My absolute favourite aspect of overnight hiking is very simple; it forces you to be intentional and live in the present moment.

I reflected on this as my mate and I said goodbye to a group of people we’d had lunch with on the summit of Mt Barney. We’d spent a few hours chatting and taking in the panoramic views around us.

Truly, your name doesn’t matter out there. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve spoken to someone on a track for multiple days without asking their name. Often by the time I realise it’s far too late.

It’s not just names that seem insignificant out there. Your job, your age, gender, area, history - wild landscapes fosters equality in a way that concrete never can.

This Barney trip was not diminished in the slightest by ant bites, tree stings, broken straps, dodgy ankles, unexpected detours, and light rain. These factors made the highlights all a bit sweeter in juxtaposition.

We wandered up South East Ridge and then headed back down South Ridge the next morning after spending the night in the clouds.

I’ve left the Scenic Rim truly in love with this peak. There’s so many ways up this powerful mountain and so much exploration to be done up the creeks and gorges and on the surrounding peaks and I can’t wait to head back!!