GETTING ON TRACK
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Setting out...at last!!

20/5/2017

25 Comments

 
Setting off, squeaky clean, freshly shaven and a tidy haircut.
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Getting from Healesville to Cooktown was certainly a lot faster than the return trip will be. A bit over an hour to the airport, a four-hour direct flight to Cairns and then a 45-minute flight to Cooktown vs 300 or so days according to my plan.


After touching down in Cooktown the first order of business was to pick up some butane/propane canisters from the camping store, and then find somewhere to stay for a couple of nights. With those things achieved, I strolled along Cooktown's main street to find the BNT starting point.


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Whilst I was at it, I thought I'd soak up some of the Cooktown charm.
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I was keen on seeing a bit more of Cooktown before setting off on the BNT, so the next morning I hiked the Scenic Rim Trail. A brisk 10 kms or so to blow the dust off my hiking feet and take in some amazing views.
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I set out on my first day on the Trail at 5:15am. Sunrise was 6:30am, so I left town under the cloak of darkness. It was relatively cool, with a nice southerly breeze which made for a pleasant start. I was lucky enough that it stayed this way for most of the day - except that " nice southerly breeze" turned into a bastard head-wind, with my pack acting as a sail.

It was on one of my hourly rest stops that a slither of reception allowed a text from my wife to come through. It said "Enjoy your first day!! Remember, it's just a walk in the park."
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I'd just passed this sign and took a photo to include it in a witty reply text to Beth, "Annan River National Park in fact", but no reception. I walked on but the opportunity for my witty repartee was missed.

Day one was a big 32.7 kms walking through a number of National Parks and taking in some great scenery.
I arrived at my designated camp spot around 2:30 pm and must say I was pretty stiff and sore! The Lions Den Hotel was certainly a welcome sight and good to get out of the drizzle that had set in for the last 40 minutes. I arranged to stay in a "donga" and ordered an iced water with a beer chaser - lovely!

A donga?  Well, it's a little portable set up with about 5 rooms, and pretty basic - not what first popped into my head when I asked what accommodation was available.

Day two was a 15-km hike through the rainforest to a beautiful creek junction to camp, about 5 km from the tiny town of Rossville. A cute enough town, with no shops to speak of. The most memorable things for me was the massively long entrance, from the welcome sign to the "town" - about 3kms, and being attacked by four pit bull terriers. I'm glad for my trekking poles otherwise I think the dogs would have been well fed that night.
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I arrived at camp early allowing me to set up and relax. I chilled out reading a book, had 2-minute noodles for dinner and massaged achy muscles with magic magnesium rub. I didn't sleep that well because of howling wind and rain, and I was worried about a croc sneaking up on me in the middle of the night. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Day three was a late start as it was still raining. I was waiting for it to stop to pack up but when it didn't I had to bite the bullet. Arrrrghh wet gear - that'll make the pack that bit heavier.

The plan for today was a 16 km hike to Ayton. I was a bit stiff and sore to start off but soon got into a good rhythm. It was a little after lunch when I arrived at the Ayton sports oval. Great camp spot with toilets, shower and shelter.

I hung my wet gear out to dry - however, with humidity around 90% that didn't happen. Maybe next camp spot with a little bit of sun I might have more luck.
I slept so much better last night - I didn't need to worry about the rain, crocs and I wasn't as sore. I must be getting a little fitter - that'll help for the days and months ahead.

Day four (today), I decided to vary from my plan and take things easier with only a short 10(ish)-km jaunt, just shy of the Crebb Track in Bloomfield to a little creek.

I am so loving my adventure so far, as tiring and as sore as I get, I know I'm getting fitter and it is strangely exhilarating just pounding the dirt and taking in some amazing scenery. Everyone I bump into has been super friendly. I better hit the road again and get to my next camp spot, but couldn't pass the opportunity to enjoy the rarity of reception.
25 Comments
Lyn
20/5/2017 02:08:25 pm

The photos are amazing and so glad all is going well.

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Chris
20/5/2017 06:01:27 pm

Thanks Lyn, seeing it first hand is amazing so I'm glad I've been able to capture a slice of that.

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Sharmini
20/5/2017 02:23:06 pm

Very impressed with the amount of trekking and congratulations. Great and enjoyable blogging. Was looking foreward to Jesus Christ superstar look✌️

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CJ link
20/5/2017 04:06:28 pm

Congratulation. I'll be following intently only having hiked 11 days recently of your upcoming 300. What dry weight are you carrying?

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CJ link
20/5/2017 04:15:01 pm

Found the answer to your pack weight in previous pre-blogs. With 2L H20 was just shy of that. One foot in front of the other Fantastic going 👣

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Chris
20/5/2017 05:59:19 pm

11 kilos without food or water. Most of the time I'll carry 7 days worth of food which will add 4.9 kg and 2 litres of water, topping up along the way - some stretches where I know it'll be dry I figure i'll carry an extra litre or two.

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Jackie Nann
20/5/2017 05:07:51 pm

Great report and pics, thanks so much for sharing 😊
I left Cooktown almost two years ago to the day you left (16 May 2015). For a walker, you did well to make it to the Lions Den in one day - I did it one day but had three horses with me !

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Chris
26/5/2017 03:09:14 pm

Thanks Jackie

I'm glad you liked my blog. I set out very early and was lucky the whether was relatively kind to me. I'm not sure I'd have made the distance day one if it had have been warmer.

3 horses sounds like a handful! I grew up around horses so know bother the challenges and joys they bring :)

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Craig
20/5/2017 05:50:45 pm

Well done Chris, this is the exact same thing I'd like to do in a few years time. Have a great walk and I'll be looking forward to your next blog.

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Chris
26/5/2017 03:13:02 pm

Cheers Craig!

Definately do it if you can - 9 days in and I'm loving it.

Plan ahead on a more sensible way to get across the Daintree. You'll get what I mean when you read my next blog :)

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Kara
20/5/2017 10:33:04 pm

Loving this. Only thing missing is an updated pin dropped undate of camps each night

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Chris
26/5/2017 03:15:51 pm

Glad you are liking it Kara. I thought about using a SPOT tracker which would have allowed me to do what you suggest, in the end I went with a dedicated emergency beacon. I never want to use it but if I do at least I know it was designed for that sole purpose and according to my research is better at it.

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Pamela
21/5/2017 05:07:49 am

HTFAY?! What awesome scenery.
Thinking of you, as I 'walk home with you'. Take care
....Don't forget the selfies on the way!

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Chrid
21/5/2017 09:49:33 am

Thanks Pam, 'ken awesome! Next blog I'll put a few selfies in

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Julia Byatte
21/5/2017 08:43:03 am

Good luck on the trek, hope you enjoy it. I will look forward to seeing your updates.

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Chris
24/5/2017 05:23:35 pm

Thanks Julia - a lot of fun so far.

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Tegan link
21/5/2017 09:57:35 pm

Hey Chris,

Congrats on a ripper start.

Those dogs sounded pretty scary!

Hope to cross paths with you on the trail.

All the best.

TNT

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Chris
24/5/2017 05:32:32 pm

Thanks TNT!

I wish I was as attentive as you guys at warding off midnight food thieves. Something got into my pack during the night at Roaring Meg Falls - I didn't mind so much the single day breaky they got into but gnawing a big hole in my pack in the process was a bit of a bugger. A sleeping mat patch later and a bit of glue and good as new - well functional at least.

I'm certainly looking forward to bumping into you guys - should be soon, judging by your posts you are certainly cracking on!

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Annouska
22/5/2017 11:34:25 pm

Go Chris - love the blog and photos. Keep enjoying and look forward to the next edition

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Chris
24/5/2017 05:35:04 pm

Thanks Annouska

Another post will be through shortly - closish encounters of the deadly variety along the Crebb track ?

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CJ link
23/5/2017 02:20:14 am

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Chris (Not 'The" Chris)
23/5/2017 10:38:48 pm

Phew! So glad we've finally started! I'm feeling a bit tired after reading the first few days but I'm sure as the posts become more regular I'll get into the routine and settle in for the long haul!

Cheers
Chris (Not 'The' Chris)

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Chris
24/5/2017 05:38:45 pm

? Thanks for traveling with me Chris.

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Boonanghi Matthew
29/5/2017 08:44:17 pm

Hay Chris it's only going to get better find out where all the feral critters are for me take some shots don't forget to check your boots

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Chris
29/5/2017 08:51:34 pm

Cheers Matt. By the time I get to Ebor I'll have it mastered and looking forward to my little side trip to Boonangi

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    At 47 years young, Chris Anthony, who is married with 3 wonderful kids, tried his hand at being an adventurer for the 12 months tackling the BNT.
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  • Home
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