Good question. I’ve completed a few thru hikes and loved the feeling of independence, the forced self-reliance and sense of freedom. And… I really love the bush. I’m a Bidjara woman. Being on Bidjara Country sustains my life force. If I am away too long, my energy becomes really depleted and it impacts my health, well-being and perspective.
While being on Country is the ideal, I’ve found that going bush, regardless of which continent I’m on, helps me to flourish.
And truthfully? I need a break. I’m losing my perspective on the world and our leaders’ views on climate change and the environment and the inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees. The lack of support and official policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead their own lives through self-determination makes me feel sad and powerless. This is no way for a warrior woman to live so it was either head for the hills to re-energise or start a daily blog called ‘What sh*ts me today’.
Much better for everyone if I just go hiking. J
How long will it take?
Good question. I’m going to say it will take me four months, end to end. Why? Because that is exactly how long I have the ok to be off work!
On reading the blogs, it seems to take people between 3 1/2 to six months to hike the TA. There are also super tricky people who run the trail (yep… RUN. THE. TRAIL.) And from the information I’ve been able to find, it takes them around 53 – 77 days.
This is truly next level human beings, right?
Why walk solo?
Why not?
I am really ok with spending long periods of time alone and unpacking and exploring the fairly random things in my own head. And finding a hiking partner who can also take leave from their life responsibilities for four months is a big ask.
If I had waited for someone to come with me on my adventures, chances are I would still be waiting. Life passes by while we wait… for the right time, the right finances and the right partner.
Aboriginal people have a much shorter life expectancy than our fellow Australians.
My life clock is ticking.
I’m not waiting.
What are the rules?
Ha! I’m heading off for a wee bit of freedom and still I have rules!
1. LEAVE NO TRACE. This could not be more important to me. I am an Aboriginal woman. The thought of causing damage or being disrespectful to the Mother who sustains me is abhorrent. And bloody unpleasant for those who stumble across ‘the trace’ of other hikers. You know what I mean. Pack it out.
2. PICK UP THREE. Don’t be overwhelmed by rubbish or guilt for not picking up all of it. Pick up three pieces per day. If we all do this, it adds up to a much cleaner environment. I went on a short hike recently in my local area. I stopped on a ridge to ‘take in the view’ (catch my breath!) and I looked down to see a used condom and an old tea bag. Seriously folks. That was a bit of a long way for someone to walk to have a romp and a cuppa. If you are that committed to ahem, getting out in nature, commit to picking up after yourself, ya nongs, so that I don’t need to vomit when I follow rule 2.
3. SAY YES. As a classic introvert, I have to force myself to engage with other human beings. This rule means that I must say yes. Yes to stopping for a yarn. Yes to invitations. Yes to offers of help. Yes to opportunities. The only caveat is I can say no if the ‘opportunity’ is obviously stupid or dangerous. It is important to remember that ‘doing’ stupid and ‘looking’ stupid aren’t the same which is why I have some vague, tastes like rum, memories of being on stage with a band in Cuba, around 3.00am, smoking a huge cigar and playing the maracas.
4. HMOH/HYOH. Just, hike my own hike. And you? Hike yours. It’s all okay. No judgment. No contest.
5. GRATITUDE and RESPECT. Acknowledge and thank the Custodians of the land I am walking on and be mindful I am walking on the land of their grandmothers and grandfathers, and their grandmothers and grandfathers, back to when time began. Show respect by following rules 1 and 2.
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