Day 105 – Mt Hobhouse
Final hike of this 19-day-straight stint! The weather held off pretty well again, making for a lovely, mostly forested climb up Mt Hobhouse. With more tapes than expected, the going… Read More »Day 105 – Mt Hobhouse
Progress
Day 104 – Wentworth Hills
Woke in the Cubbi to blue skies above Laughing Jack Lagoon. Such a beautiful way to start the day, before a 10km cycle (a new workout for the quads) along… Read More »Day 104 – Wentworth Hills
Day 103 – Mt Roland
Short and sharp! Had a lovely Good Friday evening with family friends in Devonport, before making a ‘zoomy’ up-and-down of Mt Roland. Sub-2.5h was achieved, however views and visible sky… Read More »Day 103 – Mt Roland
Day 102 – Black Bluff Range
Departure point from My Flats today – not for great fishing, but definitely a wild mountain! The well-formed PCT track steadily ascended via Paddys Lake to the more exposed plateau… Read More »Day 102 – Black Bluff Range
Day 101 – Mt Tor
Great to meet Damien and have the north-west local join me for a wander up Mt Tor! The weather played mostly kind as we transitioned from 4WD track to buttonbrass… Read More »Day 101 – Mt Tor
Days 99-100 – Cradle Group
Day 99: Big day. 30+km day. I met Margaux in the carpark, who was going to (but didn’t – smart) head up Cradle Mtn in the whiteout-weather. We cruised until… Read More »Days 99-100 – Cradle Group
Day 98 – Recondite Knob
I don’t have a whole lot to say about the walk to Recondite Knob. Honestly, it was fairly uneventful, but still offered time in the outdoors, which I will always… Read More »Day 98 – Recondite Knob
Day 97 – Mt Kate & Brewery Knob
Last night I met A&E, and gave them a lift to dinner because they were walking in the rain! Turns out they needed a backpack for the Overland Track, as… Read More »Day 97 – Mt Kate & Brewery Knob
Day 96 – St Valentines Peak & Mt Beecroft
Stocking up on groceries in Rosebery this morning for the next 10 days, then driving north, meant we got walking at midday. First stop, St Valentines Peak, in increasingly rainy… Read More »Day 96 – St Valentines Peak & Mt Beecroft
Day 95 – Mt Murchison & Mt Read
The delightful walking continued today, firstly climbing the short but steep Mt Murchison! Amazing views en-route and from the summit of nearby West Coast towns and landscapes, including my official… Read More »Day 95 – Mt Murchison & Mt Read
Day 94 – Tyndall Range
Was VERY excited to head up to the Tyndall Range today! I’ve heard good things previously, and boy did it deliver! Incredible cliff top views, alpine lakes were just spectacular… Read More »Day 94 – Tyndall Range
Day 93 – Mt Sedgwick
Blood warning! A wrong turn at the beginning of today’s off-track adventure led to a SERIOUS and prolonged scrub bash – DON’T GO THE WAY I WENT. Thankfully, I exited,… Read More »Day 93 – Mt Sedgwick
Day 92 – Mt Dundas
A later than ideal start resulted in another chance encounter with the Pandani crew and a Cubbi tour, before I drove up to start Mt Dundas. Weather was dreary, and… Read More »Day 92 – Mt Dundas
Day 91 – Mt Jukes
A short, quick one in the midst of a cloud! Mt Jukes wasn’t one to overly savour in terms of time, but it was actually a relatively pleasant walk, if… Read More »Day 91 – Mt Jukes
Day 90 – Mt Sorell
Today, I completed a big one! Mt Sorell – a mountain that has been on my radar for a long time, with things looking brighter now that it has been… Read More »Day 90 – Mt Sorell
Day 89 – Mt Owen
We have hit the (wild wild) West! Kicking things off, a sunny stroll up Mt Owen. I took Uncle Robert’s bike with me so I could ride it back down,… Read More »Day 89 – Mt Owen
Day 88 – Loddon Bluff
Waking up early to the upper reaches of Lake King William was a nice start to what I had envisaged would be a long day. Loddon Bluff’s reputation as a… Read More »Day 88 – Loddon Bluff
Day 87 – Mt King William I
Really good to be back walking again! Starting off a three-week stint around the West and North West with an easier one – Mt King William I. The idea is… Read More »Day 87 – Mt King William I
Day 86
And finally, the Cubbi is packed and ready to go! It’s been great having a full week in Hobart, seeing more people than I otherwise would have. However it’s put… Read More »Day 86
Day 85
This may seem like a mundane picture to most, but to me, it’s glorious. Getting Jeepy packed and ready to go for the next stint, I took pleasure in going… Read More »Day 85
Day 84
Not much refreshes the soul like hanging out and playing with one of my true beat mates. He’s the saddest little man every time I leave, but when I return,… Read More »Day 84
Day 83
Well it’s not regret… But GEE, I am sore! Feet, achilles, knees – they all hate me. I waddled down to the beach today to meet some good friends and… Read More »Day 83
Day 82
Today, tonight, and into the morning I’ll be completing 158 laps of the Queen’s Domain athletics track at Cancer Council Tasmania’s Relay for Life event. I’ll do the math for… Read More »Day 82
Day 81
So I’ve been super lucky to be able to stay at a friend’s house while my family undergoes the routine Covid-19 house-exclusion. Apparently I’m such a good new housemate, though,… Read More »Day 81
Day 80
Saw this little one chillin’ on the lawns, so I slowly went up and said hello. It was shy though, and dug it’s cute little face into the ground as… Read More »Day 80
Day 79
From chocolate last night, to a massive brekky this morning – my tummy is getting happier by the minute! It’s incredible, the amount of calories my body craves and can… Read More »Day 79
Days 77-78 – Wylds Group
Day 77: Well, 11 weeks in and we are HALFWAY! That’s right, Abels 79 & 80 complete, Wylds Craig & Mt Shakespeare! I’ve been very lucky to have Shelly join… Read More »Days 77-78 – Wylds Group
Day 76
Well ten straight days of hiking has me zonked! I’m stopping in Wayatinah for a rest day, before I head on the “halfway hike” with Shelly tomorrow! There’s a lovely… Read More »Day 76
Day 75 – Mt Ida
Today, two “surprise guests” – mates Lenni & Je Roen – joined Jan and I on what would be the skipper’s final boat-access adventure to an Abel! It was awesome… Read More »Day 75 – Mt Ida
Days 71-74 – Cuvier Valley
Day 71: Food restock complete, and some extra serves kindly donated by my Narcissus Hut crew – who also stitched me up by getting me to throw ‘water’ (tea-leaf-filled, it… Read More »Days 71-74 – Cuvier Valley
Days 66-70 – Du Cane Group
Day 66: Departed Narcissus Hut this morning on what would be tracked walking for the entire day! A huge change, but a nice one, and after enjoying a late afternoon… Read More »Days 66-70 – Du Cane Group
Day 65
Well it’s time to head to the Overland Track, for my first time, EVER! Tomorrow morning begins a minimum 9-day solo adventure, where I plan to summit every Abel in… Read More »Day 65
Day 64
Aside from the talented posing, this was a seriously down-to-earth night with best mate and “challenge manager” Jan! Having a few days off gives me a chance to indulge in… Read More »Day 64
Day 63
Doing a bit of a stocktake on gear, and decided it was time for a fresh pair of mitts. As is evident – the scrub is pretty ruthless on all… Read More »Day 63
Day 62
First of four rest days this time (yes, four, woohoo)! Here’s a pants-down comparison shot of my knees, with my right one hugely swollen after a painful last day on… Read More »Day 62
Days 54-61 – Eldon / Pyramid
Day 54: It’s a day that has been on our minds for a very long time, and now it has finally arrived! ‘Skipper’ Jan once again ventured north to champion… Read More »Days 54-61 – Eldon / Pyramid
Day 53
Arrived at Lake Burbury Camping Ground this evening with Jan and Rohan, ready to tackle the mighty Eldon Range tomorrow. For tonight though, we shall admire its sunlit ridge from… Read More »Day 53
Day 52
It’s time to stock up! And Uncle Toby’s Brekky Bakes were on clearance (Woolworths, why!?), so I bought the lot and am excited to continue hiking with my favourite lightweight and… Read More »Day 52
Day 51 – Snowy North
Today was a special day, because today we ‘raised the bat’ and celebrated a half-century, 50 Abels! Lovely taped forest walking morphed into the usual scrub bash, and then the… Read More »Day 51 – Snowy North
Day 50 – Abbotts / Marriotts
Unbelievable to have best mate TJ join me for one of the scrubbiest one-day walks there is! The ‘Mun’ is as stubborn as me, and we pushed our way through endless… Read More »Day 50 – Abbotts / Marriotts
Day 49 – The Thumbs
Well last night’s weather didn’t blow over nice and quickly like I was hoping, but up we woke and gear we donned to tackle The Thumbs, regardless! Quite an ominous… Read More »Day 49 – The Thumbs
Day 48 – Clear Hill
Another late start (but I’m finally catching up on sleep) and it was off to Clear Hill. The clear weather was dissipating, but the track was clear of scrub, and… Read More »Day 48 – Clear Hill
Day 47 – Mt Lord
The smile is back! Who knew that a short and steep afternoon hike would lift me back up towards the clouds (figuratively, as well as literally)? Mt Lord, after the… Read More »Day 47 – Mt Lord
Day 46
Lost. For. Words. You AMAZING people at home supporting the 158 Challenge have raised over $20,000 for Cancer Council Tasmania! Thank you, thank you, thank you! We’re not done yet… Read More »Day 46
Day 45
Well Mt Picton was on the cards for today, but sometimes things happen that are out of your control. All I can say is thank GOODNESS for Leon & Fran… Read More »Day 45
Day 44 – Snowy South / Nevada
Renewed by a 10-hour sleep, today was about enjoying the process and a (mostly) tracked route up Snowy South and Nevada Peak! A 1:30pm start was restarted at 3:00pm due… Read More »Day 44 – Snowy South / Nevada
Day 43 – Mt Weld
One Abel I didn’t have a heap of information about was this one, Mt Weld. Described as long, scrubby, forested and having plenty of cutting grass, I set out, and… Read More »Day 43 – Mt Weld
Day 42
Day 42 • I cannot express properly how grateful I am for this morning, and for the amazing Lindsay at Move Massage Fitness Lifestyle! Physically, I have started to experience… Read More »Day 42
Day 41
Back on the food train, chew chew! Awesome to check out Grandma & Pop’s new pad all furnished for the first time, where they whipped up their epic roast potatoes… Read More »Day 41
Day 40
Rehab, rehab, rehab! Previous breaks I’ve been super time-poor and neglecting my recovery, but this time I’m trying to get on top of it! Rollers, trigger point balls and resistance… Read More »Day 40
Days 33-39 – Denison / Curly
Day 33: En-route to Lake Gordon, we ran into Steph from The Hobart Magazine, and were told the 158 Challenge had hit the front cover! Cool! But we had to… Read More »Days 33-39 – Denison / Curly
Day 32 – Lake King William
Well today it was back to Lake King William, where ‘skipper’ Jan and I had completed a reconnaissance hike pre-challenge. This time though, extra companion Thorpey! The lake was beautiful… Read More »Day 32 – Lake King William
Day 31
“What effects does (sic) publicity have on wilderness?” A walker took some time to leave a message on my car, so I wanted to take some time to consider their… Read More »Day 31
Day 30
I’ve got the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)! Walking up a flight of stairs is actually very difficult, as my quads have decided to have an all-day sleep. The magic… Read More »Day 30
Day 29
Rest day number one is all about food! Consume as much as I can, and whatever I want – my favourite is a big eggs brekky. It’s always better when… Read More »Day 29
Days 25-28 – Frenchmans Group
Day 25: A track! Like, a good one! A nice contrast to the previous few days started through forests and plains, before making its way up to the hut at… Read More »Days 25-28 – Frenchmans Group
Days 22-24 – Gell / Cuvier
Day 22: A gradual track up to the summit of Mt Rufus led me to a lovely chat with Jessie, Lou, Nathalie, Teresa & Andrea, before beginning what would be… Read More »Days 22-24 – Gell / Cuvier
Day 21
Well! Do you remember those two lovely folks that gave me a lift back to my car from Cockle Creek? Turns out they are the friendly faces behind Bulk Nutrients, and… Read More »Day 21
Day 20
Rest day, washing day, gear organisation day, appreciation day. I’ve realised some things we really do take for granted in our lucky lives, and am starting to understand life’s real… Read More »Day 20
Days 15-19 – Southern Range
Day 15: After saying goodbye to Jeepy and the Cubbi, I set off initially with a plan for an out-and-back trip along the Southern Range. After a chat with some… Read More »Days 15-19 – Southern Range
Day 14 – Adamsons Peak
First Abel back into it, Adamsons Peak! Was able to smash out a good time after some recovery days, before heading to the bottom of our island state to start… Read More »Day 14 – Adamsons Peak
Day 13
Spent my second day off organising gear, washing clothes, and spending a little time enjoying the slow lane before I head south for more Abels! I made this Cancer Council… Read More »Day 13
Day 12
First day off in a while after being in the South West, and I return to find we have raised over $13,000 for Cancer Council Tasmania! Thank you to ALL the… Read More »Day 12
Day 11 – Mt Mueller
One more Abel in the South West before I return to Hobart. A nice walk through Styx Forest Reserve up to Mt Mueller, which offered more panoramas (but I must… Read More »Day 11 – Mt Mueller
Day 10 – Anne Group
No day off after the Arthurs, and straight to Mt Anne circuit for a 27km effort with “challenge manager” Jan! Phenomenal cloud action and then sun welcomed us, as we… Read More »Day 10 – Anne Group
Days 5-9 – Western Arthurs
Day 5: Began my first ever solo multi-day hike, on the famous Western Arthurs! Met (fast) Rosie and then Al & Is, who I camped with at beautiful and moody… Read More »Days 5-9 – Western Arthurs
Day 4 – Mt Wedge
Met my best mate Julian for a zip up Mt Wedge! Didn’t pour with rain as we had expected, so a really pleasant outing before driving to Huon Campground ready to… Read More »Day 4 – Mt Wedge
Day 3
Day off hiking, but plenty to do! Finished a bunch of things on the Cubbi (trailer) including the storage inside for all my gear, then stocked her ready to head… Read More »Day 3
Day 2 – Hartz Peak
After a big build-up and first day, I decided sleep was priority. A short Hartz Peak jog/walk gives me more time to rest and return to Hobart before a day… Read More »Day 2 – Hartz Peak
Day 1 – Wellington Range
Today was a big one to start! 25km to summit three Abels – Collins Bonnet, Mt Marian & Trestle Mtn. Thanks to everyone who came up the mountain this morning,… Read More »Day 1 – Wellington Range
1 Day to GO
Just one more sleep until the 158 Challenge kicks off! What are you doing tomorrow at 10am? Get up to the top of kunanyi / Mt Wellington! Enjoy the beautiful sights of… Read More »1 Day to GO
Carl
This man deserves all the gratitude in the world! He has helped me and been a sounding board throughout the preparation of the 158 Challenge, and his generosity will never be… Read More »Carl
Smitten Merino
Just incredible! Smitten Merino have gone above and beyond in their support for the 158 Challenge, sponsoring $2,000-worth of their Tasmanian merino clothing, which will keep me comfy, warm, and not quite as… Read More »Smitten Merino
Trailer (Part 3)
We get a sneak peak at the new trailer, which is all covered in logos from the sponsors and supporters of the 158 Challenge! Thanks Ronnie of Orbit Design for some… Read More »Trailer (Part 3)
Merry Christmas
Great to have my brothers back together, sporting some of the new clothing from Smitten Merino! Have a great day everybody, treat each other kindly, and be thankful for what… Read More »Merry Christmas
Mel & Peter
Thank you so much Mel & Todd (owners), Peter (manager) and the whole team at Strive Food for your knowledge, generosity, and arming me with 158 of your delicious and… Read More »Mel & Peter
Strive Food
The amazing Strive Food have generously sponsored 158 of their delicious and nutritious dried meals for the 158 Challenge! Thank you Mel, Todd, Peter and the team for keeping my… Read More »Strive Food
Trailer (Part 2)
We put the paint on the trailer, talk about axle-less suspension, and give a glimpse into the high-efficiency machine that is the Xanderware workshop! Thanks Rob, Jenny & all the… Read More »Trailer (Part 2)
Advice from Bill & Nigel
With 4 weeks to go until the launch of the 158 Challenge on 4th January, it was a pleasure to catch up with legends Bill Wilkinson and Nigel Richardson for… Read More »Advice from Bill & Nigel
Trailer (Part 1)
An introduction to the camper trailer that I’m building, which will support me with a kitchen, bed & storage throughout the 158 days of the 158 Challenge! Thanks to Xanderware, Trailparts Australia… Read More »Trailer (Part 1)
$2,000 Raised
Things are getting hectic with less than 6 weeks to go until the 158 Challenge kicks off on January 4th, 2022! Thank you to all donors since the last video… Read More »$2,000 Raised
CCT Interview
Chatted with Penny Egan (CEO) and Sarah de Jonge (Cancer Support Director) of Cancer Council Tasmania! Have a watch to find out how your donations help the amazing work they do… Read More »CCT Interview
More Info
100 days until the launch of the 158 Challenge, and planning is well and truly underway! Shoutouts to my sponsors and thanks to all who have donated so far –… Read More »More Info
Introduction
Today, begins the lead up to the 158 Challenge! Please have a watch of the video to learn a little bit about my official recognition as a community fundraiser for… Read More »Introduction