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A small crew of hikers have helped raise $10,000 for the Cathy Freeman Foundation’s Indigenous Education Programs by completing an 800-topographical-kilometre trek along the Australian Alps Walking Track.
With just a little hiking experience, Kylie Evans (recently Top 10 on Australian Survivor), Dr Kerryn McTaggart (Parks Victoria), and Trevor Evans, left Walhalla, Victoria, commencing what would be an exhausting 35-day journey. Camilla Gould, Sam and Peter Evans, and Scott and Shane Bulfin also accompanied the main team at various stages along the mountain trail.
At the pace travelled, most of the trek left the hikers exhausted each night, with no intent but to eat, get warm and sleep.
The journey was full of hidden surprises and challenges such as several deadly snakes including a 2-metre Alpine Copperhead, gruelling snow-covered traverses and a shortage of drinking water. But the group said the exhilarating mountain-top climbs made it all worthwhile.
Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak, was one of the many mountains climbed, but it certainly was not the toughest. Thunder roared as the team paused high above Tharwa (near Canberra), to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their freedom, including Peter’s Grandfather, William Osmotherly who flew 50 missions, many as a rear gunner in the Lancaster bomber during WWII.
Several team members belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Trevor Evans, who said the trek was a “spiritual journey.”
“I didn’t think that I could finish it but felt the Lord’s strengthening hand many times,” remembers Trevor. He also commented on the “spiritual guidance experienced, both in preparation and during the adventure. This, alongside the fantastic opportunity to hike through the mountains with my adult children, was the true highlight for me.”
The group held church meetings in the wilderness each Sunday morning of the trek.
A very raw documentary on the trek has just been released, comprising short clips of the team’s journey recorded on a smart phone. Trevor said the documentary was created to increase awareness of the Indigenous Education Programs.
To view the documentary, ONE STEP AT A TIME - AAWT: DESPAIR, NOT DISASTER, visit https://youtu.be/3__d3tOA2Co