Mickey & Michelle
​Te Araroa,
​New Zealand 2020
  • About
  • Blog
  • Gigs
  • Music
  • Musical Hike NZ
    • Past Hikes
  • Media
  • Contact

28/12/2017

Australian Alps Walking Track 2017 - by Michelle

17 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Fresh faced on the first day!
Picture
Kosciuszko, Main Range
Now this was a biggy. I remember first finding out about this hike when I was 23. My dad took me on a 3 day hike up Mt Feathertop, finishing at Mt Hotham. I was absolutely blown away. As we walked higher and the trees started to thin out to beautiful alpine meadows I remember thinking ‘this is it, these are the places I want to know more about.’
​
The spur we took on our last day, from Dibbins hut to Hotham is part of the AAWT. I remember seeing the iconic yellow signs with the little walking legs in front of a picturesque mountain. Dad told me all about the 6 weeks hike, and how his friend Mick Harper had done it a number of times, and how Dad had walked a week of it with him.

The idea of being in the bush for 6 weeks seemed incomprehensible; I was both excited by the idea and scared. I distinctly remember thinking that I couldn’t do it, it was too long and I didn’t have the stamina or skills. I guess the idea was planted then and it stuck around. Jump to the end of 2016 and I’m going on a 1 week training hike in order to test how much food I eat, and generally just see how I go!
Picture
Mt Baw Baw and unexpected snow
For some background, the AAWT is a 650km hike of mountainous and often remote walking from Walhalla (VIC) to Tharwa (ACT) across the great diving range. I spent a year planning and preparing for it with my friend Chris. To my complete surprise and pleasure I managed to complete it on the 18th of December 2017 in 43 days! It was an epic challenge to say the least and touch and go in parts managing injuries. I had a surprise hiking partner change 2/3rds into the hike which found Mickey on his first overnighter, which just happened to be 212km!
Picture
Mt Howitt
Yes yes the hike changed me and all that, I just don't think that you can do something this out of your comfort zone and not have it affect you? I definitely came back wanting more. I have since decided that some of the more rewarding experiences come with being a little apprehensive and uncomfortable (physically and mentally). Couldn't recommend it enough. x
click for full gallery

Share

17 Comments
Details

    Author

    Mickey or Michelle, depending who has more to say on the subject :)

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017

    Categories

    All
    Australian Alps Walking Track
    Bone Health
    Hiking
    Huts & Huts!
    Larapinta
    Musical Hike - New Zealand
    NSW Hike
    NT Hike
    Osteoporosis Awareness
    Te Araroa Trail
    VIC Hike

    RSS Feed

Picture

LINKS

MICHAEL O'DONNELL MUSIC
MICHELLE DOYLE HARPIST
CONTACT US
  • About
  • Blog
  • Gigs
  • Music
  • Musical Hike NZ
    • Past Hikes
  • Media
  • Contact