Next Phase In Fitness & Life

Over 60 and living my best life

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Lamington National Park 20k Walk

September 5, 2012 By nextphaseinfitness 6 Comments

On the last day of our trip to the Gold Coast I went with my friends Glynn and Dorothy to Lamington National Park  for an all day hike. The hike was led by Dorothy, a well seasoned bushwalker and local to the area.

With about 2 and a half ours drive to where we would start our walk, we set off nice and early. As usual the drive up the mountain made my stomach feel quite queasy but a few minutes in the fresh air had me feeling normal again and raring to go. That was until Dorothy brought out the spray can of leech deterrent. Leeches? I hadn’t thought of them. Ticks? Seems I should have thought of those little creatures too. Suddenly I was feeling quite vulnerable in my short sleeve top and short pants. Couldn’t do anything about the short pants, but I had a light long sleeved jacket that I threw on and it stayed on all day.

The walk we were to do was the Tooloona Creek Circuit.  Dorothy had mentioned that we would see beautiful waterfalls and would cross the creek, I think it was 7 times. It hadn’t occurred to me that to cross the creek, we would have to walk over wet rocks. Until we reached the creek. I am terrified of wet rocks, as my first knee injury, and the one that really wrecked me knee, when age 13, was done when I slipped on wet rocks. Ever since then, I have made it my business to stay away from them.

Until now!  Of course Glynn and Dorothy were not at all fazed by the wet rocks. Before the first crossing we decided to take a quick breather. I think the idea was to take in the beautiful scenery. But all I could do was focus on those wet rocks and how the hell I was going to get over them with my wonky knees. Also it occurred to me that the surroundings could have been from a scene in Deliverance, which didn’t make me feel any better.

My first reaction was to turn back, but I knew I couldn’t let the girls down. I was so sure that I’d end up in the water, but decided to give it a go anyway.  Dorothy went over the rocks like a mountain goat, with Glynn close behind. Those two girls were fantastic with the encouragement and help they gave me. Even though I’m sure they were thinking how hopeless I was, they made me feel that I could do it.

And do it we did. We crossed that creek, and those wet rocks, again, and again, again. I think there were 7 crossings. But each time, all I could thinkabout, after crossing, was how worth it a bit of fear was just to see the many beautiful waterfalls.

The first five hours of the walk were spent gradually climbing up, and up, and up. We reached the top and the view was spectacular. Well worth conquering the wet rock fear to see it. After a sit down, and a bite to eat we commenced the two hour walk down to where we started.

This was a wonderful walk, with spectacular waterfalls and amazing green plant life.

Huge thanks to Dorothy for planning the walk and being our guide. Also thanks to my mate Glynn for being a fabulous walking buddy. Both girls were amazing and never gave up on me or let me give into my fears.

Wet rocks don’t sound like much, but they are a huge fear for me and I felt amazing and so proud of myself for not giving in to my fear as was my first thought.

I did it! We did it! And I will never forget it.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: bushwalking, Lamington National Park, Tooloona Creek Circuit

Comments

  1. The Landy says

    September 5, 2012 at 2:58 am

    Its a great walk, have you done the border track…

    Reply
    • Jennifer Jones says

      September 5, 2012 at 3:06 am

      This is the first time I’ve been in the area, so no, haven’t done the Border Track, but would love to get back there one day.

      Reply
  2. Di Stewar says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:48 am

    Congrats Jen, it must of been an amazing walk, well done to the three of u

    Reply
    • Jennifer Jones says

      September 5, 2012 at 10:54 am

      Thanks Di. We had a fantastic, amazing walk. Hopefully will get back there one day.

      Reply
  3. Glynn Riseley says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    Jen what a great story you tell and never once thought that you were hopeless you were very brave in facing your fear of the wet rock, now to plan the next one!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Jones says

      September 5, 2012 at 9:29 pm

      Busy making plans for next one Glynn. Looking forward to it

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Jennifer Jones Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to My Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,172 other subscribers

Categories

Archives

Kiva - loans that change lives
Australian Women Bloggers Directory by Blog Chicks

Tags

12wbt 150 Walks In Victoria April A-Z Challenge Axedale bendigo bushwalking Camino Camino de Santiago Central Victoria challenge Christmas Coastrek CoastrekMelbourne cycling exercise Fernwood Fitness Fitness For Seniors fitover60 fit over 60 foxy Friday photos goals gym Health healthy eating hiking history I quit Sugar life Maxine's Challenge Melbourne's Best Bush Bay & City Walks Melbourne Coastrek 2017 Michelle Bridges Next Phase In Fitness nutrition O'Keefe Rail Trail postaday running Spain strength training sugar free Victoria walking weight training

Connect with me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • About Camino de Santiago

Copyright © 2021 Next Phase In Fitness · Contact

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.