The moments that take your breath away

"Life isn't measured in the breaths you take, but in the moments that take your breath away."

Inman Valley to Myponga
Southern Guidebook, Maps 2.3-2.4

That was a quote I read this week, which suited today's walk. I don't know why I didn't expect much, but this walk was quite impressive. The views from Sugarloaf Hill were breathtaking - at first literally as I climbed up the hill, then I looked up to notice this!


View from Sugarloaf Hill

Myponga Conservation Park was equally cool to walk through. I had left my car near Myponga, and rode my bike back to Inman Valley. I really good ride too, flat-steep-undulating-downhill. Got some amazing speeds coming back down.



View photos as full screen slideshow



Stats:

• Distance: 12km + 4km
  
• Start time: 9.27am
  
• End time: 1.13pm
  
• Moving duration: 2h 38m
  
• Stationary duration: 1h 0m
  
• Moving average: 4.6km/h
  
• Overall average: 3.3km/h
  
• Max speed: 13.4km/h
  

"At least I would die happy"

So said Kate as we discussed the way our heavy packs increased our chances of falling down the steep sides of the trail through Deep Creek. She was carrying all the snacks, including the lollies and chocolate, so, in her words, at least she would die happy if she fell.

Hiking 4 days along the Heysen Trail on the South Coast

I have hiked almost all this section before except a short 2km section I needed to do as a catch-up. Read the full blog entry on my Training Camp blog.

Quorn to Dutchman's Stern

Meh... I was pretty sore from training for the Trailblazer the previous day.

I'll catch up this weekend walk next year.

Woolshed Flat to Quorn

Meh... I missed it, I was training for the Trailblazer.

Inman Valley to Myponga

I was too tired when the alarm went off... I hadn't slept on the plane the previous night... I wanted to go hiking to catch up with people and see some of Australian countryside, but alas, I missed it (but my 3 weeks in Thailand was very good). Will have to do it as a catch up next year...

Curnows Hut to Georgetown

Missed this walk, although I heard it was a really good walk weekend. Everyone from End-to-End 2 stayed in the Gladstone Gaol and shared a bbq meal on Saturday night.

Bundaleer Reservoir to Curnows Hut

I was in Thailand...

Tapanappa to Balquhidder

So well before my alarm went off at 5.50am Sunday morning I had decided not to go. Yes, it's true, perhaps I shouldn't have drank what I did the night before, but those effects were long gone. I was sick. Last night having a shower before going out, I felt the first signs of my body fighting an infection. Mmm. Yay. Not. But it would be the first time I have been sick this year, and for quite some months before that too. So when I woke, or kept waking, hot, cold, too hot etc, muscles aching and my throat sore, I dreamt I was walking and it was all good. But then I would awake, cold, sore. Recalling that I am actually doing these Heysen walks for fun, I decided not to go. I could imagine walking today when I was really sore and had a thumping headache. I didn't want to take that risk. So I slept another 5 hours. With the help of that 5am nurofen, my headache was largely gone, and I felt quite good, the muscle soreness and throat had subsided somewhat. So then I regretted not going! But now, here, writing this at 1pm on Sunday arvo, I am feeling quite sore and tired just doing this. True, I'm not that sick at all, and the alcohol wouldn't have helped, or the 5am, always a hard time to try to work out if you feel alright to walk that day.

Old Burra Rd to Worlds End

Alas, my knee was too sore & stiff to walk. Have to catch the 15km up sometime. A short walk, about 4-5 hours. Simon was generous enough to loan me his car, so I went into to Burra. But I couldn't really walk too well... so I just drove around a little. My imagination soon got the better of me, and I set myself and assignment to take 5 photos that typified Burra. That was hard, I took 7. I took some photos back at Burra Gorge of things around, my knee had improved a little so I could actually walk by then. Rest is an amazing thing.