Eat-Laugh-Walk. Repeat
Embracing Adventure at 64
As I hurtle towards my mid-60s, at what feels like frighteningly breakneck speed- I reckon it’s time to refill my 'cup of life' with a bit more curiosity and a whole lot more adventure! Last month marked my 64th trip around the sun, and I felt it deserved a celebration a little beyond a quiet dinner with friends. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love a ‘quiet dinner with friends’ but there have been a lot of changes in my life over the last year or so, and the number 64 just seemed to warrant a more notable acknowledgment and achievement- AND a damn good opportunity to look for a new adventure. Standing on top of Mt Kosciuszko seemed to fit the brief. Mt Kosciuszko, or its more appropriate Indigenous name Kunama Namadgi - meaning snow and mountain, is indeed one of the Seven Summits, albeit the lowest. It stands proudly at a mere 2,228 metres. No oxygen masks required for this baby Mountain! To put it in context, Mt Everest soars to an impressive 8,848 metres!! I’ve never actually visited our beautiful Highland Country in Summer and ‘scaling our highest peak’ is something I’ve always been keen to do. Also, if I’m honest - standing on top of a mountain seemed like a very fitting and symbolic gesture to bring in the New Year AND my 65th year on the planet. Start as you mean to go on as they say!!
I enlisted some old school pals who I knew would be up for the challenge, and the plan was set in motion. Now, I should add here that the word 'scaling' might be a slight exaggeration… but let’s face it, it sounds super impressive and VERY adventurous! By 'scaling,' I mean a Grade 3, (as described by the National Parks and Wildlife Service) more-than-reasonable walk, mostly on a very solid metal raised pathway that protects not only our aging knees but, more importantly, the fragile highland ecosystems. I do generally walk between 4-6kms a day (on my treadmill) and also a daily walk with my dog, so I figured I was reasonably up for a 13.5 km challenge, even if there is a bit of an incline and - my school buddies were too! And … it turns out we were!! We didn’t hurry, we just walked at a comfortable pace, soaking in the beauty and swapping walking mates and stories along the way. I’ve ridden the chairlift from Thredbo Village up to Eagles Nest in winter when the landscape is a sea of snow – but it is so different in summer. So beautiful. You can see all the mountain bike trails and the bikers hurtling down the mountainside (summer sport) and as you slowly and very steeply ascend, the air gets noticeably more crisp and you start to get a hint of the fabulously dramatic scenery that awaits. Can I just say, I knew the scenery was going to be beautiful – I’ve seen photos and who can ever forget the breathtaking moments in ‘Man from Snowy River’ but with all of that knowledge, I still wasn’t prepared for just how spectacular it is. It was a bit like seeing Uluru for the first time. You’re so familiar with the image but it just knocks the breath out of you when you actually experience it! Stark and dramatic with huge granite boulders juxtaposed with fragile wildflowers. Creeks, with the clearest water imaginable and if its even possible, the smell of a pristine and untouched landscape. Breathtaking.
Clear skies abound and the constantly changing colour of the water in the stunning Lake Cootapatamba seemed to appear out of nowhere. There were a few craggy peaks, but it became clear that Mt Kosciuszko itself looks more like a Mound than a Mount. Mt Townsend, just to the left, is only a fraction lower but has a steep, craggy peak that looks so much more like a ‘proper’ mountain. One you might even have to legitimately scale!! After a quick stop at the Rawson Pass loos - which have the dubious honour of being the highest loos in Australia – (And thank God they were there - old lady bladder and all ), you then begin the final stretch to the summit. Winding your way around the back of the mountain in what really is a relatively gentle incline, considering. The Summit does not disappoint though! It may look like a mound from below, but standing at the peak it definitely does not feel like a mound. It’s as though you’re on top of the world. It is absolutely panoramic, with hills and mountains stretching as far as the eyes can see, until they fade away into the mirage of the mountain mist. We shared the Summit with a hilarious group of English hikers, a lovely Icelandic couple and others of all ages … My advice – There are boulders aplenty so find your own and just sit for a moment and breathe in the beauty – if it doesn’t take your breath away first! A leisurely descent and a stop off at The Eagles Nest Café for an Afternoon Tea with a View was the perfect way to end the most very excellent day. Such a hugely fun weekend – Lots of eating, lots of laughing and lots of walking Three days of new stories, old stories, school stories and more—so much laughter filled the air.
A very excellent adventure indeed!!
Sidebar: I highly recommend a stopover at The National Gallery in Canberra to experience Lindy Lee's monumental sculpture, Ouroboros. Honestly, you don't just look at it; you really do experience it. Amazing!! This was my new adventure and I’m curious to know what new adventures are calling others … Let’s share our stories and share our wisdom with the world!
