Day 20. Mitchell is behind these mountains

We are on solo adventures once again. I stuck near town as I planned on exploring the hills close by. Today I ventured into the eastern hills above me. 

I enjoyed the included breakfast at the lodge. Two coffees to start the day today. I ventured to the supermarket and purchased a bread roll for my lunch. I still wasn’t sure what path I would take. 

I ventured up about 4km along a trail marked on AllTrails as a path to get to the top, then joining back up with a chairlift. Sadly, I encountered a roach blockage which was fairly clear not to cross. They were putting in a new sewage system. Unfortunately this was the only path to the top, but I was already on the same height as the chairlift I intended to later meet up with. 

Image 1. My path was closed. About 15 work cars just back behind me, and excavators ahead, I turned onto a different path.

I had an early lunch and considered my options. The AllTrails app has all sorts of trails that you can follow. It is just a bit tricky to use at times, but it really does have all the walking tracks through the hills. It is very impressive. 

Image 2. Lunch, an olive roll.

I ultimately decided to divert across to that chairlift. As I climbed this other hill I got overtaken by a work truck. He took about 30 minutes to catch up to me and then disappear behind another hill. It was a mighty slow truck and I was almost walking faster than him. My estimate was that his truck was about 1.2 Thomas power. As he overtook me he gave me a wave with a smile.

Image 3. The truck.

I joined a main tourist trail around the hills a bit. I got to see some cool mountain scenery. 

Image 4. Looking North-West, back towards town almost.
Image 5. Other side of the mountain range.
Image 6. Other side of mountain range.

I spoke to Mitchell while up here and we fantasised on how we would meet up with one another if he couldn’t drive. We calculated where each other were and Mitchell was behind these mountains on a neighbouring ridge. Not in visual sight. 

Image 7. Mitchell behind these mountains.

I walked back down the mountain without taking a chairlift and once I was back in town I found some gelato which I felt was fitting after 15km. 

Image 8. My path.

I am not sure what tomorrow holds. I think I’ll head with Mitchell to another walk but will choose an easier hike compared to his adventure in the hills.

Image 9. A Gelato Bar to end the day.

On the way home from gelato (and a pizza) we got caught in the rain.

Image 10. 9pm pizza in the rain.
A blog by Tom McAdam