Hiking

I know I haven't been here for a while. Not a great deal to write about. However, Today the team gathered at Cunninghams Gap to walk to Eagle Head Lookout. I tried to tell them that it was a 4.5 to 5 huour walk. Somehow everyone was to busy talking to understand. Unfortunately I had walked this track before with the SWAP team of hikers. I knew what we were in for except for the extra vegetation that had grown and fallen over the track. Plus, when I walked with the SWAPpers it was a dry track. Lessons were soon learned, when people started to get hungry and were not prepared for such a long trek. I had made sure I had fruit. I wanted to ensure plenty of water, we just didn't stop for when I requested on the way. Each person was surprised when I kept saying the same thing. "I have walked this before and it is not an hour and a half to the end and back" The greatest trouble I had was the information board. You need to be able to read it and establish the difference between the number of klm's to the destination, and the number of klm's for a circuit. Remembering you will need to walk back from the destination. Double it!!! Surprise... We had some very hungry and dehydrated people by the time we made it back to the bottom. The surprising thing is I noticed some of the people did not drink enough water on the track. They were the ones who were the most ill. Can't tell those who will not listen. One of the main things I found frustrating is the blind climbers who decided not to use a white cane of stick to assist locating rocks, roots and other obstacles. This would have made it so much smoother a walk. Vic and I would have flowed much easier as a team except for the continual interuption of stopping for the blind climber who were getting a running commentary on ever step. I wasn't the only one commenting on how frustrating it was to watch the teams using that method. I at one time suggested changing partners to give each person variety. Preparing for the possibility of anything walking Mount Kilimanjaro. You never know what will happen on the trip! That fell flat in my face, as objections were coming thick and fast from those who were worried. At the end of the day. We were out in the fresh air and we had an exprience outside of the box. I think some of these blind climbers hadn't actually walked in the bush. OK, I hadn't myself, until the day at Lemington National Park(10.5 klm s of extreme walking) I find it very unfortunate with my observations that we as a team could not walk that. With anything I do around walking safety is the key to anything. I have experience with walking in the bush with sighted guides. Some of the people who guided me through Lemington hadn't guided me before. The only advice I gave to them is to walk and let me know of any over hanging branches or any roots and other obstructions. One fellow I had to tell to keep quiet as he wouldn't shut up. Describing every rock, branch, hole and even the sticks on the track. Please keep in mind a couple of these people hadn't even guided me through tables at the networking function. At one time I was asked "stop and not move. Please place your stick down to your left Brian" Not a thing. I was on a cliff. I gave a very heart felt thank you to the team of SWAPpers who attended the breakfast the week after. I am off to bed. Remember, I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a fundraiser for the Prevent Blindness Foundation www.pbf.org.au You may have to knock of the .au(try it) My website is www.vipas.biz Signing out, Brian