But 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 realize 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.
In my notes app, I always have a list called ‘bucket list hikes QLD + NSW'.
Thunder and Lightning Falls lived at the top of this list for over eighteen months. It was only in April that I finally took action to remove it, and me and an a mate set off with full, heavy packs to conquer what was a lot more than an epic name on top of a list. In reality, behind the name is truly an extreme adventure.
The whole week was a simple time, and that was the beauty of it.
Each day was spent meandering along wide sandy paths, bellies full of too much food, until mid-afternoon. We'd lazily set up our camp, and then relax all afternoon in the golden light by a crystal clear lake. Just as the morning would start with a brilliant sunset over clear waters, we'd watch the sky light on fire above yet another blue expanse further north at the end of the day.
