When you’re hiking with a group of people for four days, you need to learn to deal with individuals no matter how frustrated you get. Four other Scouts and I went on a series of hikes in Jindabyne from the 29th of March to the 1st of April. In total we hiked around 31 kilometres in the dense bush, along winding roads and through thickened snow. Our tents were constantly soaking wet because of the annoyingly everpresent rain, and our bags seemed to mysteriously get heavier as time wore on. As usual we had to pack our own bags, pitch our own tents and prepare our own food, but I realise skills like these are becoming less known as technology gains prevalence.
Though conditions were tough, our group managed to make the most of it. Even when we were hiking barefoot through freezingcold running water. Even when a packet of oats exploded and expanded in my damp bag. Even when we were only halfway through a long walk and knew we still had an eternity left to go. At the end of it all, when we were able to sit down and relax, we realised it had been fun. We had seen the incredible views that tiny section of New South Wales had to offer, and had learned a lot about the area of Jindabyne as well. We had shared many good laughs, lots of pleasant meals, and countless moments of relief after reaching a milestone
While walking I was struck with a sudden thought. Australia is far from the barren desert a lot of the world believes it to be. We have deserts, beaches, forests, mountains and snow. The ecosystem is more diverse than you would expect, and it’s all waiting for you to discover it and see these wonders with your own eyes.
