Less than an hour’s drive away is the scenic Wild Dog Mountains.  Like it’s name the terrain is pretty “wild” with only a few trails. 

Driving cautiously through the mist along a badly rutted dirt road I was relieved to arrive at the pretty campsite.  Kangaroos and wallabies were casually grazing amongst the picnic tables. The sun peeked out behind heavy dark clouds. Everything was glistening from the recent rains.  No other campers – yay! 

This was going to be my first experience of camping out alone.  I didn’t want to share the campsite with others. 

Most people would not celebrate their birthday by camping and walking in the mountains alone. 

As I get older (ok, I’m now well over 50 !!) I’ve felt the need to explore my own strengths and to reach deeper into my true self.   Learning to set up camp, being responsible for my own safety rather than rely on Rowan is an important step in growing my confidence. To see what I am really capable of ! 

Walking in solitude in the mountains I find a peace that grounds me.  It strengthens me – physically, mentally and spiritually.  I realise my essence is connected to the mountains and to walking rugged mountain landscapes.  

Eating my dinner I looked up to see a sugar glider scampering down the tree getting it’s evening meal. What a treat to watch it forage under the bark and then dart to another tree its large eyes glowing from my torch light. 

Clouds blew over and opened a world of stars, such a sky full, I could not even locate the southern cross.   I could hear animal noises during the night, probably possums and wombats. It wasn’t frightening, rather it was reassuring to know nature was around me and not impacted by my presence. 

The next morning it took almost 2 hours to pack up and get ready for my walk. I was a little distracted with birthday messages and deciding what to leave in the car versus carry in my backpack.   Essentials to carry were the PLB (emergency Personal Locater Beacon) and substantial first aid kit.  Food for the day and the tea thermos of course!  

Being mindful that I was walking alone, I choose a safe route which took me along a fire trail that was relatively easy walking.  It finished with a short bush track to a look-out view over the spectacular wilderness area of the blue mountains.  At 10km, I turned around and retraced my steps back.   

It felt surreal walking through the misty forest. A lyre bird called and then switched to other bird calls, repeating the 6 or 7 songs over and over again – I felt I was in an auditorium of birds.  

The extensive recent rains had created streams crossing the road and small waterfalls down the banks.  The sound of water added to the beauty of the experience.  There is grace in the eucalyptus forests, a sense of time captured in this moment.   A strong feeling arose, but not so much arose as filled every cell in my body – I felt so blessed.  Blessed to be walking, soaking in the natural beauty of these mountains, blessed to be alive, blessed to be me. 

The campsite was empty when I returned and I realised I’d been alone for 24hours.  

A precious experience.

Margaret, May 2022.