Travel Play Live Issue #4 by travelplaylivemagazine

Travel Play Live

AU $12.95

ISSUE #4 Winter 2016

The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventure Lifestyle Magazine

AU $12.95 ISSUE 4 ISSN 2206 - 4117

ADVENTURE

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EMPOWER

INSPIRE

DREAM

CHANGE

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Well what a year! As I sit here, Issue #4 is about to leave for the printers, and I can't quite believe it; that makes it a whole year of bringing you Travel Play Live Magazine.

Letter from the Editor. This issue will be distributed nationally, internationally and we also have a digital version available for all the beautiful nomadic wanderers out there with no fixed address. We’ve been reminiscing on how far we have come; from the early days of discovering the joy of stepping out of our comfort zone and tackling an adventure like the one pictured above, to the gut clenching ride that starting our own magazine brings. A massive thank you to everyone for all of the help and support you’ve given us to get this baby up and running. We want to say how exciting it has been to meet or speak with so many of you. You are some of the most inspiring women who are leading not only the women's adventure movement

across Australia, but affecting positive change in the lives of many across the globe. We have some 'exciting' new things in the works for Travel Play Live and can't wait to grow our network and meet many more of you in the year to come. If you haven't subscribed yet? Do! It's a beautiful and positive read, or if you know someone who would love the magazine please send them on over to our website – you can purchase copies from our online store and there will be a full list of retail stockists on the site too. Here is to many more years to come.

CONNECT WITH US

www.travelplaylive.com.au @travelplaylive FOUNDER + CHIEF EDITOR.

Amy Heague amy@travelplaylive.com.au FOUNDER + DIRECTOR OF ADVENTURE.

Kerryann Hayes kez@travelplaylive.com.au RELATIONSHIPS MANAGER.

Alice King alice@travelplaylive.com.au NEW COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVERTISING.

Kara Geyer kara@themediahut.com.au + 61 411 299 380 EDITOR & WRITER.

Lucy Stone CREATIVE.

Copyritght TPL Publishing PTY LTD 2015. No part of this publication may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

Two Minds Creative

means without prior written consent of the publishers. DISCLAIMER: A large portion of original material is created by TPL Publishing and its contributors, including text, fonts, photography, and art work - content used from public domain like social media sites we agree are not the property of TPL Publishing, and in all cases media permission has been sought via electronic or verbal agreement. The content and views expressed in this magazine by individuals and TPL Publishing are provided in good faith as information only. No guarantee is made of the accuracy of the information provided. We have done our best to credit all photographers. In some instances photos have been provided to us by those who appear editorially and we have their permission to use the images. We apologise if anything appears incorrectly. It will be a genuine mistake, let us know and we will ensure to mention it in the next issue.

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TPL PHOTOGRAPHY.

Ben Cirulis COVER IMAGE.

Ben Cirulis www.fotografija.com.au

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This Issues

CONTRIBUTORS. Head to our website to meet our growing list of contributors pioneering Australian Women's Adventure.

Caro Ryan

Leah Gilbert

Alice King

Jane Grover

Thuc Do

Kirsty Alexander

Hanny Allston

Lucy Stone

Kerith Duncanson

Lisa Murphy

Lauren Heyes

Caroline Packer

www.travelplaylive.com.au/contributors Would you like to write for Travel Play Live Magazine & our online Journal? Perhaps you have a story to share? We are looking to partner with writers and bloggers across a variety of adventure and travel disciplines. Maybe you are a brand looking to get your product or destination reviewed? Contact us with your details and a sample of your work (or wares) and we will get back to you if we feel there is a good fit. submissions@travelplaylive.com.au

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SUBSCRIBE &

JOIN THE BECOME A ADVENTURE PIONEERING ADVENTURESS

There is no telling what kind of misadventures you might get up to while trying to get your hands on future copies of Travel Play Live Magazine, so let us take the worry out of your adventure by offering you this yearly subscription deal! Subscribe and go in the draw to win some great prizes. Details on page 79.

just

$48 + P&H

SUBSCRIBE AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE For just $48 + P&H Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four beautifully inspiring, empowering and adventurous copies of our magazine delivered to your door full of great seasonal ideas to inspire you to travel, play, live!

Travel Play Live magazine

Head to our website www.travelplaylive.com.au/subscribe *International Options Available

www.travelplaylive.com.au

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c ontents 14

HOVE TO: FROM SOURCE TO SEA

SIZING UP THE SITUATION

BEAUTY OF THE BICYCLE

Hayley Talbot's Clarence River Journey

There is still one major hurdle thwarting our goals - our clothing

ELKA WHALAN The Journey beyond the Olympics

FROM CORPORATE LIFE TO THE CAMINO WAY

TRAVEL PLAY LOVE STORIES

WINTER FASHION

Three couples give new meaning to an ‘outdoor’ wedding

Everything you need to know to stay warm this season

ESCAPING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

LEARNING THE ART OF NAVIGATION

WHISPERS OF WINTER

Part One: Map reading

DISCOVER YOUR INNER EXPLORER WITH GEOCACHING

ARCTIC DREAMING

VOLUNTEERING AT THE BREMER CANYON

THE OVERLAND TRACK

A REFLECTION ON RIDING FOR RIGHTS No road is too long when driven by a passionate cause

The wild landscapes of Norway and Iceland

Studying the lives of Killer Whales in WA

79 TRAVEL CALENDAR For your next escape come with us.

Pedal Powered Australian Businesses

Discovering your truth

Women of all shapes, sizes, go on their adventurous way

Hanny's tips for winter training

Excerpt from Jane Grover’s new book

NOURISH

THE TRAVEL PLAY LIVE DIRECTORY

Delicious recipes from Jane Grover

For all your adventurous needs, social scene, events & more

READ MORE Head over to our website to for bonus content, competitions and previous articles www.travelplaylive.com.au/magazine-home and our regular online Journal www.travelplaylive.com.au/journal

STAY CONNECTED We love to hear from you, so be sure to tell us all about your travels and adventures. Contact us at hello@travelplaylive.com.au Share your photos with us on Instagram by using #travelplaylive for your chance to feature.

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anything was

She knew that

from here

possible

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{Hayley Talbot's Clarence River Journey}

Hove to: FROM SOURCE TO SEA

A young girl sits in a classroom, staring out at the river. The river gleams, twists, coursing past the boxed-in schools, the boxed-in minds. Trapped in her classroom, she sits, and stares, and pours all her isolation, all her resentment, into the river below her. Years later, the girl is Hayley Talbot, mother of two, and she is ready to meet the river again. STORY BY LUCY STONE

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rom the source to the sea: 32-year-old Hayley will hike to the source of the Clarence River, turn around, and kayak all 400km back to the sea. She will do this alone, unsupported, sourcing food from the land and water around her. Returning to the connection young Hayley felt to the river is a chance for her to return to vitality, to connect more deeply with herself, with nature, and her children. When asked why – why throw yourself at such a challenge not only totally alone, but something so unlike most people’s dreams – Hayley said it was her childhood connection that drew her back to the Clarence. “I found myself dreaming of beginnings, of sources and start points. I grew up at Yamba where the Clarence empties into the sea. Travelling to the source of that was looking to the river, and looking to the river meant looking to the bush and to the wild and the earth, the planet, life, the universe, and various other existential questions a mother woman of 30 arrives at.” The Clarence River is a great mass of living water, twisting its way through the far North Coast of New South Wales. Bearing the Grafton Bridge further inland, the river is full of temperamental floodwaters, born from the Great Dividing Range, endlessly working to separate Queensland and New South Wales, the mountains and the sea. At last it finishes its journey, meeting the Coral Sea, between the towns of Yamba and Iluka. This is where Hayley first met the river.

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It is a hungry water, drawing from more than twenty tributaries, with names as full of story as the Clarence: the Nymboida, the Orara, the Cataract, the Esk, the Timbarra, the Coldstream. The Clarence’s Aboriginal name is Breimba, or Berrinbah. It has history, and life. Hayley will work with this mass of water, befriend it, to find her own spiritual centre. She says it’s her fear that we have lost connection with nature that drives her to seek her own connection again. “I have a real paranoia that with the rise of technology we are evolving out of this spirituality and disappearing too far into the windowless prison of our minds,” she says. “We have a real problem with mental health – particularly youth suicide – here in the Clarence and I can’t help but feel that a majority of the social factors driving these feelings stem from how as a by-product of connecting online, we disconnect from nature and each other, inhabiting our minds whilst neglecting our souls.” Going back to the source, then, makes sense – not just physically but mentally. Young Hayley watched the river leave her trapped, while present Hayley will match the river strength for strength, seeking her own answers as she treads the banks and reaches for the beginning again. The journey is more than simply physical, but a deep personal challenge: “I suppose the metaphor for me on a personal level is the idea of journeying home, that inception of beginnings, end points that are start points, and becoming what we are.”

Adventures can be addictive: a form of adrenaline we don’t know so well when we hide from the outdoors and live in a world of comfort and predictability. But it doesn’t take much to find that hunger for more, for a different life. Hayley’s hunger for a larger life has seen her climb mountains in South Africa, hike the Ben Lomond trail in New Zealand, go swimming with sharks, and above all, hold to the water. “The feeling you get from standing on top of a mountain, diving with great whites, ocean kayaking, picking a point in the distance and navigating your way to it however you can just because, smiling at a sunrise dangling your legs over a cliff ... the feeling of life coursing through your veins … they are the ones that insatiably inspire me.”

With the rise of technology we are evolving out of this spirituality and disappearing too far into the windowless prison of our minds... We disconnect from nature and each other, inhabiting our minds whilst neglecting our souls.

At the source of the Clarence River is the confluence of the Boonoo Boonoo River and the Maryland River. The Aboriginal meaning for Boonoo Boonoo is ‘poor country with no animals to provide food’ – perhaps not so promising for someone aiming to survive soley off the land as she hikes inwards, but the source is Hayley’s goal, finding the centre not just of the river but of the importance of nature in clearing the mind and rehabilitating the self. “We need nature a lot more than it needs us – saturation of the senses in the elements is purely remedial and restorative, and I think our over-stimulated minds need to return to it more than ever.” The source is the beginning, while the journey back to the sea is another thing entirely. Hayley knows the challenges of stepping into nature alone, of casting off all the amenities and comforts of home. She remembers first time she went out on a solo adventure, finding her own food, as her toughest challenge. “Nature just struck me down so hard, it was like the bush totally hit re-set on me,” she says. The sugar crash, combined with the ‘civilisation crash’, triggered a cracking

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headache and an eighteen-hour sleep. She woke up a new person.

Coming from a maritime family, Hayley’s affinity with water is unsurprising, her life’s wisdom coming from the water more than the land. One phrase in particular could be her motto: hove to. The sailing term is a technique used to channel the power of a situation, to slow the forward progress of a vessel and to right its position so it doesn’t have to be actively steered. “Commonly used as a storm tactic in maritime navigation, the practical application in father-daughter conversations when Dad said ‘hove to’ was to ‘go with nature’.”

Going with nature is something Hayley wants to instill in her young sons – a powerful motivator for her Clarence River adventure. Personal conquest is one thing: being the right role model for her children is another. “My childhood was filthy, wild and full, and I want that love of freedom for my children. I think if I were to approach this expedition from the perspective of what I will be able to take away, I would find it impossible to leave my very young children. The question I genuinely turn over in my mind is what I will be able to give when I’ve completed it. To my children, to my community, to the environment.” As she kayaks away from the source, heading toward the wilder waters of the sea, and her own hometown of Yamba, Hayley’s affinity with the water will be put to the test, finding food and managing her own journey through waters rough and smooth. The years have changed her perspective, with the maritime girl longing for freedom from the schoolroom given the chance to test her fears, fulfil her potential, and lead the way for her children: “I’m a different woman now to the teenager that stared pensively at the river all those years ago, the river was the object of my boredom and isolation. Now I’m returning to it for the adventure of a lifetime – and it was under my nose all along.”

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SIZING UP The Situation

Courage. Determination. Persistence. Resilience. These are all elements that contribute to our ability to climb that mountain, compete in that race, or complete that adventure. They are size-less, shape-less, simmer inside all of us and lead us to engage our limitless potential. We clearly visualise ourselves at that summit or crossing that finish line, sensing what it will feel like to achieve our goal. However for many, there is still one major hurdle thwarting our goals - our clothing.

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BY LEAH GILBERT BODY POSITIVE ATHLETES

hen you delve into the technical performance clothing environment (and in this context I am also talking about hiking, climbing, wet weather gear, wetsuits), it would appear that the general consensus is that anyone over a size 18 or so can’t be too adventurous, nor athletic. And if we indeed wanted to be, we could borrow our Dads’ or husbands’ gear.

this as part of their weekly training loads. Spending that much time in the pool means that you become aware of the sort of garment you feel serves you best for the purpose. Low, plunging necklines are not in our interests (hello, drag!), nor are flimsy straps that don’t stay in place or are not literally glued to our collarbones. You want something that is going to be low drag, durable and fast. Google performance swimwear in size 20 and you will hear the internet equivalent of crickets or me rolling my eyes at the items people are assuming is performance swimwear for ‘us’.

I loathed snow skiing for this exact reason which is sad because I love the snow, the mountains and the actual RUSH of skiing. However, the trauma of finding and being fitted for gear is all too fresh in my memories. Crowded gear rental stalls teaming and steaming with people sliding effortlessly into their gear and me, all hot and bothered in the corner trying to inhale my men’s XL bib and brace so tight that I couldn’t bend down to try on the larger boot desperately willing these ones to FINALLY fit my calves. Then cue the walk of shame back to the counter to inform the exasperated counter person that they still didn’t fit. The last time I went skiing was in 2004. Things have surely changed since then but I must be honest, there is something stopping me from really testing the theory.

When I had a meeting recently with a manufacturer about designing and producing performance swimwear in larger sizes, I learnt that sizing up in women’s gear is apparently more complex than men’s. Because our physical bodies may be wider but our limbs not necessarily longer, this means that basic upsizing in a manufacturing sense would result in us having something that fits us around the middle but is about a foot too long in the arms or the legs. Lets face it, we’ve all had a rash vest that doubled as a dress. To cut a long story short, too much extra design and patternmaking work translates to extra time and extra money. Now this is only one conversation, so you can imagine I would be ecstatic if someone quashed this theory.

So why is it that in 2016, there is still some size qualification to adventure and performance? Why am I, a hardened triathlete and runner, still hesitant to place myself in a situation where I may still be told ‘sorry we don’t have your size’?

Depending on which event I am training for, at peak training load periods, I can be covering anywhere up to 7-8km in the pool a week. Some athletes I know, do a hell of a lot more than this as part of their weekly training loads. Spending that much time in the pool means that you become aware of the sort of garment you feel serves you best for the purpose.

If any of you follow my work or listened to my recent podcast with Emma Chalmers of Rebelology, you will be well aware that I have campaigned in this space for a number of years, working to create an awareness that there is this amazing segment of the athletic market which is not being catered for. It really does seem to bend people’s minds that there would be a person over a size 16 who needs to wear compression tights because it is part of their recovery plan or that they need an all-weather jacket because they are undertaking a five-day hike across Tasmania. Or they need specific pants to wear whilst climbing Mount-bloody Kilimanjaro. There is a segment of us who require specific, technical performance garments in support of our athletic pursuits and we are no longer happy making do with our Dads’ jackets! My frustration in this area becomes even more evident when it comes to performance swimwear. Depending on which event I am training for, at peak training load periods, I can be covering anywhere up to 7-8km in the pool a week. Some athletes I know, do a hell of a lot more than

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But just because its harder and more labour intensive, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, right? RIGHT. The landscape of fitness, health and wellness in Australia is changing, particularly when it comes to women. It is a landscape that is being filled with the rich tapestry of women who have realised that physical fitness is a means of exploring our potential rather than punishing ourselves. We are doing activities that serve us as humans, with many of us returning to our feminine energies and bonding with nature, the Earth and each other. The pictures and stories coming out of all distances of the recent Ultra Trail Australia events are a brilliant demonstration of this shift. And in order to do what serves us we need specific, technical, performance wear – in ALL sizes. We are now collectively turning to manufacturers and their brands and saying “you know what? I’m not settling anymore. I am an athlete who undertakes X activities and I require technical garments that support me. And no, Dad’s old XXL rain jacket is not good enough.” Some will come to the party and realise the value of the market segment they are missing. Some won’t. My instincts tell me that their snoozing is their losing on this one. I can sense an influx of trailblazing, fearless females coming forward with their own products specifically tailored to our needs. And their message will be clear: “We got tired of waiting for you, so we did it ourselves.”

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THINGS WE ARE LOVING

THIS WINTER Winter is finally here, we did wonder if it was ever going to arrive. The temperature has dropped, snow is falling in the ranges and for those of you who prefer your time outdoors to be 'cool' rather than cold, we’ve found a few hip items to help you get the most from all your travel and play this season.

TENTSILE TREE TENTS

Tentsile Tree Tents were conceived as treehouses that you can take anywhere and inspired by the Star Wars Ewok Village. These "tree tents" offer an incredible new way for you and your friends to experience a whole new level of freedom. Separated from wet, lumpy, bumpy, uneven ground and with increased protection from snakes, bugs and other creepies, the range offers the opportunity to camp in places no one has ever camped before. The team at Tentsile love trees so much, that they plant 3 trees for each tent sold! “If we're all hanging out in trees, they can't cut them down”. To find out more www.tentsile.com

"UPCYCLE FETISH" BICYCLE RACKS. I am in love with these Antler Trophies composed of used bicycle parts. Mounted on a wooden plates and able to carry heavy load – perfect for the bike lover who wants to admire their beast at all times (you know who you are). According to the designer Andreas Scheiger: “Pablo Picasso saw it first and created his "cabeza de toro". I needed a bicycle hanger. And then I needed a hanger for bicycle caps and while I was on it, something to hang my umbrella unto. And when left bare I see a tribute to my fetish, the bicycle.” Materials: Used bicycle parts: saddles, stems, brakes, handle bars, wood plate, screws & nuts, brackets and strong bails. www.behance.net/gallery/Upcycle-Fetish andischeiger.bigcartel.com

THE SWING HANDSFREE BACKPACK UMBRELLA

I’m not sure if this is a joke or total genius? According to the manufactures website, "The innovative trekking umbrella is easily fastened to any standard backpack with hip belt and directed into the wind and rain. Both hands remain completely free which is ideal for walkers who don't want to go without trekking poles in the rain, either" I’ll leave it up to you to decide. www.euroschirm.com

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DISCOVERING THE BEAUTY OF THE BICYCLE

PEDAL POWERED Australian Businesses Imagine learning to ride a bicycle at work, having office bikes available 24/7, and ‘bike pooling’ instead of carpooling with your colleagues. It sounds like a story out of cycle-loving Copenhagen, but these are real examples from Australian businesses who have discovered the beauty of the bicycle. BY ALICE KING PHOTOGRAPHY BEN CIRULIS

Health, Wellness and Sustainability are keywords

ride only has to be at least 10 minutes to count, so

more engaged office atmosphere and lower

in many corporate HR strategies. But what’s the

rather than who can cycle the furthest or the most

carbon emissions.

best way to go about actually putting these into

often, it’s about who can encourage the most

action, creating a happy, healthy workplace

people to give cycling a go.

culture? The answer could be as simple as the

The idea is that after you get on a bicycle once,

humble bicycle.

the second time becomes easier, the third easier

We talked to a government department, a major

still…and before you know it, it’s a habit!

hotel and a software development company

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage,

who have all embraced pedal power and aren’t

Hilton Sydney and 4mation Technologies all won

looking back.

their categories for the Sydney Rides Business

There’s nothing like a little healthy competition to

Challenge, but found the real wins were for their

get the ball (or wheel) rolling. The Sydney Rides

riders and workplace.

Business Challenge (SRBC) is an annual month

Individual benefits include feeling happier and

long event aiming to get more ‘bums on bikes’,

healthier during the day, getting to work faster

So if you’d love to see more workmates, friends

with workplaces competing against each other

and reduced transport costs, while the businesses

or family discovering the two-wheeled way of life,

to see who can get the most staff to ride a bike. A

enjoy increased enthusiasm and teamwork, a

remember - it starts with you!

Some of the great initiatives these organisations support staff with include bike parking, showers and even monthly massages (maybe you should start dropping hints to your boss!) But despite all the bells and whistles, the best way to get more people on bikes “came from people encouraging work mates to try their bike or have a go riding to work or on the weekend...those little personal nudges” - Clare Donovan, The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

Team Case Studies/Profiles.

SRBC HIGHLIGHT: 45% OF OEH RIDERS WERE WOMEN “The Sydney Rides Business Challenge was a great opportunity to build our workplace health and wellbeing culture, connect teams in different offices, and ultimately keep us fit, healthy and happy.” Clare Donovan, Sustainability Coordinator The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) made the challenge a community affair, encouraging staff to show newer riders the best routes into work, or get out for a lunchtime spin around the park together. “Through the challenge I met some great people at other offices and in different departments, who I probably never would have gotten to know otherwise.” - Saskia Peters, Project Officer. While OEH promoted the event through internal communications, it was individual riders’ hands on support and encouragement - even encouraging workmates to borrow their own bikes - that made it a real success. Sustainability is at the heart of everything the Office of Environment and Heritage does, so cycling is encouraged as a form of efficient, healthy and active transport. As well as supporting cycling by offering bike parking and showers, OEH offers staff personal health assessments and provides staff access to discounted gym and pool memberships. Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing so they also have mental health programs and resilience training.

“once I realised I could beat the bus I was hooked”

The momentum has kept going long after the challenge ended, with many staff members continuing to ride to work and looking for their next cycling adventure, like building their own bike from scratch or planning an overseas cycling holiday.

ELIZABETH MOORE, PROJECT OFFICER OEH

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The Hilton Sydney SRBC HIGHLIGHT: ENCOURAGED 152 EMPLOYEES TO TRY RIDING For the Hilton Sydney’s ‘cycling fanatic’ Dutch general manager, the Sydney Rides Business Challenge was the perfect opportunity to promote workplace health and sustainability through bicycles. The Hilton hired bikes for anyone who didn’t own a bike already to get involved, and arranged two ‘try-a-bike’ events in Hyde Park. They encouraged participation with a friendly interdepartmental rivalry and donated money towards the end of year party for every person who got involved. Challenge benefits were “A higher level of team engagement and morale...a real buzz. Promoting cycling supported Hilton’s passion for sustainable practices and has resulted in many team members cycling more often instead of using other modes of transport.” - Sharnie Ferguson, Human Resources Manager. Other healthy workplace initiatives include the Hilton’s in house gym and annual City2Surf run team, while their worldwide Light Stay sustainability program tracks energy and water consumption and waste reduction.

4mation Technologies SRBC HIGHLIGHT: GOT 79% OF THEIR STAFF ON BIKES! With a staff full of software developers, 4mation offsets dark rooms and screen time with daily activities including everything from lunchtime soccer and basketball to run and swim groups. Getting involved with the Sydney Rides Business Challenge provided a great opportunity to demonstrate the company values of Teamwork, Fun and Passion.

“I’m a complete newbie when it comes to cycling. Now, I ride about 5 kms into work each way from Newtown... The fear of traffic and getting all my things ready to ride in were my biggest challenges. Now that I know my route, and am more aware of traffic I’m much more confident”

Since the challenge many more 4mation staff are riding to work or joining the weekly Centennial Park Tuesday morning ride, meaning they now need extra bike parking solutions! A huge environmental benefit from the SRBC was reducing emissions by 494kg of carbon dioxide, encouraging everyone to keep the good work up and keep riding. As well as secure bike parking 4mation supports their staff with sports shirts and equipment, a local gym membership deal, a monthly massage at the office, and free fruit and cereal for healthy snacks on the go. The office sports leader board spurs on some friendly office-wide competition, and 4mation even offers a bonus exercise initiative on every staff member’s work anniversary, where they can choose from options like a Fitbit or PT sessions. With Trampoline Dodgeball and yoga and meditation classes coming up, the 4mationteam has plenty more fun to look forward to. “Having a fit and healthy team is not just great for morale, it’s also great for business!” - Antonia Glucina, Marketing Manager.

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DARA VONGSONEPHET, SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OEH

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change

A reflection on

RIDING for RIGHTS I have sat down to write this article several times, and every time my heart rate picks up, the lump in my throat rises and I am once again transported to a time nearly ten years ago, sitting on a tiled floor in the dusty back streets of Phnom Penh in the poorest of poor districts with a young woman around 16 years of age – a sex worker.

STORY BY AMY HEAGUE

bikes across Cambodia (at the time we were

people about the cause and building strong

complete novices and didn’t even own bikes).

networks based on common experiences.

As we began to speak out this crazy idea a

So with all that in mind, when I was invited

ground swell of women joined us - and in

by Inspired Adventures and the UN Women

2013 nineteen of us cycled nearly 400km

was tucked safely in bed at home in Australia.

Australia Committee to participate in the 2016

across Cambodia on a journey that profoundly

Ride for Rights fundraising cycle in March of

Together they lived in a brothel. A timber

changed all our lives.

this year how could I possibly say no? It was a

This kind of adventure – a fundraising

ride to raise funds to support the work of the

he had with her a child – her child, a baby girl with matted hair, runny nose and filthy clothes. A baby girl the same age as my own little girl who

shack built over open sewage with no running water or electricity. The girl serviced multiple

UN Women in Vietnam and Cambodia in the

clients a day with no access to sanitation,

areas of gender equality and building safer

education or options; and it was in this

and brighter futures for women and girls.

environment that she was doing her best to raise her daughter. Her hope for a better life and a way out had brought her to the centre that we were visiting - an amazing program that has since grown and developed to help hundreds of girls and boys exit the Cambodian sex industry. That first trip to Cambodia disrupted my life in such a profound way that I will never be the same again. I witnessed terrible things that most people will never see and heard story after story that broke my heart, and really, in the short time that I was there I only saw the tip of a very large iceberg. I could choose to look away, but I could never again say, “I

No mountain is too high, ocean too wide or road too long to conquer when hearts are set afire with a sense of adventure and a desire to see change.

I was privileged to share the experience with twenty-seven phenomenal women from across Australia and the USA from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, professions and levels of experience when it came to bike riding. The heat, physical challenge, community and project visits all drew us together in a bond of experience that I can safely say will not be quickly forgotten. The team raised over $140k for UN Women and their projects in the region, they have banned together to personally support a project facilitated by one of our cycle guides and a few have even signed on to return in 2017. For me, it rekindled my passion for the people

didn’t know”. I chose to let the experience

of Cambodia and the organisations I’ve

drive me in all areas of my life: to be a voice for

supported from the beginning and reminded

the voiceless and to advocate for those who

adventure, is a perfect avenue for the novice

me of the power a group of women (or men)

face injustice on a daily basis, to speak up for

to get involved in. It requires a passion for the

have when they come together in unity with

truth and what is right even if it makes people

cause, which in turn is a fantastic motivator for

a common passion and goal. No mountain is

uncomfortable, to be a better parent and

the training required to reach the finish line,

too high, ocean too wide or road too long to

steward of the people and relationships in my

mountaintop or final kilometre. It is a journey

conquer when hearts are set afire with a sense

life and ultimately, the experience is what lead

in which you will face some of your toughest

of adventure and a desire to see change.

to the creation of Travel Play Live and the final

days and come out stronger. It is a moment in

And of course ‘now that I have seen, I am

pillar in our core values – my personal favourite

time that will be forever etched in your heart

responsible’.

– change.

and memory, and in my experience they are

If you would like to join the Ride for

The ‘active’ adventure part of this story

adventures of true worth to the organisation

Rights 2017 adventure you can find out

started in 2012, when along with a friend, we

or communities you are fundraising for.

more here: www.inspiredadventures.

decided that we needed to do something a

Why? Because it is in the fire of preparation

com.au/events/un-women-ride-for-

little crazy to fundraise for the several amazing

and execution of the goal that you create

rights-2017

organisations in Cambodia we had been

passionate advocates and storytellers, and

Head to our website (www.

supporting for years. The most outlandish

in this landscape – stories are key. Key to

travelplaylive.com.au) for a full gallery of

thing we could imagine was to ride our

reaching and engaging supporters, educating

photos and more blog posts.

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Australian designed Crafted by Cuore of Switzerland. Offering a womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific cycling collection for the ambitious female rider using the finest fabrics.

www.queenofthemountain.com.au

Features and detailing for the ultimate performance. A look, fit & feel to get the most out of your cycling apparel on every ride. Our latest collections LUMINARY and NOTABLE available in Original and Sport fit ranging from XXS - XL.

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The

JOURNEY Beyond the

OLYMPICS

I recently had the privilege to hear Elaka Whalan (nee Graham) speak about her swimming career, women and standing your ground. Her stellar swimming career saw her reach world #1 in her freestyle events bringing home medals from Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. A wife to former 4-time water polo Olympian Thomas Whalan, they reside in Sydney with their three young children, and she has just launched out into her newest adventure as a businesswoman. Elka filled us in on her journey thus far.

he towel still gets a big workout these days but it's to wipe down our three children under five from the bath or shower. The goggles are still worn but only when I sneak out early before anyone wakes. The costume still fits purely because I work out and am disciplined to stay fit - I have to keep up with the trio troops! The adventures after two Olympics had taken me places my mind at 22 years of age could never have imagined. I was so blessed to have met my husband at the Athens 2004 Olympics and in 2008 we married; meeting him was my Olympic Gold moment. Whilst Thomas went on to represent Australia in another two Olympics, I went on but on the other side as a media commentator, writing and being a part of the sporting media. I lived in Italy for 4 years and had a year in Spain Barcelona watching my husband play water polo as I grew my first round tummy. It's now been ten years since I retired at twenty-four. The medals and moments of The Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World championships and Pan Pacific’s will never be forgotten BUT the real adventure started as I yearned to be a mother and wife. My discipline in swimming, the characteristics and qualities I built up through professional training has certainly shaped parts of who I am now as a young thirty-four year old; still loving life and just as excited for adventure than ever before. We travel the world with the children, last year was six weeks around the US, and we took our middle son at nine months to Greece and Florence for four weeks. We

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are forever planning our next holiday be it a short trip to the south coast of NSW or our next big overseas trip. Travel is a foundation pillar for ‘Team Whalan’ we love the bonding and uniting of the family that holidays bring. Traveling is freedom and freedom is love and joy. The sleep may be less but you live out of love and love out of tiredness. The other thing that drives me is - I am beyond passionate for women. Especially the connection of females coming together to know their true worth and understand the value in who they are. Their sense of purpose and identity to be known and never being afraid to be bold in who they are called to be. I've softly launched ‘Queenhood - For The Woman Who Knows Her Worth’. The four exciting pillars of the project are: motherhood, work hood, style, and fitness & health. These pillars represent real woman all mixed with a big dose of humour. Over the coming months we will be launching with events and great web content all with a positive spin. So yes, life is certainly full but it challenges me to increase my capacity and make a difference. We are all gifted in areas and it's for us to share these gifts. I'm so excited to encourage others, lift them up, and be a cheerleader for who they are and called to be. As for my sense of adventure, it's well and truly alive inside of me, my children have a great sense of spirit (ha ha) and my husband is up for the ride as we travel through this incredible life together. There is so much to see and learn and together we are better for it! You can check out Elka’s new project here: www.queenhood.com.au

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coastrek A Journey Restoring Hope & Sight

WORDS BY WILD WOMEN ON TOP

‘Wild Women On Top’ adventurous CEO, Di Westaway, and Director, the super fit, wonder woman, Lisa Marshall, established Coastrek in 2010. They wanted to help more women become fit and see the magical places they train in each week with their groups of Wild Women.

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ince then, they’ve seen eight incredibly successful events, each bigger and better than the last and raised nearly $13 million for The Fred Hollows Foundation. ‘Wild Women On Top’ (WWOT) chose The Fred Hollows Foundation because blindness is a gender issue and so is adventure health. Sixty percent of the world’s blind are women. Women are over-represented in blindness because of poverty and under-represented in adventure because of culture. We want to increase the number of sighted women and increase the number of healthy women. In the developing world, when there’s not enough education or medication to go round, dad gets it first. If there’s a blind parent, it’s the girls who must stay home from school to guide them. It’s the same in adventure. Women are less likely than men to choose an adventure challenge to keep themselves fit and healthy because they’re too busy working AND mothering and because they lack confidence in their bodies and minds.

or Melbourne should be the capital of our nation. Yet it is impossible to say whether Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula or Sydney’s coast and harbour are the most beautiful. Before you do a Coastrek you walk the trail many times with your teammates and you get to know every hill and inch of the paths. These training walks are the best part of the experience for me. You can stop and stare. The Mornington Peninsula is a wild coastal adventure with many different types of bush and many lonely, craggy rock formations on isolated beaches. I particularly like walking in the windswept coastal heath that exposes you to the weather, sea and big, big sky. On the other hand, the Sydney Harbour foreshores have a remarkable number of long stretches of beautiful bushland and groves of trees overlooking truly spectacular views through the headland and out to sea. Most Sydneysiders have no idea how much wild bushland there still is so close to the city. You see a lot of wild life, especially birds and lizards and a surprising number of bush turkeys. The Sydney coastal paths along the beaches are better known but the benefit of walking is that you have the time to really “see” the beauty that busy lives make us take for granted.

To highlight the gift of sight and draw a comparison between an endurance event and the suffering of those who live with avoidable blindness conditions is a powerful and compelling motivator.

Coastrek is about inspiring and empowering women to transform their lives. It is NOT a race; it is an adventure with little luxuries along the way. The event reaches out to women to get them on track with their health and fitness through a simple social activity: walking with women in nature. Over 63% of Australians are overweight, and the team at WWOT are passionate about helping women get healthy the natural way - by walking in nature, having fun with friends, getting fit and fundraising for Fred! It’s also about restoring sight to indigenous women in Australia and around the world. Trekking to restore sight is a simple message of empowering women.

WWOT and The Fred Hollows Foundation have enjoyed a long- term partnership from its inception, cumulatively raising almost 13 million dollars through eight events in both Sydney and Melbourne. The Fred Hollows Foundation believes there is a natural and genuine synergy between the event itself and The Foundation - with the culture, heritage and program work. Fred Hollows himself loved the outdoors and trekking was one of his strongest passions. Trekking along some of the most stunning coastline in the world is a privilege, even more so when fully sighted. To highlight the gift of sight and draw a comparison between an endurance event and the suffering of those who live with avoidable blindness conditions is a powerful and compelling motivator. Coastrek Patron - Julie McCrossin Shares her Coastrek story "Walking Coastrek is now a central part of my life. It brings me peace, exhilaration and a deep encounter with the beauty of the Australian bush and wildlife. Raising money for the Fred Hollows Foundation to help the blind see, always feels incredibly worthwhile. And the team experience of friendship and sharing stories on the trail is a special kind of intimacy. To walk 30 or 60 kilometres together, you have to support each other and this mutual help, builds deep bonds. This year I’ll walk my second Melbourne Coastrek and in 2017 it will be my sixth Sydney Coastrek. It is traditional for Sydney and Melbourne people to compete. Let’s face it; we only built the city of Canberra because of the irreconcilable arguments over whether Sydney

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Exactly three years ago, I received radiation and chemotherapy for stage four cancer in my tonsils, tongue and throat. I lost over 20kgs in six weeks. I used to think talking about cancer recovery as a “journey” was a cliché. But now I know exactly what survivors mean. You do have to take steps to find a path back to your new life after the shock and rigours of tough treatments. Walking with my Coastrek friends along the coast of Melbourne and Sydney has helped me physically and mentally to reconstruct my identity and wellbeing. There is plenty of research evidence that backs this up. But walking with good company in wild places is also a spiritual experience. It is good for the soul. I know that for as long as I am alive, I’ll be forming teams of friends and walking in Coastrek". So what is Coastrek? Coastrek is a 30-60km team trekking challenge which journeys along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Teams of four, with at least 50% being women have up to 18 hours to complete the challenge, getting fit while raising money to transform lives. Coastrek has seen thousands of people complete the challenge to date. When you sign up for Coastrek, you embark on months of adventure – planning, preparation, training, fundraising, chatting, walking, shopping. Your energy and enthusiasm will radiate from you as you are motivated and inspired by your challenge! We’re super excited to announce Coastrek is coming to the Sunshine Coast for the first time next year! September 1st 2016 we are launching registrations for the following events: • Sydney Coastrek - March 2017 • Melbourne Coastrek - May 2017 •Sunshine Coastrek – July 2017 Find out more at www.Coastrek.com.au

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F R O M C O R P O R AT E L I F E to the

way

Growing up I always felt different. I felt there was more to life than what was considered normal, and I yearned for freedom from the norm. However, being young, and not really knowing any different at the time, I went about conforming as was expected. WRITTEN BY CAROLINE PACKER

I got a job, a law degree, became a lawyer, bought a house and a new car. This was all just part of ‘growing up’ and what I ‘should’ be doing - right? I spent seven years being a rat on the corporate treadmill until one day I realised that it would be harder to continue to live that life, than it would be to walk away and find the life that I truly wanted to live. So I left my relationship of seven years, sold the house I’d bought with that person, sold the new car, and gave away custody of our dog. On top of that, I moved to a new city and for the first time in my life, was living on my own. I lost friends and the security of a familiar life that I was comfortable in. A couple of years later, with no real savings, I quit my career as a lawyer. I had no plan. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do, and this was really hard to reconcile. How could I be almost thirty and have no idea what was going to make me happy? Everybody around me constantly told me how crazy I was because I’d worked so hard to build the life I had recently dismantled. The pressure and judgement was unrelenting. I was constantly justifying my decisions and myself. People just could not understand how I wasn’t satisfied in a life that apparently ticked all society’s boxes for a ‘happy life’. Often I struggled to hold onto my truth. Even though the decisions were mine, and I knew I was doing the right thing, I still grieved the loss of my old life. At times I couldn’t imagine how I was going to

find my way forward. It was like someone had turned all the lights out and I was left standing in the dark and my eyes just weren’t adjusting. It got to a point where I was deeply unhappy and becoming increasingly frustrated and overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness around finding the life that I knew I wanted to live. I needed to do something really big. Something that would shake me to my core in the hope it would lead me to the life I knew I was looking for. What I got was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I had vaguely heard of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage that people make from all over the globe to Santiago de Compostela, where religious scholars believe the tomb of St James resides in the Cathedral. I am in no way religious, yet I knew that I had to walk the road to Santiago. At 8am on 10 April 2013, I took my first steps on the Camino and began an 820km walk across Spain that pushed me to my absolute limits, physically, mentally and emotionally, and would ultimately change my life. With no research other than where the best place to start from was, and with ZERO prior history or experience of doing 'this sort of thing', I booked myself a flight to Paris, bought myself a backpack and a pair of walking shoes and hit the road. Starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees, I walked up and over, crossing the border into Spain

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and followed a series of yellow arrows that would take me across the North of the country. I quite literally walked across Spain, and it set me on a path to a new way of life. For thirty-five days I walked, slept, ate, walked, ate, slept, walked and walked and walked and walked! I cried. I laughed. I experienced anguish, pain, frustration, pain, and more pain, until I experienced peace, calm, community, a level of happiness I didn't even know existed, and a real sense of truly living in the moment. I encountered my authentic self, and with nothing except the bag on my back, I was happier than I had ever been in my life. It has been ten years since first finding the courage to live my truth, and walking the Camino was the most significant experience that led me to my life now. A life I feel at home in. I’ve kept walking, literally and metaphorically, and with each step I become more confident in my choices, and more comfortable in my way of life. It is hard to shift beliefs that are ingrained from an early age; to not conform, to speak your truth to a collective doubt that surrounds you in the shape of society, family, and friends, but the truth is, that there are no rules, no normal, no usual. If you are brave enough to really live your life the way you want, to shine your light and speak your truth, then you will live a life of real happiness, love and freedom.

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YOU KNOW THAT

OLD FEELING BY L AU R E N H E YS F ROM MOX X IG ROU P.C OM . AU

You know the feeling. You have a great idea, you want to go on an adventure, take up a new sport or even travel the world. So you get excited; so much so you even start to Google, and then... And then all the evil voices come to play! “There are already so many people doing what you want to do and they all look so professional. Who are you to even try?” “You’ve never done it before. You’re probably not fit enough! Besides, what if you fail?” “There’s no way you could possibly be that good, I mean look that well co-ordinated “X”. And let’s be honest, can you even really be bothered trying at all? Sound familiar? I mean you haven’t even made it out of the house or called a friend yet and your idea is already a distant memory of another ‘silly whim’ of an idea. As women we have a super power in comparing ourselves to others, and constantly coming up short. Everyone else seems so impressive, so together, and so talented. We on the other hand just hum along. So, we do what we do; carry on with life. This super power of negativity stalls thousands of wonderful ideas before they are even given the chance to see the light of day. It robs women all over the world of an opportunity to learn and experience incredible things at every turn. For some reason it feels ‘easy’ to fall short in comparison to others, and simpler to not even try. But here’s the thing. The #1 fear of women is, that we are not good enough; and #2 fear is that we will be found out to be a fraud. So there you have it. Every woman you look up to has feelings of doubt, frustration, tears, and concerns that they aren’t good enough… The talent is to learn how to take action even when you feel those things.

To get comfortable with the uncomfortable and take action anyway. I have a secret for you. There are many people out there who would look at you and say: ‘Wow, she’s so amazing, I have no idea how she manages to do x y z’. It isn’t until you realise that what you do naturally is awesome, that you will start to give yourself some credit. I often don’t ‘feel’ like I do anything special, but then someone says to me “you rode a 24 hour mountain bike race, did the longest ocean rowing race in the world and run a business with clients all over the world”. My natural reaction is to shrug my shoulders and say ‘yeah, but that’s just what I do’. I’m impressed by women with children, women who come through adversity full of love and gratitude, women who complete incredible feats while on a weight loss journey, women who can master the art of pastry and cushion selection. Seriously. You see we focus on all the things we don’t have or don’t naturally do and somehow think that these things should come naturally to us. We compare our ‘learning areas’ to other’s natural genius. Of course we are going to come up short! So the first step to getting over feeling inadequate and making a move to live an incredible life, is to really understand what you do naturally well. Embrace your genius and you will start to build true confidence. Secondly, you must understand what you want to do and more importantly, why you want to do it. This is vital to stop the comparison and to create a desire to achieve, not just attempt. So often we have ‘wants’. We want to have

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more money, more time, better health, more adventures, a wonderful relationship… but we aren’t committed. It’s a nice idea. Knowing what you want and why you want it creates an anchor for the work required to get there. If you really want to do an overnight hike, you'll figure out how do it and make it happen! Thirdly, start appreciating those who have what you want. Be impressed by what they have achieved. Follow them. If you can, ask them questions. These people have achieved the things you admire though a pattern of behaviour; so what can you learn from them? As a special bonus, when you start doing this your brain will expect others to enjoy your success rather than pull you down! When you start appreciating yourself, get clear on what you want, and surround yourself with the success you desire you will begin to see the possibilities. In my experience it takes a little while, but once you make these changes the success comes, whatever you want it to be. Before I sign off I just want to remind you how incredible you really are. You may not see it every day, but those around you do. Those in your life need you to live the best life you can. You don’t have to be the best (what does the best even mean?) but know that no matter what, you can inspire, influence and make a difference. Someone in the world needs to hear what you have to say. Someone in the world needs to see what you’ve got. So go on, get out there; the world is waiting for you. Be courageous… I believe in you! Lauren x

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Love Travel Play

S T O R I E S

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dream

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." LAO TZU

Photographer: Dawn Thomson Photography

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LOVE STORIES PROFILE: IAN AND LISA

I A N

How did you both meet? At a friend's New Year's Eve house party What type of adventures do you enjoy sharing together? Cycling is the mainstay, but we'll get out there doing whatever we can really. Together we've enjoyed hiking, Rogaining, snorkeling, kayaking, and rafting. We just make sure we bring enough food nowadays, as we've discovered being 'hangry' is about the only thing that spoils the fun! How does your shared love of adventure fuel your relationship? When you're out in nature there's no distractions, to-do lists, phone calls or emails. It's a time when you can be completely present in the moment and with each other. During and after adventures, we always feel more connected and at peace even afterwards when we go back to 'normal' life. Where did you get married? On the headland near Kiama beach Why was that location special to you? We've made some fantastic memories from holidaying in that region. We also had Ian's Chilean family travelling here for the wedding. We thought we'd make it extra special and bring them to a beautiful part of Australia. ridiculous, nobody else has to worry about keeping up their image!

L I S A been a bit closer to home! But we think the guests enjoyed it, quite a few of them made the most of a weekend away. Also it is probably best to try riding a tandem before heading off in front of all your family and friends. As it turns out, riding a tandem uphill on bumpy grass for the first time, with one of you in a dress is not easy! We wobbled off for 20m or so then turned around and came back before we had a disaster! Hence we were completely cracking up. But it was a fantastic ice breaker - once the bride and groom have done something Best moment together out on an adventure? That's an easy one - Ian proposed while we were hiking in the Indian Himalayas!

Riding a tandem uphill on bumpy grass for the first time, with one of you in a dress is not easy!

How did your guests respond to your choice of wedding location? Ian's Chilean family thought it could have

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LOVE STORIES PROFILE: BILL AND ANTHI

Photography by: Zac Ablett

B I L L How did you both meet?Through my sister Nia. The first time we met, the three of us went to see a play and have dinner in Melbourne. In the first ten minutes Nia was telling Bill how I was looking for someone to walk the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) with from Walhalla, Victoria to Canberra. Bill responded without hesitation “I’ll do it with you”. That was back in 2005. What type of adventures do you enjoy sharing together? Long-distance hiking, kayaking, bike touring, explorative day trips and everyday life adventures. How does your shared love of adventure fuel your relationship? Adventure is most present for us in long-distance hiking. We have different paces, but walking has a way of unravelling things in a positive sense and all the elements that adventuring and journeying represent…it brings us closer to being our true selves; our ‘sparks’. It’s this shared excitement that fuels our relationship, of being in that place together which is why we decided to have a wedding encompassing adventure and journey, because being in nature fuels our connection. Robyn Davidson summed it up best in a Quarterly Essay issue that we incorporated

into our wedding speeches, “By taking to the road we free ourselves of baggage, both physical and psychological. We walk back to our original condition, to our best selves.” It is this shared love of adventure that not only fuels our relationship, but our co-created business – 50 DAYS. Where did you get married? At Native Dog Flat campsite along the AAWT, 44km north east of Benambra, Victoria. It is situated roughly halfway through the 670km track, near the border of Victoria and NSW. Why was the location special to you? We always wanted to do a long walk together, so when we were ready to be married, walking the AAWT was how we chose to consummate our relationship. We wanted to be our ‘best selves’ throughout the journey and we knew we could achieve this way of being with about a month of walking prior. For practical reasons the location needed to be accessible to guests, in the alpine region, en route through the AAWT, but also somewhere that was serene, secluded and felt special. Native Dog Flat is a beautiful little glade in a protected alpine region with a trickle of the Buchan River running through the campsite. How did guests respond? With trepi-

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A N T H I dation at first, but supportive of our wishes as they recognised it was a unique and remarkable experience and wanted to share that. The Celebrant in particular was up for anything, including snow! There was an intimate gathering of immediate family only and everyone played a role in making the day sensational; from cooking the food, to bringing furniture and setting up the handmade decorations. Best moment together out on an adventure? Within every journey there is a multitude of moments. For us they generally involve a reward, being around water, a time of cleansing or wonderment. Of the most rewarding was the North West Circuit on Stewart Island, New Zealand. It was a proper adventure and the most challenging hike we’d ever embarked on, which felt more like an obstacle course at times. After a particularly hard day we had pushed ourselves to the limit through undulating terrain and knee-deep mud. At the end of the day we took our ailing bodies to the top of a massive sand dune with views of where we had come and what lay ahead. It was freezing, but we didn’t care. It was worth it. There was a sense of knowing you had each other and that you could cope, no matter what came your way.

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LOVE STORIES PROFILE: ALICE AND BEN

A L I C E

How did you both meet? Through our local road cycling club. I wanted to get into more mountain biking events and Ben was very helpful with pointing me in the right direction (I can’t imagine why). He had me signed up to a 100km endurance MTB event - and loving it - before I knew it. The best thing about meeting in Lycra is that the bar is set fairly low appearance wise from the get go. Anything more dressed up than that is a bonus! What type of adventures do you enjoy sharing together? We met through bicycles and definitely have what some might consider an excessive bicycle collection. Add to that running, kayaking, rock climbing and adventure racing (where you put a bunch of those together with navigation) and we never run out of new adventures to have. That said, just being in the outdoors and quietly soaking it up is soul food for both of us. We keep our camping gear in the van so we can finish up work on a Friday and head straight to the Blue Mountains. We love sharing Ben’s photos from our explorations so that other people can discover these magic places too

B E N

(@fotografija.com.au on Instagram) How does your shared love of adventure fuel your relationship? When you share extreme highs and lows together you really get to see the strengths and weaknesses of your partner under all conditions (including hypothermia and heatstroke). You know that you are in this together and have each other’s back no matter what. While we live for those adventurous weekend trips where we leave the city and its stresses behind, enjoying the ordinary moments in between adventures is just as important too. Packing and unpacking the car, doing the dirty laundry and having a well deserved post adventure cup of tea together…being partners in everyday life. Where did you get married? Kinloch, South Island New Zealand. On the edge of the lake with nothing but water, forest and mountains as far as the eye could see. An hour’s drive north of Queenstown at the lake head, it's the last stop before the gravel road runs out. To add to the sense of journey and discovery, our groomsmen and guests made their way on foot through beech forest to the ceremony spot, while the bridesmaids and

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myself were canoed across the water by my dad and brothers. Why was that location special to you? Born in New Zealand and Australia, we now call both countries home, with family on either side of the Tasman. To reflect this we had an engagement celebration in Australia then headed to Aotearoa for the wedding. South Island New Zealand is one of the most incredible places in the world, and the site of many memories and outdoor adventures for us. We wanted to share that experience with our friends and family, and were so happy many of them extended their visits to create their own adventures. As for us, we couldn’t resist taking the mountain bikes and going campervan-ing afterwards! We were looking for somewhere off the beaten track, on the edge of wilderness (but still reasonably practical in terms of airport accessibility and nearby accommodation). Once we found this gorgeous spot, everything else just fell into place. How did your guests respond to your wedding location choice? With almost too much enthusiasm! Our tiny venue was bursting at the seams. Many

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Photographer: Dawn Thomson Photography

While we live for those adventurous weekend trips where we leave the city and its stresses behind, enjoying the ordinary moments in between adventures is just as important too. people had always wanted to visit the South Island and this was the perfect opportunity. We encouraged everyone to stay for a few days to explore and relax and make the most of being there. (There were, however, a few initial grumbles about the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;white and neutralsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dress code, but everyone was very obliging come the big day!) Best moment together out on an adventure? Doing a 24-hour adventure race together, it feels as if you have left the ordinary world behind altogether. You see the sun rise high and slowly track across the sky, a blazing eye against endless blue. Sunset sets the world on fire, before the stars come out to light your way through the long dark night. Finally the sun rises again on a new day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost as if you are the only two people in the world awake and adventuring in this beautiful world, together, breathing the same air and seeing the same wilderness sights, and not missing a precious moment. And yes, there is sweat and suffering and sleep deprivation, but all that fades away and only the magic remains.

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Letletititsnow snow

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let

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t itSnow Cold weather doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to lock yourself away inside for months on end. With the right gear, combination of layers and some good friends, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and have yourself some fun. We have scouted some of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top brands and found a great selection of items, that aren't just practical, they are fashionable too - with many of them are designed and made right here in Oz; ready to inspire your winter adventure.

This Page: Mountain Designs New Winter Range. Shop Now www.mountaindesigns.com/store/new-arrivals

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CHECK IT OUT

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This page Scarpa Kailash GTX Women’s Trekking Boot - $379.95 rrp Scarpa Mythos GTX Women’s Boot - $449.95 rrp For Stockists: www.scarpa.net/en/australia

This page Photographer: Lachlan Gardiner

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This page MD Sherpa Jacket $299.95 rrp www.mountaindesigns.com

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top

Mountain of the

As the world's thirst for adventure grows, Australian company Mountain Designs continues to be a cutting edge leader in the outdoor and travel industry, striving every day to provide quality, technical, multi-functional gear for all Australians – no matter their passion or level of outdoor expertise. So we thought we would catch up with CEO Caroline Machado Campos, a woman passionate about good design, championing their female ambassadors to reach their extraordinary goals and who has a personal desire to explore the world around her. What is your personal definition of adventure? Making memories, achieving goals and realising dreams. Taking risks and having the courage to do things differently. Exploring new opportunities, finding new materials and creating. Travelling, learning, innovating and essentially mixing it all together and coming up with completely new things that no one has ever seen before.

create some amazing memories.

doubts and try harder!

How does your business Mountain Designs help people tap into this?

What is one of your biggest highlights so far in this Mountain Designs

We are the first step of many amazing

journey?

journeys and incredible adventures, so when

Definitely our 40th birthday celebrations

a customer visits our store their experience

last year! We were able to get eighty of our

needs to be the very best it can be! Most of

Mountain Designs team together, camping

our passionate team are involved in some

under the stars at Mt Warning. We had an

form of active adventure and are able to

amazing time with lots of fun including a

provide first hand experience and advice of

sunrise climb as well as reflecting on our

What is a personal adventurous highlight? Most recently - a trip to India - travelling through Rajasthan, camels through the desert, boats on the Ganges, sharing chai with locals, discovering artisans in alleyways, beautiful weavings, block printing, beading saris, visiting the most intricately carved temples and sacred spaces. There is so much to discover in India, I can’t wait to visit again.

what the best products to enjoy the ultimate

heritage and history. We had a film night

adventure are. Our team have extensive

under the stars in which we premiered

product training, because recommending

a documentary film specifically made to

the right product is serious business and

capture the early beginnings of Mountain

really can affect whether our customer has a

Designs – it was definitely an experience that

positive or negative experience.

won’t be forgotten!

Simple things such as recommending a

Do you have a personal bucket list of

sock liner with a sock inside a boot will help

adventures? If so, what is currently at

prevent blisters and first time hikers will

the top of the list?

appreciate this extra concern! Our team’s

Yes, I love travelling and exploring new

knowledge of customers’ needs depending

places. I love the sense of freedom this gives

on the end use really makes a difference- that

and not having to adhere to deadlines. My

is our strength!

list is too long to mention however we are

In your opinion, what is it about active adventure that appeals and inspires so many people? It’s exhilarating and inspiring! It makes you feel alive. Life is short and creating your own adventure is so rewarding. Being active outdoors in the wild conditions combined with the pure natural beauty of our world, seems to have such a calming effect. Discovering new cultures, it’s a totally different experience to the normal day- today life for most and provides such a great opportunity to challenge yourself, and

What lessons have you learnt from your own personal adventures that you

is pretty exciting.

have been able to apply to running a

I’ve been pretty inspired by Alyssa Azar, our

successful business?

MD Brand Ambassador and the youngest

Persistence is the key in both personal and

Australian to Summit Everest on May 25th

business adventures. The first time you

2016 and have decided that I would really

try something new it may not always be

like to visit Nepal and Base Camp at some

successful but don’t give up! Believe in

point!

yourself- it may take a while for new ideas to

Capture the memories and have fun.

catch on. Don’t be disheartened, have no

Thanks Caroline

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currently planning a gear- testing trip, which

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WINTER ESSENTIALS ... for the places you'd rather be

Mountain Designs provide a huge range of women's clothing, footwear and accessories to suit every adventure. Whether you're planning to climb a mountain, backpack across countries or go camping with friends on the weekend we have the gear for your adventure.

SEAWOOL

Crafted from Recycled Oyster Shells Our Seawool range was born from our commitment to creating quality, innovative and sustainable clothing. Combining recycled oyster shells and recycled plastic bottles, Seawool delivers a new standard of ecoconscious, highly functional fabric. This beautiful clothing Women’s Mountain Designs

provides insulating warmth and is soft, wrinkle free, quick drying, anti-static and naturally prevents odour. Features and benefits: • Soft woollen touch • Insulating warmth • Naturally anti-odour • Wrinkle resistant • Quick drying: The recycled

Women’s Mountain Designs

ARIEL SEAWOOL CHECK LONG SLEEVE SHIRT This

SUPER DRY 16 LEGGINGS Sitting right next to the skin, a quality base layer garment needs to be comfortable and able to efficiently manage your body’s temperature. Made using a unique blended dual action fabric, the Women's Mountain Designs Super Dry 16 Leggings are a high performance garment designed for the active outdoors person. RRP $41.95

beautiful, eco-conscious shirt provides a soft woollen touch and insulating warmth for your travels, outdoor adventures and winter outings. It's also very easy to care for thanks to the wrinkle resistant, odour resistant and quick drying fabric. This makes it perfect for travel and hassle free everyday wear. RRP $119. 95

AHNU TWAIN HARTE

Women's Mountain Designs

WATERPROOF HIKING BOOTS

PRO-ELITE TRANSIENT GORE-TEX® C-KNIT JACKET

These boots implement great technology and design to offer wearers optimal stability, traction and comfort. They feature a Vibram® non-marking rubber outsole, giving them outstanding traction on wet or dry terrain, with solid gripping properties and great shock absorption. RRP $299.95

This jacket delivers 100% waterproof and windproof protection. Even though it has 3-layers, the innovative fabric is incredibly lightweight while providing increased breathability, improved comfort, reliable protection and durability. This delivers the protection and performance you need while you ski, hike, travel or climb a mountain. RRP $599.95

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PET bottles used in the fabric create a polyester fibre that causes it to dry quickly. • Anti-static •Sustainable: The oyster shells are sourced from the food industry, ground into powder and mixed with plastic pellets made from recycled PET bottles.

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This page iOMerino Women's Summit Vest $160rrp Women's Velocity Sports Pants $105 rrp Women's Altitude V Neck Base Layer - Stripe $85 rrp Women's Velocity Sports Jacket - Port Royale $190 rrp Women's Velocity Sports Pants - Charcoal $105 rrp www.iomerino.com

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MD Merino Cable Beanie $59.95 MD Merino Cable Scarf $79.95 MD Riana Hood Sweater $99.95 MD 150 Merino Pant $89.95 Zamberlan 130 Crosser GTX Hiking Shoes $259.95 www.mountaindesigns.com

This page MD PrimaLoft Beanie $39.95 MD Scarf $49.95 MD Salanti LS Dress W $159.95 MD Salanti Cardigan $149.95 Salomon Ellipse 2 GTX Hiking Shoes W $239.95 www.mountaindesigns.com

MD Women's Berghaus Eco Explorer Long Sleeve Shirt $129.95 www.mountaindesigns.com

This Image by Ben Cirulis

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The Art of Winter Layering

STAYING WARM If you’re seriously into the outdoors, chances are you’ve at least heard of Merino clothing. And no doubt many of you will have some stashed in your wardrobe for when the temperature drops. But how much do you really know about it? And do you know how to get the most out of your Merino? We talked to our friends at Australian Merino outdoor and adventure clothing company ioMerino to get all the inside information on what makes a good Merino garment, and how to layer for maximum performance. Considering they’ve been in the wool business for six generations, it’s fair to say there’s not much they don’t know when it comes to wool. If you’ve ever seen a picture of the early explorers and adventurers, particularly those who explored the colder climates such as Edmund Hillary or Australia’s own Sir Douglas Mawson, you will have noticed them wearing wool. It’s always been the first choice for surviving the cold weather because it is a true high performance fabric. Back then, they

didn’t have the technology we have now though, so they had to put up with rough, itchy woollen garments that kept them warm and alive, but didn’t do them any favours in the comfort department. Thankfully, technology has come a long way, and companies like ioMerino are right at the front of that, creating their own unique Merino fabrics from the best and most sought after Merino wool in the world. Yes, Australian Merino! The first tip they offer is one a surprising amount of people overlook: underwear! “It’s amazing how many people put a whole lot of thought into what layers are going to perform best, then wear their regular undies” says Emma Michell who works in communications

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and product development at the Michell family owned business. “Those undies might be fine for everyday wear, but when you’re layering for high performance, the last thing you want is to compromise that with undies that don’t perform the same way. That’s why our boy briefs are one of our best sellers.” There’s a good reason Search and Rescue teams across the world refer to cotton as ‘Killer Cotton’, and we’re going to go out on a limb and suggest this is the last place you want to feel the affects of ‘Killer Cotton’ when you’re out and about. Merino layers also punch well above their

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weight in terms of warmth for weight. While they often feel relatively thin and lightweight, they deliver a lot more warmth than most other materials. Leggings in particular are a bit of a dirty word at ioMerino HQ. “Like a lot of people right now, I love colourful leggings” Emma says. “They’re a great way to make a statement and accessorise your outfit. Unfortunately, they’re almost never a great way to stay warm. Most fabrics, compression garments included, are not designed with warmth in mind. And in fact, they can actually make you colder, especially if they get damp. So if you’re going to be out in the cold, it pays to wear a good pair of Merino leggings.” As for the actual principle of performance layering itself, the concept is simple: a few lighter layers combined, rather than one or two thicker layers provides greater flexibility and comfort. “If you’re wearing a top and a thick, warm jacket, it’s very difficult to layer up or down for ‘in between’ temperatures. If you or the weather warms up a little, the jacket comes off and you’re down to a piece of clothing that maybe isn’t quite up to keeping you warm enough without it. Plus you get stuck carrying your heavy jacket” Emma explains. “Think of it a bit like a temperature gauge on a heater. The last thing you want is only two settings, low and high. With Merino you get a full scale of 1 to 10 and can adjust according to how you feel, and the Merino itself will breath and help you thermo regulate across a broader range of temperatures. And don’t even get me started on how much you’ll sweat up and stink if you’re wearing synthetics.” In simple terms, Merino acts a lot like the insulation in your roof, or the woollen under blanket on your bed. It can keep you warm

in the cold weather, and cool in the warm weather. On a cool morning, one Merino layer will keep you warm, but as the temperatures rises, it will breathe and temperature regulate enough to help prevent you from overheating. So a single layer will work well from cool to warm, or warm to cool. This is especially handy when the sun is out during the day, but the temperature drops rapidly as you move into a cool, shady valley or the sun sets. To get maximum performance out of your layers, ‘texture’ is the key says Emma. “You can wear pretty much any of our Merino layers combined to give you extra warmth, but for the ultimate in performance, what you’re looking to do is combine a textured fabric with a smooth one. And you don’t want them to be too loose either. Which is less flattering for some of us, I know, but more effective. But it’s all to do with how the layers trap air. So you’d wear something like one of our ribbed ‘second skin’ layers against your skin to trap a fine layer of air between you and your first layer. And then a smooth base layer against that to trap another layer of air.” It’s those layers of air which can still breathe, but offer an extra layer of insulation, that bring out the best in performance layering and help your Merino layers deliver more warmth than you’d think is possible from something so thin and lightweight. There are, of course, any number of Merino clothing companies out in the market place, so we asked Emma for some final tips on what makes ioMerino different, and what people should look for when choosing a Merino layer. “We’re the first to admit there’s lots of great Merino clothing out there. One of the most important things though is how it feels. If it’s a base layer it’s usually up against your skin,

so you want something that feels soft and smooth. We don't think you should have to choose between comfort and performance when you can have both. Unlike a lot of companies, we don’t just buy our fabrics off the shelf from who knows where using who knows what, we buy the wool from trusted sources and make our own unique fabrics here in Australia. That way we know exactly what we’re getting and so do our customers” Emma says. “Dad is a wool man through and through so he takes this stuff pretty seriously” Emma laughs. For those who care about country of origin, something that’s become increasingly important to people in recent years, you’ll be happy to know ioMerino are based in South Australia, use 100% Australian wool, knit their fabrics in Melbourne and only the ‘cut and sew’ component is done outside of the country. “Our beanies and socks are all knitted in Australia, and the rest of our range gets made in Fiji” Emma confirms. “When most people think of Fiji they probably think beaches and palm trees, but they have a great little garment industry over there, and most importantly to us, it’s all unionised and we’ve personally been to the factories we use to make sure we’re doing everything ethically and not contributing to any of the problems we see happening in other places around the world. It’s something that’s very important to us.” So there you have it, some inside information on Merino and layering from a sixth generation wool person, who also happens to be an avid outdoor lover and skier. You can find more information and of course their great range of products at ioMerino.com

These Pages: iOMerino Winter Range. Shop Now www.iomerino/womens

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Photographer: Lachlan Gardiner Gear: www.scarpa.net 046

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IN THE MIDST OF WINTER I FOUND THAT THERE WAS, IN ME, AN INVINCIBLE SUMMER - ALBERT CAMUS

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Getting Comfortable with the

UNCOMFORTABLE When we challenge ourselves outside our skills and possibly our personality and beliefs, we can become uncomfortable. Escaping that comfort zone though is all about understanding that the benefits can be high, failure is mostly limited and that it is purely fear that holds us back. By changing the way you think, getting uncomfortable can lead to the following benefits: 1. Growth - Stepping into the unknown teaches you about yourself, gives you new life experiences and tests you. 2. Pride - Even if your experience wasn't the best, it feels good to have overcome your fears. 3. Adventure - I’ve found that my success rate with new ideas is unusually high. Sure, I occasionally get a new activity or adventure that turns out to be a dud, or I actually suck at it, but once you push through the initial fears you might find something you love. 4. Escape Boredom – Challenging yourself is never boring. If you use boredom as your mark of failure rather than embarrassment or results, you can inject a whole lot more enthusiasm into your life. Leaving Your Comfort Zone- Tips for Getting Started

1. Curiosity – The more I learn, the more I realise what I don’t know. Throw away all your assumptions about what ‘might’ happen and get positively curious about what adventures can be had instead.

is a gateway to new adventures. Expand your social network and before you know it, unusual opportunities you probably wouldn’t have considered before will come up and as a bonus, you’ll have some great new friends.

2. Find a Safety Net – Bring along a person who will be supportive of you to help reduce any anxiety or stress. Flying solo can sometimes be tough starting out -make it easy on yourself from the start.

6. Break it Down – Don’t try to tackle your biggest fears all at once. My approach is to choose a small step along the way to a big decision. Try pieces of it, break it down into manageable chunks. Too difficult, break it into something more manageable and try again. If it was too easy, ramp up the difficulty and go at it. This is how I am slowly, but successfully building my skills in solo navigation.

3. Open Your Mind – Try not to label certain activities as ‘hard’ or ‘extreme’ or even as ‘exercise’ Label it as an adventure. You will find many more opportunities for exploration if you get rid of expectations. 4. Join A Group – The fastest way to find new experiences and friends. For a low price you can usually learn something completely different all while meeting new and likeminded people in an environment that respects growth and change. 5. Use Your Social Network – Social Media

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7. Accept the Nervousness – Don’t try to control how you feel. You can feel nervous or uncertain and still move forward. Just repeat to yourself that no matter what happens, you can deal with it, you always do. 8. Make Time – Discipline yourself to carve out a section of your week for exploring new ideas and adventures.

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YOUR COMFORT ZONE

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Adventure and travel have the potential to be empowering, illuminating and life changing. Watching women of all shapes, sizes, ages and colours go on their own merry adventurous way over the years has been beneficial in reminding me of this. S T ORY BY K E R RYA N N H AY E S

Ambrose Bierce (1958) once wrote, “To men a man is but a mind. Who cares what face he carries or what he wears? But woman’s body is the woman.” Despite the societal changes achieved since Bierce’s time, his statement unfortunately remains true. Let’s face it, beauty and societal fitness norms can limit the opportunities of women who can’t or won’t meet them, whether or not they are real or perceived. When it comes to getting outdoors it’s no different. If anything, after researching associated topics to write this piece being a plus sized woman in the outdoors is a rare phenomena; as if this wonderful adventure species, to date, is almost non-existent (say that in your best David Attenborough voice). At a time when women globally are seeking more ‘active’ green time and physically challenging travel opportunities these experiences can be equated with horror for the ‘plus-sized gal’. Controversial topics, where opinion is harsh and trolls abound, including: body positivity, being overweight and exercising or ‘fat people’ flying in aeroplanes, are certainly near the top of the list in deterring plus sized folks from even dreaming of heading into the big wide world of adventure and outside of their personal comfort zone. Yet I'm here to tell you they are, in droves. Meet Richelle Olsen, a 30-something with a long list of notches on her adventure belt who is currently empowering the plus sized adventure movement in Australia. Richelle’s adventures include cycling 5,000 kms from Canada to Mexico, trekking Everest Base Camp, the Inca

Trail and the Queen Charlotte Track in NZ (solo), a 25km mountain run in the Spanish Pyrenees, scuba diving in oceans and freshwater caves around the world, over 20 triathlons and a whole lot of other adventures in between. Despite all of this she describes herself as ‘just an everyday woman’. Not overly fit, often feeling like the biggest and the slowest, but from the experience she knows that you don’t need to be super fit. “You don’t need to look the part, it doesn’t matter what size you are, all you need is a sense of adventure, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone”. Trying her best to flip long held beliefs that only skinny, fit and ‘sexy’ people can get out and enjoy the outdoors, Richelle’s love for adventure has led to the development of her Escaping Your Comfort Zone (EYCZ) community where she inspires and supports other plus sized females to experience adventure without limits. A community that she believes she needed when battling with where exactly she fitted in. Her Plus-Size Women’s Adventure Revolution - as she likes to call it, is a community where plus size women can meet other women like themselves in a judgement free zone. Women who understand the challenges faced, no matter size, shape or whether wearing a brand new pair of leery leggings or their old favourite trackies. It is a chance for women to be themselves and to feel comfortable in their own skin. The EYCZ community is focused on sharing the experience; something Richelle discovered

years ago was key to maximising the enjoyment. “Sharing the trails, the awe inspiring views, the challenges along the way and the tears of achievement when you reach your goals are the key to amazing experiences. These are the things that make you want to get out of bed in the morning. I love it at the end of a hike when I announce how far we have gone (generally 5-6kms), and the look on people’s faces, with a ‘Wow, I have never walked that far before’, or ‘How did that happen, it didn’t feel like even half that distance?’ or the most common ‘I’d never walk that distance by myself’”. Richelle believes we spend too much of our lives worrying about what we should eat, how we should look, and feeling not guilty for going to the gym. “I’m turning that around to move the focus from weight loss and fitness, to simply friendship and fun in the outdoors. Adventure and travel have the potential to be empowering, illuminating and life changing. Watching women of all shapes, sizes, ages and colours go on their own merry adventurous way over the years has been beneficial in reminding me of this. I encourage all of you to not to lead a comfortable life, pushing past your fears can be tricky, but ultimately, I think it’s what life of adventure is about.” To find out more about EYCZ: www.escapingyourcomfortzone.com FB: www.facebook.com/ escapingyourcomfortzone/ Instagram: @escapingyourcomfortzone

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steps

TO STARTING your life of outdoor adventure STORY BY THUC DO

It’s never too late to cultivate a new passion. Or to rediscover an old one. For me, an old passion was my love of the big outside, a love that I can trace back to childhood car camping trips to Green Patch with the entire extended family. Today, the outdoors is still my playground; but it is also where I have found physical challenge, mental rejuvenation and the key to unlock the other loves of my life. A life of outdoor adventure offers so much. However, in our modern society, we are definitely behind screens amongst concrete more often than behind tent flaps amongst untamed bush and so it can be overwhelming to even think of hiking or kayaking for hours a day.So how do you overcome these feelings of intimidation and trepidation and start your own life of outdoor adventure? Easy. Start small and the rest will fall into place.

READ AND WATCH AS MUCH OUTDOOR RELATED MATERIAL AS POSSIBLE Living vicariously through others is the gentlest introduction and is also an easy way to lay your foundation. Choose longer-form content such as books and documentaries as they will have greater power in inspiring and calling you to act than just those pretty photos on Instagram.

Nothing can beat experience. If you are not fortunate enough to know some expert outdoorsmen, then enrolling for some formal tuition is the way to go.

You can learn the sport-specific terminology so that when it is used in context, you will totally get what’s going on instead of being like, “what’s a sweep stroke?”

This allows you to practice under a watchful eye as well as provides an open environment for questions. You are who you surround yourself with and in addition to being around those who can be teachers, you will meet likeminded individuals of similar ability with whom you can train.

The longer-form content also provides you with the behindthe-scenes, such as training history and mindset; this is not only educational but also presents a more human perspective, making the achievements feel more within your reach.

Signing up and paying for a course also means that you have committed to your life of adventure. When you have paid for something, the stakes are higher and you are less likely to bail with excuses like inconveniencing your friend or not having the right equipment.

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GO CAR CAMPING Car camping is the best initiation to camping for those who are wary of sleeping outside and the perfect opportunity to prepare for later backcountry adventures. For those who are apprehensive about camping, car camping can be more enjoyable because you can pack as many luxuries as you want. Think an actual pillow, fresh eggs for breakfast, even a case of beer! For those preparing for future backcountry trips, you can test your gear in terms of what works and what doesn’t, without the worry of being stuck overnight in the cold with a stove that you can’t figure out and a sleeping bag rated +5, not -5 degrees. In any case, your car becomes your safety net. If it turns out that you actually really hate the #camplife, you can just pack up and leave.

TAKE A HIKE What are the biggest risks faced in the outdoors? Getting injured and getting lost. When you are new to the outdoors, these risks may seem frighteningly large but you will learn that as with any other risks in life, you just need the proper skills and awareness to manage them. To ease your nerves, start off by hiking on a maintained and marked track. The terrain is likely to be less demanding but will still be great exposure to something other than a concrete sidewalk. It also means that you can just walk without worrying too much about direction. You will still get that feeling of accomplishment at the finish line, because you got there on your own two feet.

DO THE TOURIST THING. How often have you actually stopped and explored your own town, city or region? Pick some of your area’s great views and photo opportunities, most of these will be mapped out by your local tourist information centre, while you are there, check out any workshops, festivals or events happening in your region - you might be surprised. Visit your local cafes and markets for more of a gourmet day out. Grab your bike some friends and a picnic and make a day of it. By being a tourist in your own town, you will already be familiar with the area which will take the stress out of getting there, you are close to home if anything goes wrong, and you may just discover some secret gems you never knew existed.

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LEARNING THE ART OF

{Part One: Map Reading}

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LEARNING THE ART OF

{Part One: Map Reading}

One of the major excuses I hear from women not wanting to step up and lead bushwalks or outdoor adventure trips is their lack of navigation skills. A RT IC L E C A RO RYA N ( L O T SA F R E S H A I R .C OM )

Perhaps it harks back to the traditional image of a

Over this issue of TPL and the next, I’ll be covering

boy scout with a compass, or the sexist view that

off the basics of navigation, beginning with map

women are no good with maps, either way it ain’t

reading and a few other foundations, before

helpful and I beg to differ. I feel that like so many

moving into the art of navigating with a compass.

other things in life, although some people may

A really good starting place, is to think of

demonstrate a natural ability with directions (like an inbuilt GPS), it is a skill that can be learnt and mastered.

navigation as a mystery story. You are playing the role of the detective in a tale of intrigue and cunning. All around you are clues, both subtle

Why should I learn how to navigate?

and not, that if you know what you’re looking for,

Over recent years, with the development of GPS

will help you solve the mystery. Before you know

technology and the rise of ‘the device’, more

it, it will be like you’ve flicked to the last page in

and more people have been relying on their

the novel, slammed your finger down on the map

smartphones, watches or simply a handheld GPS,

and announced, ‘Aha! I know I am at point A and I

to inform their walking experience.

know the best way of getting to point B AND how

Although these gadgets can be extremely

long it will take.’

helpful, (I use them myself), there is a danger

What maps should I use?

that we all become too reliant on these pieces

The best maps for hiking are topographic (aka

of technology, without understanding their

“Toppo”) maps, meaning that they include visual

limitations and potential for failure.There’s a lot

representation of the topography or natural

more that can go wrong with a iPhone than with a

landforms for a particular area.

map and compass. In addition to these navigation

Toppo’s come in a variety of scales, with the most

aids, there’s the important skill that comes from understanding and reading landforms (as well as sun, moon and stars) and the environment around us, separate to any man-made aid.

common ones for bushwalking being 1:25,000, where 1km is equal to 4cm or 1:50,000, where 1km translates to 2cm. My first choice would always be 1:25,000, if available, as it gives lots

There’s real comfort that comes from

of good detail, especially for the more subtle

understanding our world around us in a bush

features.

setting. It gives us the ability to plan routes and

You can buy printed toppo’s from specialty maps

adventures, picking the easiest (or most scenic) way of getting from A to B and from a personal security point of view, could be the difference between finding your way home, or not.

stores, government Lands Department offices in each state or outdoor gear shops. Just note that most gear shops will only stock the most popular maps or just those for their region, so don’t rely

It’s one of the key reasons that I’m a strong believer

on picking up a map from a local store on route

that anyone who spends time in the bush should

to a trip. Not only may they not have the map you

have a basic level of map and compass skills. I feel

want, but by getting your hands on a map well

that it can not only be of practical assistance, but

in advance you can plan out your route, get a

can massively enhance your experience out there

good idea of it ‘in your head’ and think through

as you begin to see things differently.

problems or challenges that you may encounter.

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WHAT'S IN A NAME? It’s important to note that all toppo maps have a name. Although it will usually be shortened to something like, “Katoomba 1:25,000, 3rd edition,” in some circumstances, such as an emergency, it may be important to be able to refer to the map with it’s full name, eg: Katoomba, 1:25,000, 8930-1S July 2015. OK, so now you’ve got your map (I’ll be referring to the Katoomba 1:25,000 for this article), what are the basics you need to know or the clues to solving the navigation mystery that you should be looking for?

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GRIDLINES

Looking at the map, you’ll see that it is divided up into 4cm squares or grids.

these grid lines to allow you to identify a particular spot on a particular map.

These are called Gridlines collectively, or Eastings for the vertical lines and Northings for the horizontal ones. On a 1:25,000 map, the distance from one side of a grid to the other (parallel) = 1km. Diagonally across a grid is 1.4kms.

This system of numbers on Aussie maps is called Map Grid of Australia (MGA) and is based upon the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator). It is very similar to the MGRS (Military Grid Reference System).

There is a numbering system for

The series of numbers is know as a Grid Reference.

GRID REFERENCES

In bushwalking terms, a 6 digit reference (within 100m accuracy) is usually sufficient unless you’re needing to be very specific, in which case an 8 digit reference (within 10m accuracy) gives more detail. You could think of this like adding a decimal place, rather than rounding to the nearest whole number. Each gridline has a 2 digit number that is printed on the margin of the map. The space between that line and the next is broken up into 10 invisible lines, each representing 100m distance. Therefore, the grid reference for Diamond Falls on the example below is: GR 477 633.

WHAT ABOUT LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE? “Lat/Longs” is a different system of defining your location and generally not used by recreational bushwalkers or hikers. This system is more commonly found in 4WD-ing or tattooed onto Angelina Jolie’s arm. It is also used by emergency services and the military as something of a universal language in describing location. The good news is that increasingly, emergency services and 000 operators are able to accept and translate UTM/MGRS grid references to Lat/Longs for purposes such as helicopter rescues in remote locations, so don’t stress that you need to learn a second system on top of the existing one. [NB: Toppo maps include all the information needed to use the Lat/Long system and you can find out how to do so in a short video at YouTube.com/Lotsafreshair]

As government mapping agencies (or as I like to think… The GMG’s - Great Mapping gods) create new printed maps for us worshippers at the church of adventure, they take the opportunity to use the latest systems (or dark arts) to develop each one. What this can mean to us in practical terms, is that if you have someone using a 2nd edition of the same map (whilst you’re on 3rd), that the Grid Reference for a specific point may be different to each other.

MAP DATUM

This is why it’s important to ensure

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that when you’re communicating grid references you ensure that you give the correct map name (and edition) and datum used with it. You can find this information in the maps key or legend. Although this article is about navigation with a map and compass, another place where it’s important to take note of the datum of a map, is when using a GPS device or software. You need to check the settings to make sure that the correct datum is set for the map that you’re using with it.

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sublime point.

LANDFORMS

When it comes to major clues to identifying where you are on a map and working out the quickest and most efficient way of getting to your next location, being able to identify various landforms and features is absolutely essential. The great news is that it’s not hard and when you can see the relationship between the map feature and what it looks like on the ground, things will start to become clearer. Contours - Not so much a specific feature, but a way of looking at a map and working out the height of a specific point. Contours are a series of concurrent lines that run across (traverse) areas of the same height. Check your map legend to see if the contours indicate a difference in height of 10m or 20m. The key here is that the closer the lines are together, the steeper the terrain. On a map with 10m contours, you’ll note that every 10th contour line is bolded. This makes it easier to count up the elevation in 100m groupings. Cliffline - When an area becomes so steep that it becomes vertical, a cliff is formed. This is indicated by a hashed pink line and often a relative height number indicated by “90r”. Highpoint / Summit (aka The Top!) - The highest point within a given area is often (but not always) marked on a map with the altitude in metres and a small dot.

Ridge - A ridge is a geographic feature that joins a series of high points and is the local watershed. (Ie. Rain/ water flows down from this point on both sides to creeks and rivers below). It is usually the easiest way to move from one point to another, depending on vegetation. Saddle - A saddle is the lowest point between two high points on a ridge

RUINED CASTLE RIDGE AND SADDLE

Spur - A spur is a ridge that runs down to a creek or river and like a ridge, is generally the easiest route to move between creeks and high points. Gully - is a creek or watercourse that by flowing downhill has created a low point on its journey. You’ll find them between Spurs and do not always have water in them.

MEGALONG HEAD CLIFF, HIGH POINT

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Valley - is a low point/depression surrounded by a number of high points. It will commonly have a river or creek(s) flowing through it and Spurs and creeks lead down into it. Watercourse (streams, creeks, rivers, dams, lakes) - As water makes its long journey to the sea, it creates a number of different features. It’s important to note that not all water features, marked blue on maps, will always have water in them. The fainter the blue line, the less likely it is to have water in it year round. Canyon - A canyon is a narrow slot (although sometimes not narrow eg: Wolgan Valley, NSW or the Grand Canyon in the USA!) which is carved out by water over many thousands of years. It’s steep vertical rock walls help create unique environments and are home to canyoners… Along with other animals like yabbies, crayfish, etc. As water descends through a canyon, it often forms waterfalls that fall into valleys below.

Valley

Plateau

Waterfalls - Anywhere that water falls over rock cliffs. They are marked on maps by a strong blue line dissecting the watercourse. [See image previous page] Vegetation - Maps can indicate different types of vegetation from cleared farmland, swamp or rocky ground. (See map key). Man made features - Features such as walking tracks, firetrails, roads, powerlines, dams, communication towers and buildings are handy clues to help pinpoint your location. (See map key) Once you can identify these things on a topographic map, the "aha moment" comes when you see these forms laid out before you in the bush. In fact, this ability to move from map to reality, is often referred to as, ‘map to ground’ or ‘grid to ground’. All of these clues are a good part of the way to solving the mystery to navigation and no compass has been required yet.

Gully

Spur

WHATS NEXT? In part two of this article (in the next TPL) we’ll look at navigating with a compass If you’re keen to develop your skills some more, I recommend checking out Ashley Burke’s navigation website. He’s a member of the Sydney University Bushwalkers club and has developed a great resource for sharing and teaching his knowledge. http://members.ozemail.com. au/~aburke/navigation.html There’s also a whole range of events or organisations that can help you practice: Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad run the annual NavShield event (2-3 hrs from Sydney) or get in touch with orienteering clubs, bushwalking clubs, adventure race organisers or rogaining associations.

Saddle

Creek

Ridge

ruined castle.

three sisters.

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GE caching

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Discover your

INNER EXPLORER When it comes to getting outside, let’s face it, it can sometimes be difficult to motivate the kids. Across the globe however, the once relatively obscure hobby of Geocaching is breaking down some of the barriers associated with getting our little millennials, and their families, exploring new places together in the great outdoors.

t is also becoming increasingly popular with adults looking for options to escape and get more active green time.

No idea of what Geocaching actually is? Think of it as a high-tech type treasure hunt combined with elements of ‘hide and seek’. Geocaching gives a secondary objective when hitting the trails, that being using a GPS device to hunt and find hidden trinkets, adding your geocache handle, rather than your real name, to the log book of conquests and then geeking out with statistics once logged online. Who can Geocache? Anyone. The beauty of Geocaching is that it can be undertaken by people of all ages and abilities. Each cache is generally labelled with information as to whether or not it is suitable for children, what the terrain is like, any equipment that might be required to access it and much more. This means that it’s really easy to find caches that suit your family’s needs, whether you are looking for something wheelchair accessible or strollerfriendly. Caches do range in difficulty, so it can be either the perfect option to explore a new area on foot or a family activity for all ages. Kids can be actively involved in all aspects of the hunt, selecting the desired geocache targets, helping with navigation, and searching the final location for the cache itself. The encounters with plants, animals, the team work involved if they are working in a family unit and finding the treasure itself, provides many an adventure with each outing. What Are The Rules? Typically the geocache is hidden to ensure nongeocachers (“muggles”) do not find it.

Rule one, never uncover caches in front of ‘muggles’ to prevent them being stolen or damaged. Be careful sharing photos of caches’ locations to avoid spoiling the fun for other treasure hunters and finally if you remove a cache, you must leave something in its place. How Geocaching Works: Geocaching involves a worldwide network of hidden caches that can be discovered with the use of a simple GPS handheld device or smartphone, to hike to the given coordinates using the compass function. Geocachers navigate to the specific set of GPS coordinates in the area, which consist of two numbers, the latitude and longitude. The GPS receiver will guide the geocacher to that location, however the finder must still search for the treasure, within a small radius which is what makes geocaching all the more fun. We Are Looking For What Exactly? Treasures! You are looking for something that doesn’t look quite ‘right’, like an odd pile of rocks or sticks that would make a good hiding spot for a container. Typical cache treasures are not high in monetary value but are interesting to the finder. A geocache is typically a waterproof container the size of a lunch box where people leave small trinkets, coins or little toys similar to that which you’d find in a Christmas bon-bon. Caches usually contain a small logbook as well. Occasionally, you might find special items like a Travel Bug. These have tags that can be tracked via geocaching websites where the owner can log into their geocache account online and see to where it has travelled. There are a wide variety of different types of

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geocaches- the main ones being: Traditional - basic container and log sheet Multi-Cache - two or more locations that include ‘hints’ Mystery - solve clues to determine coordinates Virtual - find a landmark or location instead of container. Found the Cache - What Next? You sign the logbook with your geocaching handle and write a line or two about your find, then you are allowed to take a treasure remembering to leave one in exchange. After returning home, log your cache finds on the website. You can also decide to make your own cache and you are only limited by your own creativity. The cache will have to be submitted and approved, mainly to ensure you have the permission of the landowner and that the waypoint is not too close to a pre-existing cache. Getting Started- What Do We Need ? A mobile phone and a pen and an app, it’s literally that easy to give it a go. Suggested apps where you can register and get co-ordinates, hints, tips and easy instructions and log your finds online are geocaching.com.au and geocaching.com Essentially geocaching is a catalyst for escape, exploration and getting outside. Whether in far off places or in your own neighbourhood, it provides a tangible reason for venturing to unknown locations you more than likely would not have visited. Geocaching turns the entire day into a fun, enjoyable and memorable adventure for the little kid in all of us.

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LISTEN TO THE

WHISPERS WINTER of

Dawn was breaching through the darkness as I pulled on my running tights, thermal, beanie and gloves. From my lounge room window I could see Mt Wellington and my beloved trails covered in a thick blanket of snow. Winter has arrived! WRITTEN BY HANNY ALSTON - FIND YOUR FEET

inter training poses many challenges to all of us. Increased darkness and cooler temperatures disturb our homeostasis and require alterations to our exercising habits. Developing an understanding of the physiological changes your body goes through during winter will assist you to maintain healthy, safe and sustainable exercise routines this year. PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING WINTER Add more carbohydrates Through the door… kick off the running shoes… flick on the kettle, then head to the pantry. This increased hunger and search for nourishment is partly caused by an increased baseline metabolic rate as your body uses more energy for warmth. Furthermore, research shows that genetic changes sparked by the onset of winter are also responsible. During winter, genetic up-regulation causes your body to naturally store more adipose tissue (fat cells) and switch to greater carbohydrate dependence. No wonder I crave a big bowl of steaming porridge after a cold morning run in winter! For endurance athletes, this research suggests that our ability to efficiently burn fat for energy during winter exercise is slightly reduced. We lean towards higher carbohydrate

dependence for driving the muscles and consume greater quantities of oxygen. This can create increased lactic acid production during intense bouts of training at this time of year. To avoid carbohydrate depletion during sessions longer than sixty to ninety minutes, take a source of glucose-based energy such as a sports gel. Ensure adequate cool-downs and replace your carbohydrate stores afterwards. Add quality carbohydrate to all your meals, such as whole grains, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Be flexible Your circadian rhythm is a hormone driven process that determines your sleep & wake cycles. The average individual has an internal circadian clock that ticks on a 24hr 11min cycle. That’s right, for most of us our circadian rhythm would actually extend beyond one day if it weren’t for light. The presence of light resets our circadian rhythm so our body remains in sync with the time of day. However, in winter the shorter days and longer nights create changes to our sleep and awakening cycles, and lead to that 2pm slump hitting you a little earlier in the afternoon. Altered circadian rhythms can make clambering out of bed in the morning even more difficult and could be the reason behind lethargy on your morning run. If possible, in winter try to have days where you can allow your body to awaken naturally and shuffle

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some of your runs to periods of the day when you feel most energised. This will help to keep your stress levels reduced and enhance recovery from exercise. So turn off that alarm! Get your rest Many of us could relate to the sensation of entering winter hibernation. This is likely influenced by the increased production of the hormone melatonin, otherwise known as the hormone of darkness. Melatonin has a strong influence on the length and quality of our sleep, and is often used as an alternative to sleep medications. In individuals who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), melatonin is shown to be elevated. The moral of this story? When melatonin induced hibernation kicks in, have your daily dose of exercise, then get your ZZZs! As the body does most of our physical recovery during the earlier stages of the sleep cycle, enhancing the quality and duration of your sleep will ensure that you recuperate faster between exercise sessions. ‘Listen when the body whispers’ A study published by British and German researchers showed that over one-quarter of the genes in our body become more or less active during different seasons. This impacts on our mood, sexual behaviour, metabolism and now it appears our immune defences. Their research also suggests that genes responsible for promoting inflammation

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also become more active during the coldest winter months and are particularly elevated in Australia’s southern-most states. Whilst inflammation has an important role in healing, excessive inflammation can generate discomforts and diseases, such as the common winter ailments of arthritis and cardiovascular disease. With increased inflammation involved, perhaps niggles in our active bodies whisper louder during winter? It is critical to moderate exercise routines to avoid unnecessary injuries and sickness. One option is to see winter as an ideal time for gentle base training, building up to races in spring or summer. Furthermore, winter is the ideal time to focus energy on strength weaknesses in the body. Therefore, pre-empt the danger months by switching to aerobic base training, rehabilitation exercises and cross training. Protect the immune system with quality nutrition, sleep and self-nurturing. Don’t become chilled Physiological changes become more dramatic when your core temperature drops. To avoid this, layer thin thermal clothing ‘like an onion’. This traps warm air closer to the body and layers can be removed to help effectively regulate your temperature. However, also be aware of exposed regions of skin. When skin is exposed to cold air, vasoconstriction of blood vessels prevents excessive heat loss and helps to maintain a warm core temperature. If vasoconstriction occurs during exercise, blood flow and nerve impulses to muscle fibres in these regions is reduced. This will lead to reduced exercise performance and unnecessary

Coaching Tips: • Increase carbohydrate consumption before,

QUICK FACTS. Physiological changes:

• Increased dependence on carbohydrates • Increased fat storage • Alteration to circadian rhythms caused by decreased light exposure • Elevated melatonin levels • Inflammatory processes increase • Vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to working muscles • Vasoconstriction increases blood pressure and urination

during and after exercise. • Increase electrolyte and fluid consumption. • Layer up ‘like an onion’ and avoid fabrics with poor breathability that retain moisture such as cotton clothing. • Consider using a light-weight, wind-proof jacket to decrease wind chill. • Consider using different shoes with a more aggressive grip for muddy, winter trail running. • When possible, try exercising in the middle of the day. This will be in greater harmony with your circadian rhythm, melatonin levels and warmer air temperatures. The extra vitamin D is a bonus! • Utilise cross training on days when being outside is less appealing. This will help you to stay more consistent with your exercise routines and can help avoid overuse injuries.

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discomfort. On very cold days where the ambient air temperature has plummeted, keep the entire body warm with layers of clothing and full length garments. And wear gloves or beware the hot shower after a cold run in winter! Cold fingers that have turned numb and a pasty shade of grey will yell at you as they begin to defrost. Be prepared to pee! There appears to be a urination goblin around whenever the cold sets in. This goblin is actually a result of the vasoconstriction processes just mentioned. Vasoconstriction limits the available blood vessel space for our blood, raising our blood pressure. The increase in blood pressure then triggers the perfusion of kidney nephrons, triggering a faster release of urine into the bladder. Whilst urinating is a natural process, the combination of the increased fluid loss through urination and sweating from exercise can lead to a sneaky build up of dehydration. Therefore, during winter aim to drink more, especially electrolytes to replace your exercise and urinary losses. In summary, the onset of winter should not lead to your trail running shoes being relegated to the closet, and the bike being banished to the garage. Understanding the physiological changes that occur during winter and cold weather training can assist in making smart decisions that will keep you exercising throughout the coldest, darkest months. So layer up, listen to the whispers of your body and play hard this winter!

• Use winter as a time for addressing your weaknesses, especially your core and gluteal muscles. • Consider using winter as a time for base training in preparation for spring and summer races • If possible, try using a Compex muscle stimulator to assist with the warm up, cool down and recovery processes. They can also greatly increase muscle recruitment for strength training. • Expect to take longer to warm up. Start gently and build into your exercise session. Try beginning every run with a short walk. • Boost your diet. Eat a range of brightly coloured vegetables and protein sources, and avoid calorie deficits that place greater loads on an already slightly stressed physiological system. • Manage life stressors to enhance the recovery processes. • Get your ZZZs!

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SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO THE WHISPER OF THE WILD AND SEE JOY IN THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

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arctic D R E A M I N G {Photography by Arwen Dyer}

During the Northern Hemisphere winter of 201516, Tasmanian photographer Arwen Dyer was on the trip of a lifetime: five weeks in the wild landscapes of Norway and Iceland developing a creative project with the environment at its centre.

Aurora at Vik Beach, Lofoten, Norway 067

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Ice at Sunset, Haukland Beach, Lofoten, Norway

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been drawn to the landscapes of Norway and Iceland for some time so when the opportunity came up to explore my art and environment project as an artist-in-residence on the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, I had to make it happen.

Moonbow, SkĂłgafoss, Iceland

Sunrise at Hamnoy, Lofoten, Norway

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arctic D R E A M I N G

After extensive research and planning, and with the financial support of Arts Tasmania and a successful Crowdfunding campaign, Arwen set out on her exciting Arctic adventure.

Night at HamnĂ¸y, Lofoten, Norway

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he environmental focus of Arwen’s work in the Arctic was how we feel about climate change. Throughout the creation and sharing of her photographs, Arwen is asking questions like: what is our emotional response to the science of climate change, including the degradation of natural landscapes through mining and oil drilling, the impact of rising sea levels on fragile ecosystems, wildlife and coastal communities, and the increase of climatic extremes that cause more storms, wildfires and draughts? How do we feel when we see images of beautiful places, knowing that our collective action (consumerism, capitalism, etc.) and inaction (political, global, local etc.) are causing their imminent demise? Do we feel anger, grief, frustration and a sense of hopelessness? Is there also hope and a possibility for change? Arwen says, “as a conservation photographer/

artist who loves being in nature, my experiences in the Arctic were profound. Walking inside a glacial ice cave in Iceland, standing alongside Norwegian locals demonstrating against oil drilling, being battered by snow storms in the mountains and witnessing the majestic menace of the ocean, were just some of the moments that evoked overwhelming emotions. Deep sorrow for the current and anticipated environmental losses coupled with my fury at the inevitability of our human impact (and the apparent lack of action), which combined with my awe at the immense beauty of the Arctic landscape”. Arwen’s hope is that her photos invite the viewer to observe their own emotional responses to our changing climate and that by listening to their feelings and each other, and by gathering information, individuals will feel empowered to act further for the environment in whatever ways they can.

arctic D R E A M I N G

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The Trolls at Sunset, Iceland

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Volunteering at the

BREMER CANYON WORDS KIRSTY ALEXADER PHOTOGRAPHY KEITH LIGHTBODY

As a marine biologist who has worked and played in most of the oceans of the world, I struck gold when a population of orca or killer whales were recently sighted in Western Australian waters.

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uch sightings have not been common so this recent discovery was just as much a surprise to the world as it was to me. As a local, it gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to explore the orca in our Southern oceans right on my doorstep.

Killer Whales or orca hold a special fascination for us whether we identify with their obvious family bonds and cooperative lifestyle or are awed by their rating as the top ocean predator. I applied to work as a volunteer research assistant with the Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions joining a research team investigating the orcas. My work included taking photographs to identify them, undertaking underwater videography and making acoustic recordings as well as acting as a tour guide for the company. Bremer Bay is a tiny Western Australia south coast town surrounded by a rugged coastline and is spectacularly beautiful. UNESCO has recognized its pristine state and biological diversity by creating a Biosphere Reserve. The key to this diversity lies under the sea floor. A fuel deposit was laid down in the time of the dinosaurs with a leak releasing methane that formed ice-like reefs on contact with cold seawater. The reefs provided a food source for specialised bacteria that in turn became food for ever larger predators- a complex food web topped by the ultimate apex predator, the orca.

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Sixty kilometres offshore lies a less well

The Bremer Canyon orca are summer

A remote location and treacherous seas

known ecological treasure. Beyond the

visitors, but where have they come from?

make research difficult and expensive, a

continental shelf, the landscape of the

Bec Wellard of Curtin Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centre

problem solved by participating in the

deep ocean is riven by canyons. One of

for Marine Science aims to find out. Killer

Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions.

these canyons is different. The Bremer

whales spend their life in a family pod,

This project is a unique collaboration of a

Canyon supports a diversity of life unusual

communicating via a complex language of

whale-watching operator, a documentary

in the deep ocean. In my time here I

sounds including clicks and whistles. Each

producer and the research team.

have seen sperm whales, pilot whales,

family has a unique dialect, so recordings

Citizen scientists join expeditions daily,

false killer whales and even the largest

of the vocalizations of different families

their trip partly funding research, and

animal that has ever lived- the blue whale.

have a unique pattern of sounds.

their photographs assisting with orca

Dolphins often surrounded our vessel in

The distinctive black-and-white bodies are

pods of well over a thousand. The remains

identification.

all quite different as well. Every individual

In combining my career as a marine

of a giant squid floated on the surface, a

orca has variations in the shape of the

biologist and my love of travel and

predator of the deep, reduced to scraps,

dorsal fin, the white- eye patch, and the

discovery, I have never been more awed

squabbled over by a multitude of seabirds.

grey marking on the back so these can be

by our amazing blue planet. Travel on

Disc-shaped sunfish, some as large as a

used for reliable identification. The Bremer

the Southern Ocean is an experience in

small car, come to the surface and become

Canyon acoustic and photographic data

itself, our vessel often dwarfed by colossal

a regular inclusion on the orca menu. Every

is used to compare data from other parts

swells both dramatic and exhilarating.

Southern Ocean shark species including

of the world. A match will help solve the

Seeing so many of the oceansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rock star

the iconic great white has been sighted in

mystery appearance and disappearance of

species, unperturbed by our presence is

this rich playground of the Bremer Canyon.

the Killer Whales each year.

unforgettable, confronting all of my senses

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KILLER WHALES SPEND THEIR LIFE IN A FAMILY POD, COMMUNICATING VIA A COMPLEX LANGUAGE OF SOUNDS INCLUDING CLICKS AND WHISTLES. EACH FAMILY HAS A UNIQUE DIALECT.

and evoking the full spectrum of emotion. Orca often approach and surround our vessel, playful giants as curious about us as we are of them. The contrast is of those same orca as hunters transformed to deadly black and white missiles that rocket through the ocean, a boiling mass of bodies and blood as they make a kill. A sperm whale breaching, its 50 ton body landing in a storm of white water. An aquatic daycare of pilot whale calves, safe in the centre of a protective family. Rapt faces on board as the underwater symphony of socialising orca fills the air, all breathtaking moments captured forever in my mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye. Volunteering to work on a project that fits and fuels my passion has led to the most incredible adventure of my life, an experience with the priceless reward of new skills, friends and memories. The ultimate reward though, is the satisfaction of having contributed something positive to the world, to the understanding and ultimate protection of this unique ecosystem of the Bremer Canyon.

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track overland The

BY JANE GROVER

FROM HER NEW BOOK OUR DELICIOUS ADVENTURE R E C I PE S A N D S T OR I E S OF F O OD A N D T R AV E L .

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After spending five weeks travelling the Apple Isle the adventure that lay ahead had the potential to surpass them all, and it was both exciting and somewhat daunting to imagine. We had booked ourselves in to walk The Overland Track, something we had always wanted to do. The two of us would join a group of ten others with two guides to walk 70km of wilderness over six days and nights, and as we prepared to start we wondered - how hard could that be? Leaving the East Coast behind, we drove south-west towards Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage area, the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. We had heard stories, watched documentaries and done some research of our own on the idea of walking The Overland Track. It is one of Australia’s most famous bush treks, 65km long from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, with optional side trips to climb Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa. The Overland Track has been compared with New Zealand’s famous bush trek, The Milford Track. We had imagined how beautiful this pristine wilderness might be and we had done some training for the physical challenge ahead. I was ready and excited to capture stunning photography of this World Heritage region. However, it seems we were unprepared on every level for what we did encounter. It was more beautiful than we could have imagined, it was more physically gruelling than we had personally experienced before and the images captured offer just a glimpse of the magnificence hidden away in this grand and majestic wilderness.

unfolding with no sign of anything but wilderness beyond. It was a sobering thought to grasp that we had six days of walking ahead of us, and short of a medical emergency (where a helicopter would fly in to rescue you) you had no choice but to keep walking. We stopped for a packed lunch at peaceful Plateau Creek and then continued on for another four hours, walking around the base of Cradle Mountain down into Waterfall Valley. As we trekked this untouched landscape, you couldn’t help but revere its naked beauty. We eventually arrived in the late afternoon, at our first hut and shelter for the night at the base of a towering mountain known as Barn Bluff. We were accommodated in bunk-style rooms for two with an open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge space. Each of us were allowed a four minute hot shower (which was a total luxury), before sharing a delicious dinner (prepared by our guides). After a debrief of the days’ adventure and some information on what we could expect on day two, we were all eager and relieved to get some rest and we fell into bed.

The Overland Track has been compared with New Zealand’s famous bush trek, The Milford Track. We had imagined how beautiful this pristine wilderness might be. I was ready and excited to capture stunning photography of this World Heritage region.

We were a little apprehensive as we arrived at Waldheim in Cradle Valley early in the morning to join our group of twelve hikers, (including Mr G and I, plus two lovely guides Shelly and Kat). We had booked with Cradle Mountain Huts to do the six-day Overland Track walk, from Cradle Valley to Lake Sinclair through a variety of spectacular landscapes. Each of us was carrying a backpack weighing about 12kg, whilst the two guides both carried about 23kg each (as they were carrying extra water, food supplies and first aid). I also had my camera - which weighed another 3.4kg, which may not seem relevant but after 70km trekking, it became a dead weight, and a love/hate relationship between me and my camera ensued!

It was a hot, sunny day in early February as we departed from Waldheim to begin day one of the trek. Walking from Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut the first day was a distance of 12.7km. After walking for an hour we ascended a steep climb to Marion’s Lookout (where we had up close views of stunning Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake at its base). This is the steepest section of the whole track and a bit of a daunting start. We caught our breath, snapped a group photo at Marion’s Lookout and then carried on walking along a variety of narrow boardwalks, rocky tracks and sandstone paths. Being such a clear day, the views were magnificent and we could see the path ahead

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Day two we were up early, dressed and repacked ready to hike after a sustaining breakfast of porridge, toast and fruit. The four other couples walking with us were lovely people. Two were from Sydney, one from Canberra and the others from Hawaii. We each found our place and pace in the pack. Some wanted to walk a little faster at the front, others preferred to trail behind, and we were happy to plod along in the middle. Leaving Barn Bluff Hut, we embarked on another 12km of walking to reach Pine Forest Moor Hut. The landscape was undulating with a few sections of exposed moorlands but no steep climbs, rather plains of button grass, dotted with ancient pencil pines. The peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff were now behind us to the north and we were heading toward Mt Pelion. We stopped at a large water hole for our lunch break and a swim for those who were keen. Although it was arduous removing our gaiters, boots, socks, and clothing (behind a bush) and putting on our swimming gear, it was so refreshing to plunge into the pristine waters. This was one of the moments of this adventure I will cherish, floating in the water surrounded by stunning wilderness and thinking “I can’t believe I am here”. That evening at Pine Forest Moor Hut, we dined outside on the timber deck with views of the mountains as the sun began to set. It was quite surreal. Day three started in the same fashion as the day before. We were up early, devoured a hearty breakfast, made our own packed lunch

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and were ready to hike by half past eight. Our guides were like super women, carrying more than us, guiding our path, cooking our meals, cleaning the huts ready for the next group arriving, dressing wounds on our blistered feet and encouraging us all to keep walking and pushing ourselves to make the most of this privilege. We had a further 10km to walk on day three to make our way to Pelion Plains Hut. It was a long, slow descent around the base of Mt Pelion West down to the Forth River, where we had a break at Frog Flats to replenish our water supplies from the creek. I decided to take a toilet break off to the side of the track. On my return I nearly poked my eye out as I walked into a protruding branch of dead wood. Fortunately it missed my eye, instead scratching my cheek, and super guide Kat was able to gently remove the splinters and administer some antiseptic to save swelling and infection before we carried on. One thing we learnt on this trek was that whenever you go down into a valley, eventually you’ll have to climb back up again. We began a gentle ascent out of the valley, coming out onto the beautiful Pelion Plains with outstanding views of Mt Oakleigh. We took a side trip for our lunch break, walking down a long, grassy track adjacent to an old copper mine, until we arrived at a well-hidden, glistening creek. It was a hot day and we were offered another opportunity to swim, which we took, although getting into the water was not as accessible as the day before and the water temperature was glacial. We arrived at Pelion Plains Hut in the afternoon to freshly baked muffins and a pot of tea (I told you they were super-guides). These delights distracted us from our weary bodies and aching feet.

the way back down the mountain would possibly disagree. We spent half an hour at the summit drinking in the view and feeling a sense of accomplishment that we had made it to the top. Once we descended from Mt Ossa, we still had a further two hours to walk and we were very weary now. About half an hour out from the hut that afternoon, Mr G made this statement: “If anyone ever asks me how was it walking The Overland Track - I am going to say it was hard, bloody hard!” Then we both succumbed to delirious laughter, as we dragged our bodies and packs the last bit of the way. It was a welcome sight to see the hut, a refuge and place to take off our packs and boots, eat a warm meal and rest our weary legs. Day five arrived and we set off for another 9km of walking through grand forests with a couple of side trips to majestic waterfalls, before making our way to Windy Ridge Hut. Our legs were still forgiving us for our epic Mt Ossa adventure the day before, and although this was an easier day of walking distance-wise, it turned out to be a one of the most challenging days of the journey mentally. Vibrant wild flowers appeared along this part of the walk, creating beautiful pops of colour. After a lunch break and an ice-cold water foot soak at one of the waterfalls, we continued on, descending beside the spectacular Falling Mountain and onto Windy Ridge Hut. It was our final evening together and we were all beginning to feel a sense of relief and satisfaction creep in at the thought of completing The Overland Track the following day. It also happened to be our 24th wedding anniversary – we celebrated with cake and our ten new adventurous friends. Ironically the nature of this epic walk we were on, shared many similarities with the journey of marriage, challenging and rewarding, gruelling at times and yet euphoric in other moments and overall so worthwhile.

As we trekked this untouched landscape, you couldn’t help but revere its naked beauty. Our first hut and shelter for the night was at the base of a towering mountain known as Barn Bluff.

On day four we were destined for an easier day of walking, just 7 km to Kia Ora Hut. However, if the weather conditions allowed it, there was an optional side trip (a five hour detour) to climb Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak of 1617metres (5,305 ft) above sea level. The craggy summit of Tasmania’s most formidable peak promises to reward the climber with 360 degree views of Tasmania’s north west and on a clear day you can see for kilometres. It was a clear day for us and we were given the green light to take the option to climb Ossa. It was one of those life moments where your body says “no thanks” but your competitive spirit and your adventurous self offers up the argument “this might be the only chance you get to do this, you’ve come this far, surely you are not going to miss this” – and so yes, you guessed right, we climbed Mt Ossa. It was a hard, steep, treacherous climb in parts and at one moment I even felt panic set in when I looked down and saw how high we actually were, as we scrambled over boulders in pursuit of the summit. I still recall the thought in my head – “Why are you doing this to yourself, Jane?” However, reassured by Kat and Mr G, I persisted. The beauty of the tarn (a mountain lake or pool contained in a deep bowl created by glacial erosion) at the summit and the magnificent views from the peak did make the effort invested very worthwhile, although my knee joints on

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From Windy Ridge Hut there was a final 9km to walk to the finishing line at Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake. On this last day we walked through cool, temperate eucalypt forest with native birdsong surrounding us. We crossed over a long suspension bridge and walked a further hour (although some of the more eager ones in our group decided to run the last stretch) and arrived at the wharf on Lake St Clair. A celebratory swim followed as we ate our lunch together in the sunshine and waited for the ferry to pick us up and transport us across Lake St Clair to the shores of Cynthia Bay. We bid farewell to our fellow walkers and our two guides Shelly and Kat who we will always be thankful for. As we returned to our car, to the road and the civilised world, we felt an immense gratitude for the privilege of this experience and an unwavering respect for the wilderness and those who work to preserve it. Although we were glad to be free of our packs and boots, eager for a long hot shower and a comfortable bed, there was a part of us that longed for the silence and simplicity of the mountain once more.

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Wild Women On Top

JOIN US FOR A WILD ADVENTURE

Travel to amazing places, experience magical moments and build life long friendships... we are the tribe for you.

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Challenge yourself for a good cause

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Sevan Apartments Forster is known and loved for its commitment to classic sleek apartment accommodation. We offer guests their own private space, a place to simply relax after a day of exploring.

Come to the Great Lakes for your next holiday adventure and stay at Sevan Apartments

Each apartment has been designed and furnished with elegance and style, all having the comforts of home and heaps of room to stretch out. Centrally located, Sevan is an ideal base for exploring the beautiful and unique Great Lakes Area, and is centrally located for those of you participating in many of the active events the region has to offer.

Your home away from home...

Reservations 02 6555 0300 | sevan.com.au 080

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travel

Weekender THE

THREE YEAR

A weekender is sometimes all we need to find ourselves again – but what if you never wanted to come home? Time away from our busy lives and our screens allows us to reboot, recharge, reconnect and relax, especially when that time away is with nature, with a hint of adventure. That’s what drew us in.

WRITTEN BY LISA MURPHY - BIG HEART ADVENTURES

or nearly three years during our twenties, hubby and I took to the road with a 1973 Millard Caravan and our labrador, searching for simplicity and instead finding a total lifechange. We were tired of coming home our weekends and returning to the same old grind. Living to work not working to live. Was this what life was meant to be for the rest of our lives? (Shudder) We wondered what it would feel like to travel forever and just work when we needed to. Like nomads. So we quit our secure jobs, rented out our heavily mortgaged unit, sold our cars, bought a second hand 4WD and put our stuff into storage. It felt wrong, very wrong and incredibly risky. Our bills back home were still there each month, and now we also had a huge car loan as well as our ongoing living expenses – could we do it? But soon enought, it began to feel very, very right. No housework - I had 3 years off vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms (well unless it was in a paid role). No Monday to Friday routine. We didn’t have a lot to think about or hurry to do. No commitments to sport, family, friends or work deadlines. Our life pace slowed right down. We worked in jobs that gave our brains some much needed switch-off time after leaving high pressure roles. We found ourselves fruit picking, cleaning, gardening, stocking shelves, and we budgeted. Hard. We worked out precisely what we needed to keep things going at home and to keep us going on the road. Sometimes we worked

two jobs to earn ourselves six or eight weeks off to explore new places or move to the next ‘job’ spot. The fresh air each day and not working in an office was something new and vibrantly refreshing. We had a spreadsheet that we “balanced” at the end of every month to ensure we were OK to move on to the next destination, or we continued in the jobs we had and saved enough to travel. Every dollar counted. I even gave up barista coffee and started using a thermos. We became minimalists. Some of the things we did along the way were ridiculous, adventurous and well, some things were just not smart; like running out of fuel in the middle of the outback - in summer. But, we learned a lot of things about farming life, drought, indigenous culture and of course how to live on a very small budget and somewhat adventurous lifestyle. So considering we didn’t rely on any income support and worked low paid jobs, how did we do it? Following the Harvest Trail to know where/ when the work was happening allowed us to plan where we needed to be or aim for on the map with work opportunities. Handwashing our laundry when staying in caravan parks saved us on laundry fees. Driving at a lower than maximum speed while towing a van saved us money as we had better fuel economy. Truckies hated us. We didn’t care. Fuel in remote areas is a lot more expensive than suburbia. The $5 dinner – this sounds insane but our evening meal had a $5 budget – for both of us. We ate a lot of sausages, mince, rice,

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vegetables and pasta. We called home brands our “Homeboys” and they in turn, became our friends. The generator – we purchased one for just over $100 halfway through our journey and this was invaluable in keeping us out of campgrounds and caravan parks where you had to pay to stay – even for unpowered sites. When we worked out we were only paying for a shower, we gave up those too. We could literally pull into remote areas for overnight stops, use our own water to bathe and start up the generator. Free/low cost campsite books are worth their weight in gold. These little beauties take on a few names and they can be purchased from book shops and retailers. It’s amazing how many state forests and parks offer free or very low cost campsites, including overnight roadside spots. Because we were travelling with a dog, it was hard for us to use National Parks, but they also offer cheap camping options too. The hardest thing for us, was of course coming home. We hadn’t escaped that bit. funny that! I think it’s called reality. Unpacking, getting mortgage paying jobs again, reconnecting with family and friends and returning to the “routine” was an adjustment. We returned to the city a bit more grown up, life educated and culturally enriched. After all, travelling offers so much to learn and gee, did we meet some interesting people along the way! Barista coffee made a comeback (with a vengeance). We remain minimalists, but more importantly we remain adventurers.

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RED CENTRE WALK NORTHERN TERRITORY

10th - 16th July 2017

Book

NOW PLACES ARE LIMITED

HERE AT TRAVEL PLAY LIVE WE LOVE TO EXPLORE ALL THE GREAT OUTDOORS HAS TO OFFER.

TPL TRAVEL.

From overnight bushwalks through the iconic Blue Mountains to sailing in luxury on the crystal waters of Tahiti, we aim to bring you unique travelling experiences with a touch of Travel Play Live sparkle. Head to our website and discover your next adventure: www.travelplaylive.com.au/travel

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Enquires to: travel@travelplaylive.com.au

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travel {Travel Play Live}

2016 -17CALENDER Red Centre Walk.

10TH JULY – 16TH JULY 2017, NT This guided walking tour samples the highlights of the very heart of Australia. The rich reds of the ochre cliffs and rocky gorges contrast with the azure skies. Brilliant greens dot the outback landscape and the startling whites of the ghost gums reflect into crystal clear waterholes. You’ll hike at well known Uluru, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kings Canyon. Then experience the lesser visited places such as the Larapinta Trail and West MacDonnell Ranges. Learn about the area’s rich Aboriginal heritage and see a range of unusual wildlife. The 7 day tour starts and finishes in Alice Springs.

JULY 2017 SAIL CROATIA & MONTENEGRO

14TH TO 29TH JULY 2017

Join Travel Play Live and Mariner Boating for this stunning Mediterranean Rally Adventure of Montenegro, south of the well know sailing destination of Croatia. Beginning in the famous walled city of Dubrovnik sail north to Sipan, Kobas, Ston and Mljet before sailing south to exit Croatia in Cavtat then on to explore part of Montenegro in the Gulf of Kotor. Cycle option in Montenegro is available as apart of this tour.

SEPTEMBER TPL CAPE TO CAPE

28TH SEP – 5TH OCT 2016 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

This is not just a walk...it’s an experience like no other! Breathtaking views, great company, friendly and knowledgeable guides, a little indulgence mixed with a little adventure and as always, lots of laughs. In conjunction with Adventurous Women

OCTOBER

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yacht rally

sail your next

adventure

www.marinerboating.com New Caledonia • Cuba • Spain • Croatia • Montenegro • Italy • Greece • Tahiti 084

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HEART to HEART Mothers and Daughters Journey

S T ORY BY K E R RYA N N H AY E S

As a woman and a mum, seeing the effects first hand of poverty and the devastating human toll it can take on communities, it’s difficult to return home without being changed. I know I am not alone after such experiences when I say, you go on with life but you do your best to support, inspire or create ongoing positive change, whether that be within your own family, community or given the opportunity, worldwide. It is for these reasons Heart to Heart, a program originating in our home town of the Great Lakes NSW has had such a profound effect and impact on our relatively small regional community. The charity program works with at risk local teenagers, and via its art inspired adventure initiative, the empowerment of women, children, and communities in Vietnam; causes close to our Travel Play Live heart.

those less fortunate. The program has been transformational for all involved.

Founder Donna Rankin, an artist and humanitarian began the project to empower young girls who had faced challenges in their lives, after her own journey began with a broken heart.

Embarking on the unknown, twenty-six mothers and daughters from across Australia shared the common knowledge that immense generosity flows from their communities in support of their fund raising efforts for the Trung Tam Bao Tro Em Vung Tau Centre for the Social Protection of Children.

“When I lost my beautiful daughter Shannon, I was disengaging from life and slipping away from reality when a friend encouraged me to use my art to reach out to young people in our local schools who were needing help and support. Although this was daunting at the time I created a program that would increase selfesteem using art as the conduit. I found myself amongst kindred spirits with these young people. I also found that my art-based program was making positive changes in their lives. I was approached by the School Principal to expand my program. I came up with a ‘crazy’ idea and from there Heart to Heart was born.” Now three years into the project, Heart to Heart and Donna, has the widespread support of the community, including those from educational bodies, social workers, police and teachers, and have given young teens in our area an incredible opportunity. Part of that opportunity is to gain self-confidence, compassion and personal growth through an incredible humanitarian travel experience to Vietnam and the chance to make a world of difference to

The most recent addition to the program, ‘Heart to Heart Mothers and Daughters’ came from Donna’s very strong feeling that the already established program in Vietnam would not only be a great experience for teens but also a bonding one for mothers and daughters, one she believed would be life changing.

My Houng Le, the woman in charge of the Vung Tau Centre has been a major inspiration to Donna. Having overcome great challenges in her life, she is an ‘Operation Baby Lift baby’, handed to an Australian family during the Vietnam War. She has dedicated her life to the vulnerable children in her care. SOME OF THE TEAMS TOUCHING EXPERIENCES. Holly To travel with twenty-six women of varying age, expertise, background, ideals and experiences was unimaginably humbling. I had only ever traveled with family and close friends; people who shared a somewhat similar world view. The older women brought the warmth, wisdom and sheer freedom that only a mature woman can truly have and the younger ones brought infinite fresh perspectives, laughter, and the exuberance of first experience. The most magical part for me though, was

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visiting Vung Tao School and Orphanage. I met children who have next to nothing but are some of the happiest children I have ever met. My Huong Le After having spent a few days with the group I was left overwhelmed and deeply touched by the sincerity, kindness and generosity shown towards the staff, our children and myself. As a result of all the fundraising and hard work our children at Vung Tau centre are now able to sleep in comfort as they have new mattresses. Sibella The most memorable part of our trip was undoubtedly that I was actually able to share such a soul changing experience with my beautiful daughter Georgia. Every moment was incredibly precious for me. I was terrified and anxious about whether I was well enough physically or mentally to travel anywhere after surviving recent brain surgery. I felt healthy enough to travel under any conditions and I felt strong enough to cope with whatever I may have to endure but nothing prepared me for the rollercoaster of raw feelings and deep emotions that I felt after spending time at the orphanage and school. They gave me back my sense of being; they filled my damaged heart with strength, they restored my belief in life’s simplicity, and reminded me of unconditional love and true kindness. For more information on Heart to Heart contact Donna Rankin at: art_ heart28@hotmail.com, Or go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ hearttoheartaustralia Heart to Heart is a project of Great Lakes Community Resources.

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nour ish BEEF AND BEAN NACHOS WITH GUACAMOLE A healthier take on your traditional nachos, it’s great for a casual nibble or as an easy, nutritious family favourite - everybody loves this nachos! SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp coriander seeds 1/2 tsp cloves 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 large green chillies, deseeded and finely sliced 1 tsp paprika 500g beef mince 2 tbsp tomato paste 400g can diced tomatoes 400g can red kidney beans, drained 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped

METHOD 1. Place the cumin seeds, coriander seeds and cloves into a dry frying pan. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until toasted and fragrant. Cool slightly, then grind the spices using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. 2. Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and chilli, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the ground spices and paprika to pan, cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the beef mince, increase the heat to high and cook until browned, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon as it cooks. 3. Add the tomato paste and cook a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, parsley and 1 cup (250ml) water. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. To assemble the nachos, arrange a bed of corn chips onto individual

TO SERVE 230g bag corn chips 2 cups guacamole 1 cup (250ml) mild tomato salsa 1/2 cup (125ml) natural yoghurt (european or greek style) 2 green shallots, finely sliced, to serve

serving plates or a large platter. Layer the beef and bean mixture over the corn chips, then top with the guacamole, salsa, yoghurt and shallots. Serve straight away. Note: If you want more kick in the beef mixture leave the chilli seeds in, or for extra heat, use 2 small red chillies with seeds. You can use one cup (200g) dried kidney beans, soaked overnight then boiled for 30 minutes, in place of the canned beans, if you like. The beef mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. V option: Omit the beef and double the kidney beans. Add kernels from 3 raw corn cobs for the last 10 minutes of cooking. GF option: Use gluten-free corn chips.

Kidney Beans

SPECIAL THANKS

with their shape and dark red skin, are named for their visual resemblance to a kidney. Dried beans, have the highest protein content of all plant-based foodstuffs, offering many benefits, including the absence of fat, which helps prevent heart disease and obesity. Extremely rich in fibre, like all of its cousins in the bean family, kidney beans also have a high level of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and folic acid (vitamin B9). High in potassium and low in sodium, kidney beans have natural diuretic properties. Raw or dried kidney beans contain a toxin which is destroyed by boiling for at least ten minutes, therefore the beans must be boiled prior to slow cooking to avoid poisoning.

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APPLE CRUMBLE A healthy, high fibre winter warmer, this fruit crumble is one of our favourite winter comfort foods. We have developed a bit of a habit of eating leftovers cold or warm for breakfast! I love to use fuji apples in this recipe as they give the dish a beautiful natural sweetness, meaning you don’t have to add sugar when cooking the fruit. SERVES 6 NUTRITION V

INGREDIENTS 1 kg apples (I leave the skin on, but you can peel if you like) 1 cinnamon stick juice of 1 lemon natural yoghurt (european or greek style) or pure cream, to serve crumble topping: 1 cup (85g) rolled oats ½ cup (45g) desiccated coconut 1/4 cup (25g) wheatgerm 1/4 cup (25g) LSA mix (see note) 1/4 cup (45g) rapadura sugar (or brown sugar) 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp chia seed 100g butter, softened to room temperature, chopped

METHOD 1. Cut the apples into quarters, remove the cores and then slice each quarter into even sized chunks. Place apples and cinnamon stick into a large saucepan. Pour the lemon juice over, than add enough water to cover (about 4 cups). 2. Cover and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, uncover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the fruit is tender. Turn off the heat, and cool in the cooking liquid (this helps to retain all the goodness and natural sugars, keeping the sweetness of the fruit without adding extra sugar). 3. Preheat the oven to 160ºC (140ºC fan forced).To make the crumble topping, combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and use your fingertips to rub in until evenly combined. 4. Place the fruit (with some of the cooking juices) into a 6 cup capacity ovenproof dish, or 6 one cup capacity individual ramekins Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit. Bake for 30-40 minutes or 20-30 minutes for individual ramekins, until golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them as they cook to make sure they don’t become too brown on top. Serve with a dollop of natural yoghurt or pure cream. Note: LSA is a combination of ground linseed, sunflower kernels and almond meal. It is available from health food shops and most supermarkets. It should be stored in the fridge once opened. For information on rapadura sugar see page 18 and chia seed see page 40. GF option: Use gluten-free oats

cinnamon

SPECIAL THANKS

is a spice obtained from the inner bark of cinnamon trees. It can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes and comes in two forms; cinnamon bark which is known as a cinnamon stick or quill, and as a ground spice. Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, fibre, iron and calcium. When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

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The number one

PIECEonOF ADVICE number twos

BY KERITH DUNCANSON PHD FROM GUT FEELINGS

You’re not alone in your search for the nearest loo! It’s not something anyone is inclined to talk about on the first day of a walking trek, bike adventure or the starting line of an event we have been preparing for several months in advance, but it’s something nearly everyone is thinking about. “Will I make it through this without some sort of embarrassing accident”? “Will my gut pain spoil my trip?” “Will I spend so much time looking for a loo that I won’t make the most out of my adventure?” No matter whether you are a “weekend warrior” or elite athlete, the “runner’s trots” is a worry, and one that is made worse by worrying! Even those with “iron guts” at normal times can succumb to tummy upsets on the first day of an event and for those who suffer IBS symptoms all the time, the concern about the “trots” can outweigh concerns about achieving our personal goals or making it memorable for all the wrong reasons. Despite being annoying, the fact that most of us have digestive system responses to the stressors identified by our brain is quite understandable. It’s partly why the enteric “gut” nervous system is fondly termed the “second brain”. What goes on in the brain affects the gut and vice-versa as if they are hotwired together. Add in a good dose of event day adrenaline and well, you know what can happen! Modifying your diet to cut down on fructose (fruit sugar), lactose (milk sugar) and some other specific foods that are high in fermentable carbs (FODMAPs) could help to decrease bloating and wind before or during your next physical challenge and reduce the risk of the “trots” on race day. Here are my tips for minimising risk of the dreaded event day diarrhoea and maximising opportunity to

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tick another event off your bucket list! In the days leading up to your next adventure, consider... 1. Adequate hydration using low FODMAP fluids – at least two litres of water, weak tea, peppermint tea, cranberry juice, maybe a sports drink (but not if it contains fructose) 2. AVOIDing all other fruit juice, some herbal teas (high FODMAP) and coffee (if it stimulates your bowel – you will know if it does) 3. Replacing usual high fibre wheat cereals with lower FODMAP, low fibre, high carb foods (to fuel up). Suggestions include low FODMAP breads (low wheat, some sourdoughs), baked potatoes, rice, bananas, lactose free milk, lactose- free yogurt and up to two cupfuls or pieces of low FODMAP fruits (banana, grapes, orange) 4. You can slightly reduce protein portions before the event to make space for a little more carbs, as protein is not as necessary in event preparation 5. Checking sports gel ingredients – AVOID those that contain fructose (glucose and dextrose are fine) – a small stash of jubes or jelly babies could be a better option 6. Test out gels and sports drinks in training, but also be mindful that your tummy will be more sensitive on the big event day On the day of your next adventure, consider... 7. Having a light low FODMAP snack at Travel Play Live 090

least two hours before the event (or as a late supper if the race is really early) 8. Aiming to consume about 200 calories per hour throughout the event to fuel your muscles and brain 9. Fuelling up on glucose lollies, bananas, fructose free sports drinks or gels and AVOID snacks or drinks that contain fructose or fruit juice 10. Aiming for at least 500ml of fluids each hour for events longer than one hour After your next adventure, consider... 11. Re-fuelling within the 30 minute “glycogen window” to minimise risk of infection or injury. A snack that contains a mix of carbs and protein will do the job best – say a fruit & nut bar, yoghurt or smoothie drink 12. Celebrating your achievement however you like to!! Note: Alcohol slows recovery but most are low in FODMAPs! I sincerely hope this article helps increase your confidence going into the next major physical challenge that you have planned. If you are brave enough to share with me any feedback about your past or future experiences, or ask further questions about “bowels on the run” please don’t be embarrassed, I am used to talking about poo! Contact me E: kerith@helpyourself. com.au FB: Gut Feelings Twitter: @GutKerith

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TRAVEL PLAYreLIVE ctory

WOMEN'S ADVENTURE DIRECTORY A network of adventure groups and active individuals dedicated to creating new friendships and helping all women add zest to their lives

MUST DO EVENTS Tick off your bucket list and discover your wilder side with our hand picked recommendations

SOCIAL SCENE All the latest news from our Aussie adventure girls in action

COMPETITIONS AND GIVEAWAYS Winners and grinners

TPL DIRECTORY Look no further for all your adventurous needs & desires

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DISCOVER YOUR WILDER SIDE

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Bigfoot Snow Trail. Type: Walk / Run Location: Falls Creek Resort Victoria Date: 17th September 2016 www.snowtrail.com.au A unique and spectacular event offering both a SnowMarathon and a SnowSprint event in Victoria’s beautiful Falls Creek Resort. Enjoy the magic of winter as you make your way across the high plains, exploring solo or with friends. The first of its kind event for Australia geared toward trail runners or anyone with a love of adventure or a desire to get out into the high country. The event is a “go as you please event” allowing participants to self determine when to employ their snowshoes, spikes or just continue in their running shoes.

WILDSIDE ADVENTURE RACE Type: Adventure Racing Location: Bulahdelah NSW Date: 1st - 2nd October 2016 www.wildsideadventurerace.com.au For those intrepid souls who have the true spirit of adventure or in another time would have been explorers. Over 12, 24 or 36 hours, racers will use map, compass together with their own wits and skills to navigate their way over an unmarked route by mountain biking, paddling, trekking, orienteering, trail running, and maybe a few other surprises through the majestic Mid North Coast of NSW.

WILD WOMEN ON TOP COASTREK 2017 Type: Walk - 30km & 60km Location: Sydney, Melbourne & Sunshine Coast Date: Various Dates Registrations Open: September 1st 2016 www.coastrek.com.au Challenge yourself and your teammates with this great new adventure. Soak up some of Australia's most spectacular coastline at our various events. Explore its magic rugged coastline, spectacular bays, nature trails, and historic sites all the while completing an incredible personal challenge with your friends while restoring sight.

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BODY POSITIVE IN THE MEDIA

SHE WENT WILD EXPO Type: Women's Adventure Expo Location: Gasoline Motor Garage, in Sydney Date: 6th November2016 www.shewentwild.com Australia's first Outdoor & Adventure Expo dedicated to Women. The event will showcase some of the worlds best adventure brands in an inspiring environment with hands on demonstrations and talks from pioneers and professional athletes alike. The event is partnering with the One Girl charity. A proportion of ticket sales will go to the inspiring team that help to raise funds to improve the education and fundamentally, the lives of young girls in developing countries. Empowered women empower women, and we're very proud to help this inspiring charity. Make sure you're a part of this incredible event by booking your ticket at She Went Wild today! Proudly Supported By Travel Play Live

Type: Media & Culture Conference Location: NSW Uni - Sydney NSW Date: 15th October 2016 www.bodypositive2016.com Body Positive in the Media is Australia’s first media and culture conference that explores the development of the body positive movement and how it has impacted the way we communicate with women in the health, beauty and lifestyles industries. As consumers in the fitness, beauty and lifestyle marketplace become increasingly selfeducated, liberated and connected through social media platforms; the ideals of beauty and health are not only changing, if mis-communicated, they can destruct a brand overnight. The global body positive movement and campaigns such as #thisgirlcan #effyourbeautystandards #BodyImageMovement #ImNoAngel #WomenNotObjects #choosereal, are rewriting the rule book on how to communicate with women. This is not a fad, catch phrase or fleeting trend to be exploited. It is evident is has become an established platform of activism. Brands and business within these industries are starting to acknowledge this phenomena can impact their brand reputation and bottom line if disregarded. We are now in search of the new rule book. The event producers have gathered Body Positive thought leaders and innovators to offer their insight into this cultural evolution. This 2 hour events aims to help the audience understand the new psychology of their target market by offering the line up of Keynote Opening ‘The Rise of the Feminine Rebel’ by Emma Chalmers and guest panel for discussion and Q&A. Emma Chalmers - Keynote Presenter. Panellists: Taryn Brumfitt - Body Image Movement, Ruth Lewis Jones - Choose Real Campaign, Christine Morgan - Butterfly Foundation, Leah Gilbert - Body Positive Athlete, Amy Heague & Kerryan Hayes - Travel Play Live.

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SOCIALSCENE PORT TO PORT MTB RACE Su Pretto and Lauren Renshaw after a stage of the recent Port to Port four day MTB race in the Hunter. Su and Lauren competed for the 2nd time this year and finished 11th and 12th respectively overall in an elite field with Su winning her category. Both ladies train and race MTB and adventure races together regularly.

Brigidine College Outdoor Program. Brigidine College has a great outdoor education program. Pictured here with coach Barbara Hill from Bold Horizons in preparation for the Hillary Challenge - a fantastic outdoor team competition aimed at developing leadership, environmental stewardship, resilience, creativity and the ability to work together in young people open to any school or community group. Teams comprise four people, aged from 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 years.

THE ULRA-TRAIL AUSTRALIA The Ulra-Trail Australia, what can we say that the thousands of photos didn't capture? This event catered to every level of running ability and brought friendship, huge smiles and a huge sense of achievement to all who conquered the mountains.

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Bold Horizons. For women of all ages that are keen to learn or improve their bush orienteering skills WOW was perfect! The TPL girls focused on learning key orienteering skills and getting in some private, non-competitive practice with Barbara Hill from the Bold Horizons team, www.boldhorizons.com.au and are now regularly participating in rogaining, orienteering and adventure racing events.

TANDEM SKYDIVING

ROAD TRIPPIN'

Avid TPL supporter Bernie has loved rediscovering her passion for adventure. She has recently decked out her van as the ultimate camper, has taken up MTB and then

I recently flew to Oregon via San Francisco to stay with my mountain bike loving/ snow boarding son and his partner. Having read Sheryl Strayed’s Wild and having watched the film prior to walking the Great

for Mother’s day this year, her kids got her the ultimate gift – a tandem

Ocean Road trail in 2015 with Travel Play Live, I was chuffed to find that they’d driven me to where the trail crosses the road on Mt Jefferson, Oregon. The clouds and sleet obliterated the surrounding mountain but we walked nevertheless, relishing the fact that Sheryl had walked on this trail. A few weeks later on a road trip through the Columbia River Gorge we saw the bridge where she ended her expedition. We topped off a great day with a viewing of the film and a glass of red or two! Sue Goodison.

skydive! Go Bernie!

Underwater Circus.

Anyone know where we can sign up for an underwater circus? Maya Santangelo, popped this shot of contributor Rosie Sheba playing around at the USS Liberty Wreck, Tulamben Dive Site, Bali.

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“SHE WAS FREE IN HER WILDNESS. SHE WAS A WANDERESS, A DROP OF FREE WATER. SHE BELONGED TO NO MAN AND TO NO CITY” - ROMAN PAYNE, THE WANDERESS

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Photographer: Lisa Fox

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