hell fire pass is not just a name

yesterday we completed the section from syd duncan park, down hell fire pass to beliss rd and back (again about 18km). when we got there at SD park it was misty and the view was hidden but suddenly cleared to see beautiful views of hinze dam and in the distance the gold coast. the weather kept changing from overcast, to misty rain to full on sunshine and back again.

we walked about 4km past some houses (i have a photo of a truly ugly house - of couse beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and then down a steep road called hell fire pass at the end is a fire trail which was steep, rocky and muddy, we followed the directions on the map and came to a very overgrown long grass section and as a group we decided this couldnt be it so went back up to check out other options BUT yes we were on the right track and so down we went again through the long grass, a few girly screams about spiders in our way but made it through.

all of us (brad, majella and myself) stopped for a comfort break on the track and about 60secs after i finished these two guys came round the corner, it was lucky for them they didnt come any earlier!!! they have been doing it tough with blisters and doing massive training (makes me nervous that we wont be ready in time), we walked with them til the end and met some mountain bikers, stopped for a break and then headed back.

the trip back up was long and for quite tough, i started to feel weak and slightly lightheaded (my heartrate was between 160-170 for over an hour) ate some lollies and rested to get my heartrate under control, then felt better to keep going.

the feet were alittle better with some changes to my orthotics but a few blisters were part of the experience, we keept learning each time we walk what to do or bring with us.

we then had lunch at SD park with fabulous views though abit windy (another team turned up to check out the location as it is a major checkpoint)

on the whole it was a good day (about 6hrs all up) but quite tiring, i think we all slept well last night!!

next saturday going to do the mt cootha tracks closer to home

Mt Fairweather b***h of a mountain

well!!! yesterday brad, majella and myself (alan had the flu) went from Mt Nimmel Lodge to Pollys kitchen cafe (18km) doesnt sound much but there was two mothers of mountains to get over.

the first was just an introduction with a long ascent but i thought yeah okay i can do this, this we stopped at about 9km for a break and headed through long grass to the base of mt fairweather. it was wet, muddy, slippery, clay track straight up with lots of mozzies!!! it made me think of the real kokoda track, but made it to the top with a long 4km walk on the ridge and then down hill on bitumen road to pollys, my feet were killing me (annoying me as i am trying everything to improve them) so the only thing i could do was jog the last 3km!! poor brad had tummy pain (total fibre diet didnt help) and majella was busting, so the last few km's we just went silent and got to the end.

lunch was lovely and met a great team (team sie) who looked very fit (they also walked back!!!). pulled up really well today, legs feel fresh but feet still tender, going to go to the podiatrist on thursday to see if i can get some cortinsone injections into the metatasal joint, this is what will stop me finishing if i cant sort it out.

next weekend we are doing syd duncan park down hellfire pass (its called that for a reason) and hopefully walk back about 24km, wish us luck

daisy hill reserve

last weekend (brad and I) went and did 15km at Daisy hill reserve, it was okay, not very challenging if hiking, alot of runners and mountain bikers, dont think we will do it again, but it was a nice day out. on the sunday i did a walk with the BBW to tamborine mountain (palm grove) it was beautiful, again another 15km but slow so next weekend is a real challenge (on the KC track)

tooheys forest

went for a walk with guys up tooheys forest, getting a bit easier, even got to run up most of the steps, hopefully we can go hiking this weekend, we had to cancel last sunday, very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but there was torrential rain.

mt isa trip

i had a great time in the ISA for two weeks, went up to lawn hill and kayaked through the gorge and then decided to walk back.

it was the walk from hell, we got lost and had to do some cliff climbing to get out, then ran out of water, took twice as long to get back, and it must have been at least 50 deg in the sun.

arrived back and had to beg the ranger for some water, i'm sure he thought "stupid tourists", but the views were amazing.

tomorrow the team 'walk the line" is going for a big walk (from mt nimmel to pollys kitchen) about 20km, hope its not raining and my feet with the new orthotics hold out.

pictures and more news to come, cant believe it now it is a reality, 5mths to go, the time for sacrifice has started!!!!