500 metres, about 20 min

One lesson from this weekend's hike is that Google maps cannot be described as accurate! The purpose of the trip was to test our gear, and find out what we will and won't use over four days hiking and camping in Peru.

Just packing for the trip was an experience, with jade and I unpacking and repacking her bag the night before. Debra cut a bunch of stuff from her pack to save weight, and I didn't but would grow to wish I did!

Our adventure began at 5am Saturday, among wild weather warnings. We drove through the dark and thick fog to Govetts Leap, and a spectacular sunrise. With excitement and energy we gingerly began our walk, as the frost was still on the ground. We wound our way through Australia's Grand Canyon, which is a gorgeous green, mossy canyon.

Not long after this we began using the trusty Google maps to find our lunch spot- Junction rock. For around 2 hrs, it was just around the corner (20 minutes to be precise). Finally, exhausted by the demands of the "walk," we stopped where we stood for lunch.

Junction Rock was over an hour deeper into the forest, and we faced a serious decision at that point. Do we continue another "500 metres, about 20 min" to where we planned to camp? Or do we face the gruelling 1300 step climb out of the forest to our cars (which at that point may have taken hours).

Everybody was tired, particularly dad who had carried two packs for the past 5km. We decided to push on.

For the record, Acacia Flat is 4km from Junction rock. Chris carried two packs for this section. We made to the campground only about an hour late, but physically, emotionally, and mentally spent!

Nothing left to do but pitch a tent, change, and crack open the wine. This we did with great relish, and enjoyed a crackling fire in our wet weather gear, with the lightest rain sprinkling overhead.

Day two, we changed our plans to tackle the climb out first, rather than 8km in. This club was spectacular and intense, with all of us scrambling on our hands and knees to get up. To our right were sheer sandstone cliffs, to our left, steep and lush mountainside.

The fog got thicker as we got higher, so there wasn't much of a view, but finally after 2hrs of steep and technical climbing, we made the top! It was a fantastic achievement, simply because of the level of difficulty.

Everyone is already sore, but I have a feeling we will all be sorer tomorrow! Well done guys!

500 metres, about 20 min

One lesson from this weekend's hike is that Google maps cannot be described as accurate! The purpose of the trip was to test our gear, and find out what we will and won't use over four days hiking and camping in Peru.

Just packing for the trip was an experience, with jade and I unpacking and repacking her bag the night before. Debra cut a bunch of stuff from her pack to save weight, and I didn't but would grow to wish I did!

Our adventure began at 5am Saturday, among wild weather warnings. We drove through the dark and thick fog to Govetts Leap, and a spectacular sunrise. With excitement and energy we gingerly began our walk, as the frost was still on the ground. We wound our way through Australia's Grand Canyon, which is a gorgeous green, mossy canyon.

Not long after this we began using the trusty Google maps to find our lunch spot- Junction rock. For around 2 hrs, it was just around the corner (20 minutes to be precise). Finally, exhausted by the demands of the "walk," we stopped where we stood for lunch.

Junction Rock was over an hour deeper into the forest, and we faced a serious decision at that point. Do we continue another "500 metres, about 20 min" to where we planned to camp? Or do we face the gruelling 1300 step climb out of the forest to our cars (which at that point may have taken hours).

Everybody was tired, particularly dad who had carried two packs for the past 5km. We decided to push on.

For the record, Acacia Flat is 4km from Junction rock. Chris carried two packs for this section. We made to the campground only about an hour late, but physically, emotionally, and mentally spent!

Nothing left to do but pitch a tent, change, and crack open the wine. This we did with great relish, and enjoyed a crackling fire in our wet weather gear, with the lightest rain sprinkling overhead.

Day two, we changed our plans to tackle the climb out first, rather than 8km in. This club was spectacular and intense, with all of us scrambling on our hands and knees to get up. To our right were sheer sandstone cliffs, to our left, steep and lush mountainside.

The fog got thicker as we got higher, so there wasn't much of a view, but finally after 2hrs of steep and technical climbing, we made the top! It was a fantastic achievement, simply because of the level of difficulty.

Everyone is already sore, but I have a feeling we will all be sorer tomorrow! Well done guys!

More Pics Of Our Recent Adventures

Effects of Altitude

We have done three sessions in the Altitude Training facility now, and are beginning to see results. Deb did a double this week, due to coming up "high risk" in the assessment, and Sandra is still super-genes. My levels are recovering really well too. I was pretty impressed today to see the difference in a short time. In addition to the altitude training, we are all sore and sorry from doing the "Home Hiking Workout" (join in! the workout is posted at: intoyousfs.blogspot.com.au). We are building up to 100 reps each side with 15kg on our backs. We are also running x1 weekly, and doing a long, weighted walk.

One week until our big Blue Gum Forest hike! It is not too far distance-wise, but the several hundred stairs to get back out through Bridal Veil Falls will be a test!

Please support us at www.everydayhero.com.au - Team IntoYou! We are raising money for Diabetes Australia Research. This is not a random charity. This hike was the dream of a client of mine, who went blind from Diabetes, and Debra was diagnosed with Type 1 in adulthood. We want to support these people in their best chance at a normal and healthy life. Diabetes is not just a disease for people with healthy lifestyles, it is genetic, and rotten luck as well. So chip in your bit, for our modest little goal, and we will hike our asses off (hopefully literally) to make you proud!