AAWT

On April 14 Kaitlin and I set out for a 660km walk through the Australian Alps. The few days leading up to this were so hectic (doing our food drops and making our way to the trail head) that we had not fully wrapped our heads around what we had taken on until we actually started the trek. Heaps of emotions ran through my head as we were walking our first few kilometres. Had we taken on to much? Will we get lost and not find our way out? Did we have enough skills to do a walk like this? These are all questions that were addressed throughout the next few days and led to a very simple, generalized answer. No. We had not taken on to much. We were two smart individuals with basic navigational skills, experience in the bush and and an urge to try something that would challenge us physically as well as mentally. Once the first couple of days were completed there came a new set of challenges that we would be faced with.

The weather turned and started to pour consistently from day 3 onwards. Physically our  bodies were already adapting and becoming stronger each day. Mentally, we were both struggling due to the weather and being overwhelmed by the many strenuous days ahead. I was slowly learning to keep a positive attitude and appreciate all the beauty presented in front of us.The mist covered surroundings with the dark grey clouds surrounded by the blue gum trees provided a very unique and amazing scenery. Kaitlin really started to struggle beginning on the fifth day and no matter what I said to boost her confidence there was no lifting her spirits. With that being said, despite her mood and tiredness, she pushed on each day and I have never seen such perseverance and determination before. She would actually be 50-100 metres in front of me pushing through whatever pain she had going on (a massive blister on her foot and a pulled back muscle). This started to provide inspiration for me to keep going as well. It was around the 8th day that the big decision had to be made, as Kaitlin brought up the idea of opting out. 

Once this conversation happened, many things started to go through my head. Do I continue alone? Am I a quitter and failed on this journey if I stop before the end? It was the toughest decision to make. I am usually quite adamant on finishing what I start without letting anything stop me along the way. Although, I haven't yet taken on anything this big. When Kaitlin decided she was opting out, I slept on it for a couple of nights. It was very emotional for me to finally come to the decision to opt out with her. Coming to Australia this time I found this walk and told myself I would do it before I left and now I will have only done 1/3 of it. I automatically started feeling demoralized - as if I failed. Through the couple of days toward the end of our shortened walk and a couple weeks following I had trouble wrapping my head around what had happened. But I came to terms with it and realized what a great experience it was and ended up learning a lot about myself and my amazing girlfriend. 

There are many factors involved in my decision to opt out. I didn't make the decision solely based on Kaitlin's choice. I slowly began to realize that without her I wouldn't have been able to begin the walk. The lengthy planning process of food drops, walking distances, water supplies along the track, etc. was a lot to handle and a bit stressful for me. Kaitlin always calmed me down and would take over the coordinating and explain to me how we would do the planning one step at a time and not get overwhelmed. The comfort and compassion we have shown to each other, whether it was on the trail while being lost in bush or sitting in our car planning  the walk has shown me the appreciation I have for Kaitlin's company and I am very grateful to have her by my side through all the good and bad times. I have also the learned the importance of patience and how there is no point in stressing over the parts of life that our out of our control. The parts that we can control, however, we should focus on and strive to do our best in, because when you look back, no matter how far you got, you will know you gave your best effort and should be happy with whatever the end result is. It's not always about getting to the end of the walk or reaching the summit - sometimes things happen and you may not get there. The most important part is putting yourself in the situation and attempting the endeavour. The walk wasn't completed this time around but there will definitely be a second attempt. Who knows what obstacles will come our way the next time around but we will be better equipped mentally and give it our all. The time and money we put into our planning was definitely worth it and I am very happy we took the initiative to go beyond our comfort zones and share such an amazing experience.

People and places

I have been in few different places and met many interesting  people over the past four months. I find that with every new place you go you are given an opportunity to present yourself in any way you want to the people you are about to meet. You are about to meet people who have no idea about your past. This is a very interesting concept to me because I have been in this situation many times and the person I end up becoming is who I really am. I am constantly finding out more about myself by interacting with others. I have many strengths and just as many weaknesses. I am not trying to be perfect but I am on the journey of becoming the best of "me" that I can be. It's not just something that happens over night. Actually, it's a continuous journey throughout all aspects that happens throuh all aspects of life that you encounter. New places and new people are becoming a more frequent concept and I am fully embracing it. I  making the most of every moment in every place I go with all the inspiring people I meet along the way.

What is travelling to you?

travelling has a variety of definition. Every person that has left and truly traveled comes up with their own meaning of the word. I believe to travel means immersing yourself in a culture and the place your in. Really feeling how th local people live and go about their daily lives. Travelling is not a vacation. Everyday you are trying new things and exploring in different places. You can go from sleeping in a bed in your mates place to a floor or bench in train station in a days time. That's what creates those expereinces which stick with you forever. So much is learned from each and every day. I find myself more excited to wake up each day as there are always new expereinces created by the activities I do or the people I am meeting along the way.
Throughout the last few weeks we have came down the coast to do the great ocean walk. Along the way sleeping in our tents every night mainly finding free spots to pitch our tent and then moving along again the following day. Before stopping at Melbourne we got to do a overnight hike(37km) in wilsons promontory and got to walk along some of the most beautiful secluded beaches I have seen! After that we got a days break then started the six day 100 km journey of the great ocean walk. We had a diverse group including an Australian, German and Italian. Great times were had along the way and friendships were strengthened but mainly each and every one of us got to achieve our own personal goals that were made from the start. The feeling of accomplishment at the end is
Indiscribable.
After a few days in Melbourne Kaitlin and I have managed to find ourselves in really cool town called torquay. We got work in Kathmandu store only 20 minutes away. Everything just seems to be working out great and we are already in the process of planning our next big adventure. Super stoked for what the next few months has in store :)

Adventures around blue mountains

Before New Years been roaming around the blue mountains checking out different areas. Firstly, I arrived at kanangra walls, deep blue mountains. It was absolutely beautiful there. The area was very secluded which added to the experience. I was trekking there for few days in some much tougher terrain then other areas of blue mountains I had been to. The trail was much less apparent and required some rather good navigating skills. I had a pretty scary snake encounter during my time there. One of the days I was trekking, fairly fatigued, and was about to put my trekking pole and foot down when I realized a black snak beneath me. I stepped over it and looked back at it as it was about 3 feet from me. I saw it look it at me and hiss then slugger away under a rock. Terrifying but awesome experience . I will be back in that region of blue mountains most definately. After that I went to blackheath and did an amazing overnight trek through the blue gum forest. These tree were massive and camping out there was a magical experience. I finished that on the 31, then Garett ( good frind from back home) came to visit for couple days. Had an amazing two days hanging out with Garett and Alyssa hearing all their crazy adventures over the last month and sharing some of mine. Time flew by and before I knew it they were on their way home. I am now hanging around waiting for my lovely girfriend to arrive unjust 6 days. A new and unforgettable experience is about to begin once she gets here.
Overall the last week of adventuring has taught me how we must not keep moving on so fast to to finish things. Take your time and don't forget to look back and acknowledge how far you have come. Be proud of all the good you have accomplished and look forward to all that is to come in the future :)