2ReasonTrek: Flinders Training

As most of you would know Mt. Everest is kinda...err..big! If fact, it's the biggest! Even though we are not summiting (climbing to the VERY top) this gargantous, beast of a mountain, we still need to get a whole lot fitter than we are now. The need to get fitter has lead us to walking every moment we can up hills. Our first weekend of walking was a trip to the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

For anyone who's been to the Flinders Ranges in mid-late September, you probably know what the beautiful mountain ranges looks like. Picture beautiful blue skies, birds chirping, wild flowers as far as the eye can see, green mountains and bubbling cool creeks...

Now take all of that and stomp on it...that's what happened to our weekend, but it was the best weekend away this year!

Day ONE: Getting there.

We packed out little red Corolla with all our hiking gear, food and tents. The sun was shining and we were exciting to be getting away from the bustle of town. We started the drive at the crack of dawn, the sleepy sun slowly poking it's head above the horizon. It's about a 7-8 hours drive from our house to the Flinders and we couldn't help but notice that the closer we got, the darker it got. In fact by the time we were an hour ago we were driving at reduced speeds with the windscreen wipers getting a run for their money at full speed.

With our spirits slightly dampened we contemplated how in fact a tent would hold up in the weather considering our patch of ground was about half a foot of mud. After a coffee to clear the fog in our heads, we decided on hiring the cheapest solid floored tent/cabin we could. We were the only lonesome souls braving the camp grounds until night fall when one other winnebago, blaring 60s rock, pulled up.

Our little tent became our home for the next 3 days and we loved it. We had a pet cockroach (named Freddy) and a plethora of bird life. And bonus...we now had beds and a kettle! Hello luxury! We cooked our dinner up on our little trangia and crawled into our nice warm sleeping bags. For the first time in months we breathed the fresh air, and listened to...nothing...no cars, no computers, no phones... just the soothing rain, nothing bothered us and it was heaven!

Double checking our gear before we leave.

Our humble home for the weekend.

Day TWO: Mt. Ohlssen Bagge

Come morning we woke with the sun rise to a brisk frost. The mountains which surround us were still asleep under the cloud blankets. We had a quick brekkie, filled up our water bottles, tied our boots and headed out. We decided (due to weather) we would start with one of the medium trails...Mt Ohlssen Bagge. The walk was beautiful. As we walked the fog started to lift and so did the rain.

We met a friendly man who told us a little of his adventures over the years up and around the Flinders. He had been hiking them for 30 years and had done every hike there was to be done. After a little clambering up a few steep sections we soon found our peak. Mt. Ohlssen Bagge 923m. The site was spectacular as mist billowed in around every boulder and our arrival was perfectly timed. Within 5 minutes of arrived the the rain started up. We walked , now above the clouds (or at least it felt that way), back down the little mountain and returned to our little haven. It was lunch time and we were both feeling pretty peckish.

After a nice selection of homemade goodies we decided it was too wet to head out again but took to opportunity to kick back and relax. The rest of the afternoon saw us reading by dim light, drinking numerous cups of green tea and laughing and the car load of people who had pulled up down the road from us and persisted in making the worst jokes around (but they still made us laugh).

The beginning of Mt Ohlssen Bagge.

The mist begins rolling in.

Enjoying a cup of tea at the summit

The rain begins

The summit!

Summit celebration!

Day THREE: St. Mary's Peak

Day three saw SUNSHINE!!! Woop hoo. We decided with the lovely weather we should try the highest peak of the Flinders Ranges; St. Mary's Peak. We packed our packs and headed off along the mossy path. The hike started as a nice, slight, ascent but soon found us rock climbing. We reached what we though was the peak, only to find the actual peak was another 1.2 kms. The last 1.2 km seemed to take just as long as the first 9kms! Eventually we found the real peak and with that a whole lot of cold and winds which we thought might push us off the peak! We had reached 1,171m above sea level and felt pretty accomplished hehe. Lucky looked like she might freeze to death but still managed to smile for the camera.

After a quick cup of tea and a home made granola bar we started our way down. When we reached the section of the track which offered us the short or long way home we were feeling on top of the world. I think that's what led us to think taking the long way was a good idea. Turns out adding 12 kms to your trip actually adds time as well, who what have though, right? We walked until just before sunset...with enough walking time to cause at least a few blisters, but also enough time to make us feel we deserved a warm meal from the local pub. Hello giant bowl of wedges with sweet chilli! By now the temperature had dropped and we decided to call it a night.

The drive home was a ball of excitement as we both got really excited about Everest and started planning all of our future hiking trips. Our weekend, even though it was wet and cold, was filled with so much laughter and amazing memories. Our feet were sore but we felt fitter than when we left and it has inspired us to get outdoors every day since. Nothing beats the relaxation of fresh air, sunshine, birds and a breeze. Get outside and get some adventure into you! Trust us. It's worth it!