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.
You can get lost literally anywhere, but yes, as the route is only marked with pink tape, the likelihood of getting lost here is more significant than on most other hikes. In some places, the creek splits into two forks and choosing which branch requires using either a topographic map, GPS, or reliable app.
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.
