hours of slow motion, we tumble into the Sprinter and we’re about to leave when Edan emerges from the house, moving like a sloth towards us. He collapses in the car muttering incoherently, saliva rolling down his chin (technically face rug). Though, in Edan, like the rest of us, there is an innate fascination with mountains that cannot be resisted and with the group now complete we set out.
It’s a steep and winding 35-mile drive to the trailhead, 7200 feet above sea level; about 6500 vertical feet above the ranch and in line with Australia’s tallest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. At this altitude, Sequoia National Park is home to groves of giant Redwoods, which stand upright, grand and imposing, stretching more than 300 feet into the sky, some having started their ascent 1500 years ago. It is also the territory of diverse wildlife, including coyotes, mountain lions and black bears, the latter having avoided extinction in this part of California unlike the sorry fate of their grizzly cousins (who still appear on the state flag).
The out-and-back hike rises steadily over four miles up to Lake Heather with an elevation gain of about 2300 feet and with our nav-man, Tal, having memorised the map, staying on course is assured. Step by step a fresh state of mind engulfs us – it really is a privilege to be in this spectacular environment. The influential naturalist John Muir said of California’s wilderness: “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.”
After a series of steep switchbacks and about three miles in, we emerge from the dense forest to the ‘Watchtower’, a colossal pinnacle of granite rock with sweeping views of the valley below. With a head for heights, Edan comfortably perches himself near the precipice, taking in the scene from the best vantage point. It induces fear and vertigo in some, with pleas to shuffle back falling on deaf ears. Others take it all in from a little further back. Timeless beauty on such an awesome scale.
From here, the trail becomes increasingly rocky where it has been chiselled from granite cliffs. Along this segment, every step is rewarded with breathtaking sights – Mount Silliman’s jagged summit at 11,200 feet, sheer cliffs along the canyon’s northern wall and a series of cascades still trickling at the end of summer.
The gradient of the track finally flattens and then gently descends to an emerald-coloured glacial lake, framed by streaked granite cliffs, coniferous trees and a jumble of massive boulders. It is a mesmerising scene best soaked up from within the freshwater. Plunging in, the water is cold enough to momentarily take your breath away and soon enough limbs start to tingle with a false warmth. With spirits awakened, there is a strong sense of connectivity to and appreciation for the sublime natural world we encounter. Back on shore, we thaw out in the scorching sun, eat lunch and embrace a meditative moment of silence to fully absorb this sanctuary.
Kicking back at the end of the day
High on mountain love, we’re back at the ranch settling in for the afternoon at the watering hole. Like a force of gravity, we are drawn to the waterfall. There are enough shallow rocks to let one stand completely absorbed within the falls. Feel the river. It flows, not past, but through us, energising every fibre of our bodies.
Dan, Tal and Daniel travel upriver, beyond our waterfall, to scope out other swimming spots but none equal the oasis downstream. As the trio returns, Josh is scrambling up the southern embankment to the top of a large overhanging rock. After some depth checks and chest beating, he steps off and creates a splash. It’s a fun jump and he’s the only one to do it. Meanwhile, a fresh case of Pacific ale arrives lakeside adding to the uber relaxed atmosphere. Even Linton is carried into a rare state of calm such is the magic of this place.
Day dissolves into dusk and we float back to the house on aromas of Italian food cooked by ‘fly-in fly-out’ chefs. It’s boozy alfresco dining at its best with close friends and the halfway mark for this trip.
ACT FOUR
L.A. Confidential
The last few days have been more action-packed than a James Bond movie. Now, on this fourth day, it’s time to shift down a gear and cruise, which we quite literally do for 200 miles. It’s another great road trip that cuts a pretty direct line through some of the largest oil fields in the state, patchworks of agricultural fields and long, arid mountain passes that push the Sprinter to its limits. Inside the cabin, it’s all banter and beats, courtesy of rival mix masters, Dave and Moshe. Time flies. Welcome to Los Angeles. Feel the force.
Walking into our North Hollywood pad feels familiar, like that of Larry David’s house from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Equipped with all the creature comforts, it’s pretty-ay, pretty-ay, pretty-ay good!
The next fifty-five hours features an array of scenes in this sprawling, cinematic city. There’s a bit of channel surfing on either side of the main event: sunset mojitos at Santa Monica, people-watching at Venice Beach and a laidback brunch on Abbot Kinney. All this, interspersed with some chilled vibes at the villa, listening to the soundtrack of our lives. But the Academy Award goes to the Friday night script that plays out like a better version of The Hangover starring all the usual suspects.
EPILOGUE
This has been one epic, unforgettable week of human elemental experience that perhaps only those who were there can truly understand. With such wonderfully busy lives, finding the time for adventure or to just ‘be in the moment’ has never been harder. Indeed, we are so lucky to share this once-in-a-lifetime trip with a one-in-a-million group of friends, where we had the opportunity to become disconnected yet infinitely more connected, to each other and to our surroundings. Thank you, Richie, for proposing and giving us an excuse to do this. It has been the ideal environment for a reunion of mates where we created stories – stories that we will tell our children, that we will retell and reminisce upon tomorrow and as we grow old; tales that will brighten eyes and eventually evolve into legend.
Packrafting the Charismatic Colo River, NSW
Rapid Russian roulette
In our inflatable packrafts we drift towards the final set of rapids of the day. Although out of sight, we are warned of their impending presence by a gurgling rumble that resonates through the ravine. The current hastens us forward but the water’s surface is still smooth as marble and the shallow sandy riverbed is crystal clear. It’s inexplicably calm; native birds cheer us along, but all of a sudden the stream accelerates and we need no further encouragement for, unable to resist the river’s momentum, we have reached the point of no return. Its rumble turns to a loud roar. Whitewater appears ahead but most of the watercourse slopes down and is obscured from our position. Someone nervously shouts, “Argh mate, what have you got us into this time!?” before turning his complete attention to the task at hand. Just as the tips of our crafts reach rough water, the full magnitude of the turbulent descent is revealed to us four novices. Senses sharpen, seconds slow, allowing time for the gamble we’ve played to dawn upon us; blind to the safest paths until it was too late.
Cast adrift
Richie leads down the right side, handling it well until he is abruptly pinned against a boulder. He is powerless to escape the river’s pressure, which builds up against his vessel and tips him sideways in slow motion. Taking the same line, I career past Richie, nudging him with my boat, dislodging him and allowing the river to flush him out. Dan is immediately behind and also makes it through intact.
Only Idi remains. The three of us watch as he charges down the middle, dodging trees and uneven stone blocks. Progress at first but then the unpredictable river steers him forcefully towards a rocky cluster. Idi counter-paddles but there’s no point, he is surrounded and out of options. His face contorts with the realisation of his predicament. The inevitable capsize follows. Moments later he surfaces among frenzied waves that throw him around like a leaf in a storm, before jettisoning him into calmer waters, where Dan is able to lend a hand. Despite the close call, Idi is in good spirits, as are we all, exhilarated by the experience.
Practice makes perfect
We regroup on a small patch of sandy shoreline and find a high vantage point from which to observe the wild rapids we’d just encountered. Immense quantities of fresh water squeeze through this narrow corridor of the Colo River on their way to the Hawkesbury River and ultimately the South Pacific Ocean. The kinetic energy before us is inspiring and after examining better routes, we portage back to tackle the same rapids again. Taking different lines each time and feeling that same uplifting thrill as we did on our first.
The riverbank makes for a comfortable lunch spot where we reflect on the journey thus far and how we came to be travelling through this remote and beautiful wilderness environment in such perfect conditions.
Every cloud has a silver lining
During the past two weeks, a persistent wet weather system had settled over much of the state, including the Colo’s catchment area. The grey skies and frequent showers felt like scenes from London, not Sydney. But there was one benefit. Exploring the Colo River had been on my mind for more than two years and the rains were making this possible, by transforming it from a dehydrated trickle into a surging stream. Religiously, we monitored its height through the Bureau of Meteorology, and once it started to ease, from severe flood levels, we knew it was our time.
A few days later we are descending Bob Turners Track into one of the world’s largest gorges, where few people visit. What a privilege to be here. The walk is pleasant and soon enough we meet the river. We blow up the Alpacka rafts and take them for a ‘test spin’ by paddling upstream towards King Rapid, which is the river’s toughest rough water segment. We get very close but are repelled by the gushing outflow and cannot find portage options.
Back at the base of Bob Turners we fasten our backpacks to the front of our cargo carriers and travel downstream. At times we enjoy the faster pace and physical workout that comes with consistent paddling but we are also content to meander along, savouring the sights, sounds and scents of the natural world around us. The ebb and flow of our approach is occasionally interrupted by rapids that turbocharge; first one, then another, followed by the finale, which is by far the tastiest of the day.
Ending with serenity and speed
The rest of the day continues in much the same way sans rapids. In this secluded sanctuary we let the river guide us – all four rafts tethered with cord – floating around broad bends, under overhanging trees and around islets composed of dense plants. We stretch out, as does time itself, feeling a sense of calm pervade the canyon. An irresistible meditative peace engulfs the mind. Perhaps an hour goes by but our pace is too slow to continue in this way. We snap out of the trance and hightail it to the finish at the Upper Colo River bridge, 9.5 hours and 31 kilometres after heading out.
Two years in the making – the wait was worth it!
100 Hours in New Zealand

We are welcomed by NZ’s highest peaks; Mount Cook’s eternal sister, standing proud and regal in the distance as we conclude our 275km scenic drive from Christchurch to Aoraki National Park. Mesmerising, timeless beauty on such a grand scale. We hike up Mount Ollivier to get a better vantage point and find that “[we] only went out for a walk [but] finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, [we] found, was really going in.” – John Muir
New Zealand had been on my radar for some time, so when I saw return flights for just $400, I knew it was time to cross the ditch and finally explore this magnificent island nation. Two days later my good friend and I touched down in Christchurch about midnight. With 100 hours on the ground, the plan was to make every minute count with an itinerary light on sleep but bursting with experience — from gourmet food to glacial fields, quaint towns to crazy treks, and azure lakes to alpine landscapes.
Our journey through this verdant land with colossal snow-capped peaks saw us travel 1200 kilometres on scenic uncrowded roads. We hiked to Mueller Hut and beyond to Mount Ollivier, the exact climb that inspired Sir Edmund Hillary’s mountaineering career, and then we dashed over to the adrenalin capital of the world, Queenstown. There, we unleashed a rush of endorphins as we downhill mountain-biked the steep trails of the Skyline, followed immediately by a high-speed jet boat trip before finally easing off the throttle as we sipped lager at a boutique pub proud of its creative craft beers. Next, we found ourselves in Wanaka and Lake Hāwea for another quad-breaking tramp (as the Kiwis call it) to the isolated Grandview Mountain, though any calories burnt were countered by crispy wood-fired pizzas for dinner back in Wanaka. The clock struck nine of the hour and our flight from Christchurch was due to depart at the crack of dawn. We hit double espressos, beelined back to Christchurch, caught an hour shut-eye in the hire car, returned the keys and flew over the Tasman Sea back to Sydney, just in time for work. It was an inspiring first trip to NZ and the first, I hope, of many more.

A spontaneous decision to fly to New Zealand with Edan. We arrived in Christchurch at midnight, were asleep by 2.00am but on the beach by 6.00am to be greeted with a golden sunrise to mark the start of our road trip. The plan from there was to squeeze as much as humanly possible into four full days, sacrificing sleep in favour of unique experiences.

Stop and smell the lavender – just one of the many incredible pit stops on our travels

A sea of lavender

There is only a handful of countries in the world with such blue-turquoise lakes due to fine “glacial flour” pouring and streaming down from the surrounding mountains

Roadblock

Somewhere en route to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Rolling hills and luscious colours

Sealy Tarns on the way to Mueller Hut and then Mount Ollivier

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir

The red roof of Mueller Hut below

Quintessentially road-tripping

The beautiful Lake Tekapo

Back-burning

Lakes everywhere

Where’s Wally? Scrambling up towards Mt Ollivier

No caption required

The spirit of New Zealand engulfs us and the wonders we encounter in this remote and rugged region draw us ever closer to the natural world around us

Looking out from Mount Ollivier

Looking out from Mount Ollivier over the entrance to Mount Cook National Park

Gas stop

Queenstown from above

Downhill mountain biking the Skyline trails

Horse power

Heading out from Lake Hāwea, Idi and I had the Grandview hike all to ourselves. The isolation was invigorating, not to mention the 1000m vertical ascent and descent over 18km.

We set off from the Grandview trail head under sunny blue skies, but as we ascended, a wicked wind whipped us from the west. We knew it had swept over the snowcapped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park, but we were still surprised by its icy fury. Despite travelling uphill, we had to wear thermals, fleeces and windbreakers. Our preparation had put us in good stead. In one of the last photos of our New Zealand adventure, Idi begins the descent while I hang back to capture a few photos before he vanishes into the white abyss.

There is happiness and gratitude written all over my face as the New Zealand adventure nears its conclusion at the top of the Grandview hike with windy, near-freezing conditions. We left no stone unturned in our quest to experience as much of this extraordinary country as possible in a short space of time. Thank you NZ and Idi for what I hope to be the first of many unforgettable trips to this country.
Bushwhacked in the Budawangs
Cerebral implants of epic proportions
The Universe Doesn’t Give a Flying Fuck About You – it’s the name of a strangely captivating motivational piece by Johnny Truant and somehow it had found its way onto my Kindle reader while en route to the Budawangs. Its message is abundantly clear: seize the day and make your mark.
Anthony Kiedis’s voice emanates from the car’s speakers and fills the cabin as we drive from Sydney to Morton National Park. It’s music to the ears (obviously), but to five school friends of thirty years, it is so much more because at its core lies a nostalgic potency. Its acoustic tentacles reach deep into the recesses of our minds and deliver old memories and stories to the present. Remember when we were young! Shall we throw caution to the wind once again, for old times’ sake!?
And then, the music fades as we transition into a full reading of Johnny’s 4000-word book. Idi’s stentorian voice is so powerful it puts Anthony Kiedis’s to shame. Idi is overcome with rapturous lunacy, yet somehow the delivery works and complements the words, the passages and its call to action. He reads aloud, eyes aflame:
You are here now … You have but a nanosecond on the universal clock to do whatever it is you’re going to do. When that time is gone, it’s gone. Forever … There is only now. If you have power, it’s now. If you can change anything, you have to do it now. If you want to be or to have that next great thing, be it. Have it. Take it. Own it. Do it. Become it. Be awesome. Do epic shit. Do it now. The clock is ticking.
Something stirs deep inside Tal’s subconscious. He does not even know it yet but the epic seed has been planted. At a critical juncture in our Budawangs journey, it will germinate, compelling Tal to uncharacteristically throw caution to the wind by advocating an impossible extension to our already long trek. But more on that later.
Loading up on carbs and gear
First, we pit stop at a fancy Milton restaurant and eat like kings for tomorrow we ascend the Castle, the Budawangs’ terraced tabletop mountain and the jewel in this region’s crown of fortressed peaks. Wined and dined! We fight off the food coma, pile back into the 4×4 and drive directly to a basic lodge on the Clyde River, conveniently close to the trek’s start at Long Gully. Under a canopy of stars, we enter our cabin and prepare packs; always a painstaking process with every item pored over for its utility while striving to minimise weight. Beasts of burden we are not, yet at this stage it is easy to convince oneself that an extra ounce here or there won’t add up to a pounding of one’s stamina. Over eighty- or ninety-thousand steps in tough terrain, investment in intelligent weight minimisation pays dividends step after step after step. By the time we’ve accomplished this packing feat, we have enough time for about five hours’ shut-eye before our pre-dawn departure.
Alarm clocks ring. Caffeine hit. Make that a double-double for Richie. Hot chocolate for Ezra (what’s the point!?). Set off.
King of the Castle but our reign doesn’t make the history books
After a short and sinuous drive, we are at Long Gully. In the dark, we walk past a scattering of faintly visible tents to the trail head and step through the threshold into an organic oasis that calms the mind. Guided by headlamps, we cross the Yadboro River and commence the steady uphill along Kalianna Ridge. We rise up with the sun, and now in full daylight appreciate the spectacular views of the valley behind us. Up, up, up. Time passes. We reach the Castle’s lower ramparts – for bushwalkers, the only way to ascend is to exploit the one and only chink in its armour, by piercing through its torso (‘Meakins Pass’) and scaling its tail (‘the Tadpole’) to the summit. After lots of scrambling we stand atop the Castle and look down 800 metres to where we started, and far beyond in every direction. Pristine panoramas present a sea of greenery, interspersed with black granite cliffs and sandstone walls sunburnt with ochre streaks and, finally, beyond Pigeon House and Ulladulla lies the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an immersive, wholly mesmerising moment that even the talented brush strokes of a master artist could not convey. For the full picture, one must stand in this very place and soak up the entire elemental experience. We are humbled by its timeless beauty.
We travel along the Castle’s scrubby and rocky summit plateau towards its southern cliff line in search of the logbook. Despite the flat terrain, our pace is slowed by barriers of bristly bush, which thrives up here. Taking the path of least resistance, we zigzag our way southwards, until finally reaching an excellent vantage point of Byangee Walls, albeit with no sign of the logbook. We enjoy a meditative moment in this tranquil setting before cold winds breathe down our necks, ushering us into action to reach our next objective, the Monolith Valley.
Making monolithic memories
Three hours after departing the Castle’s peak and 7.5 hours since starting out, with the sun now directly overhead, we stand at the periphery of the grand Monolith Valley. It feels like an enormous natural colosseum – its central plateau is a maze of dense bushland surrounded by glaring cliff faces and, here and there, imposing stone pillars (‘monoliths’) stand guard over this fragile ecosystem. We sit atop a million-tonne rock with a flat peak; heat radiates from its surface. It is quiet save for nature’s soothing sounds and each of us drifts into a long and peaceful state of rest. Snap, snap, snap – the alien artificial sound of my camera brings Idi, Tal, Ezra and Richie back to life. It is time to move on.
Birth of a brainwave
At the entrance to the Monolith Valley’s labyrinth, Tal studies the topographical map for a route to Seven Gods Pinnacles, our intended next milestone. Then I suggest, only half-seriously, that instead we climb Mount Owen, descend the narrow gully on its western side, circumnavigate its northerly cousin Mount Cole and approach Seven Gods Pinnacles from the opposite side, before returning to our current spot and only then beginning our return to Long Gully. It is an epic route in itself, let alone as an extension to our already long journey! I fully and reasonably expect point-blank rejections and secretly welcome such, but my friends actually consider the proposal; though in reality it is Tal as traditional lead navigator who needs to be persuaded – his endorsement has the most gravity. Surprisingly, no convincing is required – all that sweat, sun and serenity have gone to his head and nourished the epic seed, sown less than twenty-four hours earlier, into a resilient, highly contagious idea. Be epic! Do it now! The clock is ticking! Carried by the wind, Johnny Truant’s words beckon:
Realise that time will never stop. Never. It’s like being on a train with no stops that’s always leading you farther and farther from home … You can never get off that train. You can never board a train going in the opposite direction. If you missed a stop, tough shit. If there was this great thing even just two miles back that you decided not to do, you can’t change your mind and go do it. That place is gone forever.
Just do it. Claim it. Stop waiting for permission to be epic … Want to be epic? Just do epic shit. There’s nothing else to it. Nobody’s going to make you good, or great, or amazing, or epic. Nobody’s going to level you up. If you want that next level, take it. Take it for yourself. Grab it. Become it. Claim it. Do it. Do it. And, if you fail, big deal.
Epic extensions
Optimistically we forge ahead knowing, deep down, that we’re biting off more than we can chew, but still willing, indeed eager, to put our best foot forward and give it a shot. Good navigation (and cairns) sees us move swiftly through the convoluted alleyways of the valley, until the tenuous track dips down and spits us out into a creek bed. It is cooler and darker here as the surrounding mountains cast shadows and thousands of trees form a canopy overhead as they seek ever greater heights in a competitive struggle for sunlight.
Like the trickling stream underfoot we move slowly, consulting the map and searching for a way to the roof of Mount Owen. Something catches Tal’s eye on the slope to our right – a potentially passable sliver running diagonally upwards offering a less precipitous approach. It’s our best bet. We slip and slide our way up, using exposed tree roots and rocky protrusions as handholds and anchors before abruptly descending into yet another creek bed. Oaky Creek is blanketed by rainforest vegetation and fallen trees. We travel upstream using a combination of moss-covered boulders and vines as bridges and ladders. Ten hours since we left the cabin. Fatigue starts to set in. Again and again we climb and clamber and stumble. The final section of the climb is blurry and then suddenly a steep incline elevates us beyond the reach of the jungle and the summit is attained. Free of the dense forest we can relax amid space and solitude and hard-earned views of the majestic valley below. It is an unforgettable moment.
The sun sits low in the west; still above the horizon, but daylight is now in short supply. It’s a race against time to find a route off this mountain’s north-west edge into the Owen/Cole divide and then to Trawalla Falls and beyond. In the dark, even with headlamps, locating a safe descent would be a miracle. This mountain has been made from the same mould as the Castle – its peak is rocky but quite flat and large swaths are densely packed with spindly trees and thick tall grass. Navigation is confusing and, for a while, exacerbated by countless cairns that lead us down the garden path, until we ignore them. Still, we continue to encounter false leads and dead ends and eventually pause to face the facts. Some heated exchanges ensue before common sense prevails and we unanimously decide to turn back. There are no regrets. We’ve blown our initial goals out of the water and made it to Mount Owen, a peak that eluded me on a previous trek from the Wog Wog side. I feel great. We’ve guaranteed ourselves the ‘tiger walk’ I was looking for given the remaining mega-journey back to Long Gully – it’s the cherry on top to really test our endurance.
By the time we return to Oaky Creek it is pitch black and we fully rely on our head torches. Even with bright, broad-beamed lights it is hard to get a global perspective of our position and with tunnel vision we miss the turnoff to the valley proper. We travel downhill along the creek towards the cliffs of the main plateau for some time. The area feels different – we find ourselves wading through a compost heap of decaying leaves and fallen trees that occasionally give way to engulf legs and hiking sticks. Clearly we are off course and the possibility of an uncomfortable night’s sleep right here becomes very real. There is no phone reception but there is just enough GPS connectivity to give us our position on my iPhone’s Google Maps app (but only if the maps are pre-loaded, which they were!). A blue marker on the screen confirms what we already know. U-turn and backtrack until we find that critical cairn and we’re back on track and into the Monolith Valley. The detour costs us more than an hour but the experience is priceless (after it’s done, of course).
Home sweet home
Through Nibelung Pass and onto the Castle Walking Track we go, which clobbers quads as it twists and turns its way downhill. We step in, on and around the exposed tree roots and rocky outcrops that infiltrate this path until eventually it flattens and widens and we’re on the home stretch to Long Gully, a full seventeen hours after leaving the cabin.
Just two hours later we’ve gone from the mountains to McDonald’s, from Budawang beauty to burger buns, from pure living to processed largesse and it tastes so good! A further three hours later and we’re back in Sydney. Sleep comes easily.
Reverse Mt Solitary Traverse (in a day)
Crew: Bloom, Bos, Dan, Idi and Richie.
Mt Solitary in the Blue Mountains has become an annual pilgrimage for me and, as I’ve written before, has a special place in my heart. It was an overnight walk here in the winter of 2013 with a group of friends that triggered an epiphany as to just how rewarding and rejuvenating bushwalking can be for both body and soul.
Bushwalking has all the ingredients of a good adventure but my preference has always been for a recipe requiring generous amounts of blood, sweat and tears in order to test one’s physical boundaries and build camaraderie among mates. The romantic notion of an enduring and arduous walk has been gnawing at me for some time and though Reverse Mt Solitary in a Day did not qualify as sufficiently challenging, it did offer a taste of what is to come when I finally convert this idea into practice in the future, whether it be via the classic Three Peaks, K2K-in-a-day or one of the ‘multi-dayers’ in Tasmania.
On this occasion, we reversed the classic Mt Solitary traverse by starting somewhere along Kedumba Valley Rd and finished atop the Golden Staircase (as mapped below). We also threw in a ‘bushbashing’ detour near the Kedumba River, which tested our navigational skills. It was a powerful reminder of just how quickly one can lose one’s bearings in this oceanic woodland …
… this tangled network of fallen leaves, dense underbrush, sudden crags and soaring trees blocked and obscured landmarks leaving us unable to reconcile our physical location with the map. The intention had been to reconnect with the Mt Solitary Walking Track but after roaming through this undulating leech-infested terrain with no sign of said path, we decided there was only one way to end our predicament. And so, we followed one of the many tributaries of the Kedumba River back to our position pre-detour. All said and done, this circumbendibus cost us 2 hours 36 minutes but was priceless in adventure gained and lesson learnt – always travel with a compass!
Having previously written about the beauty of this isolated sandstone plateau, I’ll let the pictures and accompanying captions tell the story for the 2016 experience. Overall, we spent 11 hours 51 minutes in the wilderness covering 26km and accumulating 1,816m and 1,656m in vertical ascent and descent (respectively).
Pilgrims in Tasmania’s Holy Land: Walls of Jerusalem National Park
By Daniel Frank
Day 1
Crew: Bergman, Doff, Frank and Greenblo.
We were beginning to believe we would have to spend the night out here, perched on the mountainside between trees that were slouching under the weight of snow. It is already dark and there is no prospect of pitching tents on the steep slope. Our goal is Lake Meston Hut. We know we are close but cannot be certain; the trail lost long ago. The little yellow marker on our GPS indicates the hut is surprisingly close; less than 100 footsteps away, but as we strain our eyes we see no evidence of shelter, not even a faint outline. Instead, we are confronted with more of the same black, dense woodland we’ve found ourselves wading through these past few hours. We surge forward in desperation, leap over a small creek and, to our relief, finally find ourselves in a small clearing with the hut its centrepiece. As we enter the ramshackle timber structure, we feel grateful to be here, rewarded for our efforts, and despite its shortcomings, it is a sanctuary for the night.
As we settle in for the evening, I can’t help but reflect on just how far we’d pushed. We are too fatigued for the usual campsite banter, managing only the bare minimum of practical exchanges before drifting off into a deep sleep with thoughts of how we’d reached this point swirling in our minds …
… how differently our first day had begun. We made our way along the arduous and bushy Lake Myrtle Trail. It was mainly ‘off track’, but we had just set off and with energy levels still high we made good progress. As we reached Lake Bill, we caught our first glimpse of the Central Plateau, the heart of Tasmania’s pristine high country. The rocky top of Mt Rogoona lay in the distance and quaggy Lake Bill surrounded by a patchwork of snow. We had passed Lake Myrtle, which glistened in the gentle Tasmanian light. It was prehistoric and both subtly and spectacularly beautiful.
The rest of that day had progressively become more challenging. The snow cover increased and the track disappeared. Our pace slowed to a mere 500 metres an hour, hampered by thick scrub. We pushed on, not knowing just how much tougher the terrain would become. Its difficulty peaked in those final hours and minutes, when we stood in the dead of the night, disoriented but only 100 footsteps from our sanctuary.
Day 2
Faint rays of morning light pierce through cavities in the cabin’s walls and encourage us out of sleeping bags. The hut had afforded us a good night’s rest and served us well, as it had others before us. The logbook shows that we are the first people here in four months! We proudly call ourselves the ‘winter warriors’, though we are not sure if it was bravery or stupidity that drove us to take on the snow and marshland of Tasmania’s Central Plateau.
We start Day 2 much as we had finished the first. The path is unstable in the icy mush, blocked by yet more snow-bent saplings. Our decision to venture up here during winter is being tested. But at least it is relatively flat and we can see picturesque Lake Meston as we push on.
At the northern end of Lake Meston we come across a lovely little campsite, which had clearly been the preferred choice for those sensible enough to choose summer as the season to meander the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. We move passed it and across an undulating snow-covered plain towards Lake Adelaide. It’s black, tannin-stained water constantly draws our gaze as we walk along its eastern edge. It is overcast and spitting but undeniably magnificent. We stop for a lazy lunch on the trail, just a couple of metres from the lake’s shore.
Tonight, we camp by the famous Pencil Pines at the northern end of Lake Adelaide. The trees are so triangular in shape that they look like props from a low-budget Christmas special. The day had been hard but, this time, we reached camp well before dark. We string up a tarp between the trees to protect us from the rain. We joke and laugh, preparing endless cups of tea from lake water that tastes artificially sweet. The isolation, the beauty, and the challenge were sinking in.
Day 3
In the morning we put on our snowshoes in anticipation of yet more snow. But as we scale up a small hill towards Mt Moriah the snow disappears. Taking our snowshoes on and off subject to the conditions had already become a theme of the trip. Depending on the aspect of the hill, the snow would either be non-existent, icy slush or just plain deep.
At the top we encounter another snow-covered plain which leads to the beginning of Lake Ball. Closer to the lake we come across a strange environment of partially submerged, spongy plants with fast flowing rivulets between them. Hopping across we make it to the other side and what we find astounds us. Lake Ball is partially frozen and thick enough to walk on in places. We just didn’t believe this was Australia – it felt like the Patagonian wilds or the Canadian tundra.
The track continues and once again we are on a hillside. It becomes increasingly steep, probably 45 degrees. One false step and you would slide down to the lake shore and perhaps into it. The snow forces us to slam our snowshoes into the side of the hill to get a footing. This became increasingly important as more and more jagged granite rocks started to poke out. Our fear of falling into the lake was replaced by a fear of being impaled. The rocks looked deliberately carved and strategically placed like fortifications intended to keep people away. The weather and the mountains were trying to kill us, this much was clear.
But like the weather on the Plateau, nothing lasts forever and the track once again flattens out. Ahead of us, the gentle incline of Jaffa Vale leads to Dixons Kingdom Hut, perhaps the most famous hut in the park. It is a shallow incline but the going is tough. The snow is uncompacted causing us to drop knee- or even waist-deep into spiky bushes or gaping holes between the vegetation, over and over again.
Arriving at Dixons is bittersweet. Like us, the hut is cold and damp. We eat lunch and watch the rainfall. We are only half way to Wild Dog Creek Camp. Exhausted and freezing, we consider staying the night but decide to push on, ensuring a quicker, earlier exit in the morning.
Just beyond Dixons Kingdom Hut we see deep footsteps imprinted in the snow. Perhaps we aren’t the only crazy people out here, though we’d not actually seen another person since we set out.
Desperate to avoid walking in the dark again we attack the trail and soon enough reach Damascus Gate. The spectacular glory of the main Walls area presents itself: to our left are the imposing cliffs of Solomon’s Throne and King David’s Peak and to our right innumerable lakes, patches of Pencil Pines and a distant stormy horizon. The despair of lunch lifted. The grueling and relentless battle it had been to reach this point was worth it many times over.
We move quickly downhill towards Wild Dog Creek, passing the Pools of Bethesda. Wallabies and wombats casually graze in the bush as we pass. Our third campsite has tent platforms, toilets and tapped water. It feels so developed. There is also a resident possum that is incredibly persistent in its attempts to pilfer our food. The lack of sustenance among the snow made the animal desperate and unperturbed by our shouts and gestures. Everything out here is tough, even the possums.
Just as we finish setting up camp it starts to snow heavily. We have now experienced all types of weather except (thankfully) a severe storm. Tassie’s unpredictable weather is oh so constant.
Day 4
The final leg of our journey passed Trappers Hut is purposeful. There is still plenty of snow but as we descend little streams of water appear, finally converging and turning the track into a fast flowing creek. Despite only being a few degrees above zero it felt decidedly balmy compared to the cold nights. And, just like that we had left the Central Plateau.
Expedition X – Midwinter in Kosciuszko NP
The crew, just before setting out from Guthega.
Guthega Power Station greets us early on in our snowy mountains midwinter trek. We’ve been lucky with snow bucketing down in the lead-up to this weekend extravaganza of snow, sweat and solitude.
It is still early on our first day and the uphill battle begins. It is a steep climb, made harder with heavy packs and of course fresh powder snow that could easily swallow you up to your waist, even with snow shoes. Still, we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
In the distance, we see signs of a climatic change. Thick clouds and fog stare us down and reach us with alarming speed. Enshrouded. The wind intensifies, visibility drops and so too does the mercury. We charge upwards and as some of the crew breaks away, they look like silhouetted stick figures in this vast white arena. We reach one of several peaks and thankfully just beyond one we find a place to establish camp; it is not where we had planned to be, but daylight is running out.
By now, we are knackered and desperately want to raise our tents and settle in for a steaming-hot cup of tea. But first, a whole lot of hard yakka – shovels out, lots of landscaping (i.e. create level ground and windbreaks) and finally pitch tents and secure to snow using dagger-length (+30cm) pegs. Everything takes so much longer when travelling in the snow!
At last, we are able to take refuge in our tiny tents, shielding ourselves from the elements while stretching out weary legs and strained backs on a cosy double base layer comprising a foam closed-cell mat and an inflatable mattress (Thermarests in our case). Bliss, for a period. But as time goes on, I realise the snow is further compacting underneath my bodyweight and soon enough my bed is uneven and sloping and as I sleep, I slowly slide toward Richie in what was already a very snug space. Though with the temperature plummeting overnight to 9 below zero, forced spooning with Richie has its practical benefits.
So, with the first night behind us, we further develop our ‘tent city’ and build a kitchen, a communal lounge area and reinforce our windbreaks, which took a shellacking overnight. We then take the opportunity to explore the surrounding mountains free of backpacks, feeling light on our feet, like snow leopards instead of the beasts of burden we had become yesterday. The natural splendour and solitude of this Martian landscape gives rise to a tremendous sense of inner calm and peace. In our hyperactive modern worlds with sleepless, supercharged cities it has never been harder to ‘switch off’, but doing so has the power to switch on one’s senses and awaken that innate connection to the natural world that resides in all of us. I am grateful to be here.
Later, the sun descends and a shadowy curtain creeps along the valley floor. There is a brief but brilliant display of purple hues while the sun sits behind the surrounding mountains, until inevitably it is swallowed by an invisible horizon and night, but not darkness, is upon us. Billions and billions of stars appear and illuminate the sky. It is spectacular and a sight we had been hoping to witness. We stare in awe at its beauty and immensity.
It is so cold inside the tent that by morning the water in my bottle is frozen solid. So, as one can imagine, the urge to pee at night is not a welcome sensation. It means braving the chill and sacrificing all that warmth in the sleeping bag! Though, some of the better prepared among us had devised a convenient way of dealing with this issue without ever having to leave the comfort of their sleeping bags…
In the morning, we are welcomed by perfect weather and we quickly strike camp and begin the arduous return journey. Step by step, in essential show shoes, we travel up and over small crests and into shallow depressions until eventually we start a long steep descent. Down, down, down we go, at pace and only checked by falling into an occasional snowy trapdoor and a wrestle to escape. Was Kosciuszko National Park trying to keep us here a little longer? We promised to return.
Thank you all for a memorable adventure.
Mt Solitary’s Magnetism Draws Us Back

It’s an arduous climb up Mt Solitary in the Blue Mountains but the views are well worth it. Here, the crew stands in silhouette after pitching tents on its peak just in time for a pinky-purple sundown.
The Blue Mountains is home to so many wonderful walks. One, which holds a special place in my heart, is the Mt Solitary Traverse. It really triggered my interest and passion for bushwalking in Australia, back in 2013. And I know that our crew feels the same way.

After descending for hours from the top of Mt Solitary in the Blue Mountains, we finally arrive at this peaceful spot. It is surrounded by prehistoric trees, both standing and prostrate, scattered river rocks cover the ground and sounds of flowing water fill the air as Kedumba river meanders by.
This year, we return to trek Mt Solitary. It is equally grand and spectacular and exhausting as the first time. We set out and descend the Golden Staircase towards the Federal Pass walking track. The air tastes fresh and clean; just one of the many rejuvenating characteristics of the region. A climb up the Ruined Castle makes for a peaceful pit stop before we soldier on and scramble up Koorowall Knife-edge towards the summit. We pause along the ridge and turn back to admire glorious views on a crystal clear day. The Ruined Castle is a mere mound on the ridge from this elevated perspective.
Lunch is a relaxing affair surrounded by Casuarina trees. Sunlight streams through gaps in the vegetation and provides a source of warmth during our rest.
We pass through Chinamans Gully and enjoy a moment of silence at a lookout with sweeping views. A calming quiet interspersed with occasional chirping birds and a whistling wind. An organic audio of sorts.
Good camping is possible at Chinamans Gully, particularly in wet weather as large overhanging caves afford protection from the elements. But, we push on in search of our campsite from 2 years earlier. It is the perfect spot with good shelter, stellar views and a central place for a warming fire.
Collect wood, raise tents, kindle the kindling and build a fire. As the sun fades away so does the temperature, reaching a low of just above freezing. Move away from the fire and feel the ferocity of the cold’s claws. We settle in, eat a hearty, hot dinner and sip whiskey in the good company of our 5-strong crew: Franky, Richie, Bos, Blitz and Ben.
Sleep comes so very easily.
Sunrise.
Backpacks re-packed (lighter now) we head off. We scramble, slide and switchback as we descend Mt Solitary into the valley below until we reach its nadir at Kedumba River. It’s a beautiful place to eat lunch and savour the final moments of tranquility in this natural setting before we tackle the arduous climb out of the bush and ultimately return to civilisation.

After descending Mt Solitary’s steep ridge line, we find ourselves deep in one of the Blue Mountains’ many valleys where the Kedumba river lazily twists and turns over rocks and between towering trees. Cold and refreshing it provides us with a valuable source of water with which to fill our water bottles.
Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: 55km over 2 Days in Budawang NP
Report by Daniel Bos and Tal Bergman
Photography by Daniel Bos, Rick Munitz and Seb Ruiz
We set off from Sydney, driving south towards the wilderness of Budawang National Park, and reach the trailhead of our ambitious expedition in the dark of night. Far from city lights, stars reveal themselves in all their luminosity, leaping out of the black canvas of outer space. It is an awesome sight that is too often forgotten when living in the city. With this natural backdrop, our crew, a mixed bag of greenhorns and semi-experienced bushwalkers, cocoon themselves in sleeping bags for a brief night’s shuteye. All sleep soundly, blissfully unaware of the challenging distances and arduous terrain that lie ahead over the next 48 hours … We would come to realise that converting our topographical map’s contours and dotted lines into reality would entail trailblazing through thick defiant bushland, deep valleys, flowing rivers and treacherous cliffs. But we would not have wanted it any other way.

The crew before setting out: Daniel Bos, Daniel Frank, Richie Doff, Seb Ruiz, Shaun Greenblo, Jason Shein, Josh Biggs, Lee Leibowitz, Tal Bergman and Rick Munitz
We rise at the crack of dawn, don backpacks and set off. Just a few steps in, bulky packs bear down and cause doubts … did Shaun really need to bring that gourmet Indian chicken curry for dinner, did Jason really need an espresso coffee plunger or did we really need to travel with four pro DSLRs among us!? Questions of weight and pack efficiency are quickly swept away by the flowing Wog Wog Creek, which demands that we unstrap gaiters and step out of freshly laced hiking boots to make it across dry. Except Lee, who, shoes and all, wades across unfazed by a splash of water, in the same determined manner that he would later bring to forming new trails in unchartered territory, under the navigational guidance of captain Tal and his first lieutenant Franky, of course. The rest of us are a lot more precious.
As the sun edges up further, it gives way to a morning of spectacular weather, showing off the Budawang region in all its elemental beauty. We make swift time travelling the picturesque countryside around Corang Peak and reach Corang Arch where we break for lunch, which tastes so much better than it ever could anywhere else. A plain sandwich or piece of fruit in this environment, after this level of exertion, is better than any meal at any award-winning restaurant in any city. Some of the crew explore the impressive arch-shaped rock formation that forces of erosion, probably some determined stream, managed to hollow out over an epic period of time. Others choose to conserve energy and sit back and relax; a wise decision in light of the significant distances and tumultuous weather that lie ahead.
Descending the rocky Corang Arch to the valley floor brings us to the junction point for our path home the next day. For now, we take the trail east towards the camping caves at the base of Mount Cole. Crossing the plateau presents another opportunity for our photographers to capture the lighthearted mood of the group surrounded by tall swaying grass. For a perspective of vastness, one of the photos show us as mere specks in this giant field in an endless landscape.
We push on, passing by Mt Bibbenluke and by this stage the compounding effects of distance and the burden of Tal’s pack begin to chip away at his energy levels but not his resolve. “Next time, I’ll be fitter” he promises himself. To add to his sense of fatigue, ominous clouds, claps of thunder and flashes of lightening stare us down from the horizon and within minutes are upon us. The storm invigorates some and unsettles others. The power of Mother Nature in all her glory. Waterproof clothing proves a reliable defence but in the Australian climate (unlike colder alpine regions) the breathability of Gortex (or similar) is always a double-edged sword as sweat builds up from within.
With only four kilometres to our intended destination, we reach an unexpected fork in the trail and neither left nor right provides any sign of being the correct way forward. It’s 50:50 odds. Leftwards we go but before long we are waist-deep in a tangle of plants with thorns as sharp and penetrating as the hawks’ talons that were hovering above earlier in the day. We backtrack and return to the fork and a couple of our crew scout out the area seeking a path. While we wait, comic relief as someone lets one rip, but the fumes are trapped by his waterproof coat and chimney their way up and out past his head, burning his eyes and providing immediate karma.
We follow the scouts in the right direction and time passes in relative quiet save for our footsteps plodding through muddy trails and the steady stream of rain ricocheting off synthetic jackets. At last we arrive at the foot of Mt Cole and after a short scramble enter its dry cavernous overhangs and organise camp. Despite the slightly sloping ground, our campsite is impressive and unique in that it is located directly behind a waterfall flowing off the top of Mt Cole. This cascading curtain provides an unlimited source of fresh water for drinking and cooking and its sound adds to the sense of tranquility of this setting. Soon enough, we are sitting around a warm fire, sipping whiskey and devouring hard-earned dinners, before realising that we, too, are being eaten for dinner by voracious leeches. We survey our bodies, some are unscathed but others and, one in particular, find leeches in some awkward crevices.
Some good old banter ensues around the fire until sleep finally summons with the crew retreating to tents, some sloping more than others.
* * * * * * *
A new dawn. Weary bodies congregate around the fire pit and stoke remnant embers back to life. Its warmth energises and its flickering flames mesmerise drowsy eyes, but we cannot delay departure if we are to cover 30 kilometres today. WTF? Just 30 kilometres after only 25 kilometres the day before. Aching bodies. Really!? HTFU. At this juncture, explanation of bushwalking distance is warranted. Thirty kilometres in this terrain with pack weights of about 20 kilograms is simply not equivalent to 30 kilometres elsewhere. Is it harder by a factor of two or more times? Yes, very possibly; but irrespective of the precise factor, it is undeniably tougher and requires a different type of fitness, even to its cousin of long-distance running. (Note: this does not apply to Shaun, who missed his calling as an Olympic athlete).
Before we strike camp with a ‘leave no trace’ philosophy, Seb assumes the role of medic and tends to those with injuries, in particular Jason’s swollen ankle, which looks like a genetically modified grapefruit. With all restored and packed, we bid our camping cave farewell, grateful for its sheltered embrace.
Today brings with it an appreciation of what is in store for the return leg, or at least part of it. But with ambition becoming the catchcry of this adventure, we are determined to live up to its calling, alas except for climbing nearby Mt Owen, much to Bos’s dismay! We retrace our slippery steps, beat the same peaks and troughs and pass through grassy plains, until we return to the base of Corang Arch. The morning showers have been replaced by blue skies and the group is in good spirits. We stop to study the maps and decide on an alternative route home, heading north to intersect Corang River and then west through an area devoid of markings and trails. We were about to become well-acquainted with ‘bush-bashing’ and have our navigational skills tested.
Just before embarking on this new segment, Franky recalls that he’s brought Anzac Day badges for everyone and despite being a day late, we hold a minute of silence for our national remembrance day. With badges pinned to our shirts we set off across the valley floor. Rolling hills surround us and the route forward is not clear, but before long we register that we are walking on fresh marshland formed by the overflowing Canowrie Creek. The narrow creek’s core cuts through the heart of the hills, drawing us deeper into the wilderness. From here, a semblance of a trail sporadically shows itself but then vanishes, permanently.
Navigation proves confusing as there are no obvious landmarks; no prominent peaks from which to triangulate position and travel alongside the river at all times is fraught with risk because of dangerous impassable terrain. And, unforgivably, we had forgotten a compass; we have an espresso coffee plunger, a solar powered coffee grinder and beans that have been squeezed from the alimentary canal of a South American Jacu Bird, but no bloody compass! Did we refer to some of us as semi-experienced bushwalkers? I think not. This is a rookie error that only one of us had a right to make, namely Josh, since this is his first time out bush. And while he would not have been out of line to have thought “what the fuck are these guys doing!?”, I think he was actually relishing the sudden heightened sense of adventure and the challenge of not having to spend another night out here.
Josh’s hypothetical thoughts aside, the scenery is strikingly beautiful – plants and shrubs exhibiting every shade of green scattered among grey and white boulders and the whole scene punctuated by skeletal trees scorched by recent wildfire. Depending on your perspective, we were either wandering about a real-life quintessential Australian oil painting or through an apocalyptic scene from the bible. I prefer the former, but for the sake of analogy, let us proceed with the biblical scenario of desolation, in which case Tal is Moses, our global positioning shepherd, who, with input from Franky and Lee’s bush-bashing bulldozing power, will lead his tribe to safety.
Meanwhile and back to the 21st century, Bos, Rick and Seb are staring down the viewfinders of their bulky cameras intent on capturing the day from a dizzying array of perspectives, made possible by heavy glassware swinging clumsily about their necks. Suddenly, the raging Corang River appears in one of their lenses in perfect rule-of-thirds composition. The plight of Tal’s people is completely lost on these three photographers, but the rest of the crew realise that the only way out from here is up the steep shark fins ridge we’d been avoiding up until now.
From this point onwards, the day and inevitably night continues in much the same way. We break trail and seek out a path of least resistance, often wading through thick head-high plants in this untouched countryside, returning to the river as the ultimate landmark and guide when it is safe to do so. Just before our final turn away from the river, we come across a section that is calm and inviting but frigid and only Lee, Richie and Shaun dare enter while the rest of us take the time to recover. We resume our hike, the sun sets and just as twilight is upon us we reconnect with the formed trail. Relief. There is still a long way to go before we reach Wog Wog, but navigation will be straightforward from here.
It is a day and weekend of backbreaking work but eternally rewarding on so many levels that only those who were there can truly understand. Thank you all.
Flashback: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … Bungeeeee
With a Costa Rica trip fast approaching it’s had me thinking back to San Jose… It is 2004 and my friends and I are in the early stages of a Central & South America adventure meandering south from Mexico all the way to Argentina. I could digress here and endlessly reminisce but I’ll spare myself the nostalgia and get back on point.
A couple of us had already tested our nerve at bungee in one of Mexico’s bustling cities, tethered to the bungee cord with not much more than beach towels wrapped around our ankles!
But San Jose’s bungee is different. The scene is surrounded by greenery, it is quiet, natural and tranquil — the perfect setting to launch yourself from an 85 metre bridge.
One by one, friends step up, resolve conflicting thoughts, find mental clarity, place faith in ropes and jump… free fall… bounce, free fall, bounce, free fall and gradually come to a standstill. The jump may be over quickly but a potent mix of adrenalin and endorphins flood the system, lasting for days.
I’m looking forward to returning to this beautiful little country. Wedged between the Caribbean and the Pacific, this nation squeezes so much in: an abundance of biodiversity, cloudy rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, sun, sea & surf… no wonder it’s known for la pura vida.
Flying High – Scenes from the Air
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Hovering over Bondi Beach
A few years ago I flew in a Hughes 500 helicopter around the north of Kauai (Hawaii) in order to capture aerial perspectives of the remote and rugged beauty of the Na Pali coastline. With no doors on the chopper, fresh air blows into the cockpit as the aircraft whizzes through the air and I get the distinct feeling that I am sitting in the abdomen of a giant mechanical insect. I’m consumed by the sights – defiant mountains scarred from battles lost to the patience and power of erosion. Abstract patterns, revealed from up high, are the genius of an artist with a palette of earthy reds, streaming blues and shades of green. The experience is, naturally, inspiring.
Fast-forward to late 2014 when I spontaneously act on a strong desire to see the coastal landscape of my own backyard – Sydney’s beaches – from up in the air. Again, I find myself in a door-less whirlybird looking down at nature’s mesmerising scenes but this time peppered with human activity; crowds of beach lovers – surfers and sunbathers. We fly and hover above some of Australia’s most famous beaches, Maroubra, Bronte, Tamarama and, of course, Bondi Beach.
Seatbelt loose, leaning out of the helicopter with camera in hand, compose, focus, click and repeat. Some of those photographs follow.
Mount Solitary Reunion Trek (Blue Mountains)
Introduction
28-29 June 2014
Just before first light, we load cars and make our way from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
Arrive.
The weather forecast is ominous with +70km/h winds, but the skies are clear and only a zephyr prevails… for now. Katoomba’s quintessential cafe, the Savoy, welcomes us in. Eat, caffeine-ate, debate – to go or not to go. The spirit of adventure saves the day and our twelve-man crew sets off: Jason, Daniel, Dinte, Jordan, Gavin, Jay, Shammy, Shaun, Silver, Haber, Caleb and Steve.
Mount Solitary beckons.
We twist and turn along Glenraphael Drive, catching glimpses of Solitary’s summit.
It’s protected by sheer, spectacular, sandstone walls rising from the depths of the valley floor. Distant cliff faces, wrinkled and scarred, tell tales of time.
Layer upon layer of sediment, deposited by rivers and floods, is compressed and hardened by the weight of the world to form a vast plateau. Millions of years pass by. Shallow seas subside and subterranean forces send rock strata upwards and outwards. Geological pressure, held captive for aeons, can be restrained no longer. The lower, harder rock sheets grimace and contort and bend and flex, destabilising the upper sandstone, which shudders and cracks and fractures and collapses. Earth is being moved and shaped by the architect’s hands of time. But it’s not all gradual and glacial: sporadic volcanic eruptions pepper the landscape with boulders and slabs of stone and magma squeezes through narrow cracks and fills empty spaces to glue and seal the jumble of mountainous rocks. Tableland once more. Time passes. Climate changes. Tectonic tensions tamed. Wind, rain and gravity begin to sculpt and carve forming gullies and valleys, leaving only the hardiest, proudest peaks behind. Eucalypts flourish. Their downward hanging leaves seep aromatic oils. It is picked up and carried by the breeze, dispersed and mixed with vapour and fine dust. Rays of light strike this atmosphere, shorter wavelengths scatter and blues separate from their spectral sisters. This is the hazy blue labyrinth. This is the Blue Mountains.
The Journey
The wind whistles tunes that taunt some and tantalise others as we check backpacks one last time. Let the journey begin.
We descend the Golden Staircase. We step down and out of city skins and feel a fresh state of mind engulf us. Harmony. We are disconnected yet infinitely more connected, to each other and to our surroundings. It is the ideal environment for a real reunion of good friends inspired by Jordan’s visit and actioned by Jason’s planning.

Photo by NSW National Parks showing Mount Solitary in the background and the undulating ridges – which include the Ruined Castle – heading towards it.