I had a nice variety of adventures this year though I didn’t tick off much of what I had planned to do! I didn’t use the tent on a hike but it did get some use camping. What you didn’t see on the blog though was an awesome project to create a Microcamper!
This was my kids project so it went on their YouTube channel rather than my blog. We took our little Yaris hatchback and turned it into a spacious overnight microcamper! The build is below. The kids got to use power tools so they had fun!
We took it out overnight to Glenworth Valley. The kids slept in it I had my tent out. Again this was for their YouTube channel. I took it out a third time with just my son and myself but didn’t film, just enjoyed ourselves.
My hiking year started with a wonderful trip to Kosciuszko National Park to climb Mt Kosciuszko with my son. He saw real snow for the first time so that made it magical. He also met one of his mates from school at the summit! What are the odds of that!
From alpine peaks to urban pathways, next I completed Sydney’s Seven Bridges Walk. It was amazing to find stretches of mangroves sitting on Sydney harbour. It was a rainy walk and made me realise that my raincoat was no longer up to the job! A Beautiful view – It seems Sydney is gorgeous from all sides!
In May I explored the ruins of Mooney Mooney quarry, visited the nearby extensive aboriginal engraving site then did a semi bush bash to a huge rock shelter.
Next I felt the need for a more challenging hike. Scouring the All Trails app I found an all day route called “The Southern Highlands Three Peaks Walk”. It was an excellent way to test out my fitness, which had taken a beating lately. I began exercising and it seemed to make a difference. The highlight was a canyon walk that took me by surprise as I had noticed the creek on the map but not the canyon! It was beautiful!
Whilst holidaying in Batemans bay with the family we found a short walk along a beach and creek that proved to be a very satisfying way to spend the morning. There were crabs and salt marsh and beautiful surroundings. Most interesting was a row of fallen trees that looked like they had been ripped from the ground by a storm.
I dragged the kids out of the house for an adventure next, this time doing a hike to a tunnel under the highway! I had seen pictures on the internet of a pleasant scene at the end and we were not disappointed. There was a tree and a fern positioned in a creek which flowed through the tunnel and it was very pretty. The kids loved walking all the way thru the tunnel and checking out the graffiti on the walls.
I played detective on my next hike, tracking down a cave filled with Aboriginal art from hints scattered across the internet. I knew it would be a tough route but it turned into a proper bushbash. On top of that my phone battery died and I had to navigate out. I was prepared for that though and had noted features as I was walking in and had a strategy for working my way out. I was quite pleased with myself. The cave itself was astonishing. I had considered a longer walk at the outset but the cave was enough to satisfy me that day.
As school holidays arrived I had intended to take the kids to Warrumbungle National park for an overnighter but the stars did not align so I chose a nearby walk instead. The Bouddi Coastal Walk in Bouddi National Park visited three beaches, all different. One was a swimming beach, the next was filled with bushcraft shelters and the last was a giant rock pool. We explored all of them. When we returned to the beginning we saw dolphins in the water! Fantastic day out!
So I’ve had a fun year.
2024 is the year of the tent! I need to get on a few more overnighters as I miss it very much. I may also take the microcamper out for a small adventure or two.
Oh and here are my stats for the written blog
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https://www.youtube.com/@solohiker9917
Looking forward to a great 2024!
Solo Hiker 