After posting the last entry the true extent of the disaster throughout Victoria became evident. It quickly became clear that there is no way we could start our AAWT run as planned. Even if the trail was not directly affected we could not continue out of respect to those who have suffered casualties and respect for the emergency services. As it is, the parks we will pass through are closed. While we are disappointed there are far more serious issues at hand that puts it all into perspective.
Thankyou to Injinji and all those who have donated to Australian Wildlife Conservancy for your support to this point and rest assured that we will be patient and our chance to run the AAWT will come eventually. Meanwhile our thoughts are with those who have suffered loss and to all those who are putting their life on the line to fight these fires. A
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The running exploits of Mellum
Follow my progress on the Bibbulmun here
Injinji Alpine Ultra
While this blog is primarily about a team of us running the AAWT in the meantime we are out there running other long trails in preparation for when we can get back to the Alps.
From December 29th, 2009 we planned to run the Australian Alps Walking Track from Walhalla in eastern Victoria to the outskirts of Canberra, roughly 680km.
We were forced to stop in the rugged Barry Mountains, defeated by the post-fire regrowth obstructing large sections of the track.
In March 2011 I tried again, going it alone and unsupported using food drops. Bad weather and gear failure forced me out after 5 days and I walked out of the mountains very wet and defeated yet again.
We haven't given up on our plan to run the entire AAWT but meantime we will take on some other great trails across the country.
Injinji Socks
visit the injinji site
Undoubtedly the best running sock available, Injinji have supported our attempts at running the AAWT with gear and most importantly their magical toesocks.
Undoubtedly the best running sock available, Injinji have supported our attempts at running the AAWT with gear and most importantly their magical toesocks.
Athlete Profiles
The runners - Andy and Phil
Andy Hewat
Midpack, middle aged ultrarunner with a passion for mountain trails. The tougher and gnarlier the better. Strength: downhills. Weakness: uphills. Motto: have poles will travel. Have dreamt of running the AAWT since a Canadian friend told me about a continuous trail from Victoria to Canberra way back in 1988. Have finished 15 x 100 mile races including Hardrock, Western States, Great North Walk, Glasshouse and Coast to Kosciuszko. After two failed attempts at the track a lot more circumspect but no less keen to complete a full traverse. Moving a little slower these days after developing AF, now mostly under control after an ablation (see personal Blog for more detail).
Philip Murphy
42 year old design engineer who likes to run lots. Got in with the wrong crowd 11 years ago. Have since ran 9 marathons and 80 ultras including 14 trail 100 milers (Glasshouse, Great North Walk,Western States,Alpine, UTMB and Hardrock) and 4x150 milers (Coast to Kosciuszko) Despite a failed attempt last year am still dead keen to get back out there again. Looks like it might have to wait til Summer 2011-12 by which time hopefully Andy will have a much better knowledge of the trail.
The lure of this great trail is still very much alive...bring it!
The lure of this great trail is still very much alive...bring it!
4 comments:
tough luck guys but undoubtedly the correct decision. hope it all works out for you sooner rather than later
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your good wishes. We are both in the same boat on this one. We figured on Sunday, as the extent became clearer, that retirement back home was the only option. In hindsight it was a no brainer but at the time, after so much preparation, it was still a difficult moment to give it away. Hoping that an opportunity opens in 1-2 weeks time. I the meantime our best wishes to those directly involved in the fires, Karl
Definitely the right move, but total bummer for you guys. I look forward to vicariously travelling the AAWT in record time with the three (five) of you, in the not-too-distant future.
Stay positive,
Chris (sol)
Hi Andrew,
Yes, I thought the delay would be a serious problem for you guys with so many of you involved. It will come together for you in due course, but best you weren't out there at the time otherwise there would be a lot of worried people. I have the tarptent squall and am very pleased with it, but have used tarps around Sydney for the last 2 years without incident. I am really happy with the new one tested last night. It blew and rained off and on all night. Not a drop inside and no damage. The phone is a Sony Ericson Z750i running on Next G. The phone has a blue tick for rural use and various feedback pages indicated that remote reception was OK (as opposed to other blue tick phones that got some lousy feedback)and it did give me reception yesterday in areas that I wasn't expecting it. Downside is the lack of a querty keyboard so rather slow to blog.
Not happy with my lightweight wet weather gear - back to the drawing board on that issue
All the best with revision of plans
Karl
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