We protect what we love

FRIDAY 28.04.2023.

Good morning wonderful humans!

We've had another really wonderful week here at FWP. Last Saturday, we had the wombat state forest traction event. And yesterday we had trail chat #12 with Aubri. Aubri shared their recent hiking adventures in Washington State, upcoming ultra adventures at the Leadville 100 and the extremely concerning state of non-binary politics in the USA. We'll be linking you to this chat next week (once the video is uploaded).

We have a pretty full newsletter this week. First, we're officially launching our FWP camp. Along with some of the FWP crew, I am excited to be part of the inaugural Camp FWP in Victoria’s High Country this June. The camp combines movement and education, with athletes, leaders and activists mentoring participants to become more engaged in advocating with their communities to protect wild places. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, keep reading to find out how you can join us.

Second, Lauren reflects on her experience at a Mountaineering course in New Zealand. Lauren is currently doing a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare in extreme and remote environments. One of the modules is an expedition medicine programme with an 8-day residential in Tasmania/lutriwita with lots of practical scenario based training. What better way to get prepared for this course than spending 5 days and 4 nights in New Zealand, undertaking an introductory course, to get some basic skills under her belt?

In addition to gaining some practical skills, Lauren also reported a multitude of other take-aways from this course - the chance to further explore the beautiful back-country of New Zealand (who wouldn’t want to do that?), meet new people, see first hand the melting of the glaciers due to climate change, and feed the soul, which time in the mountains does for many of us.

We hope you enjoy today's read.

CAMP FWP 2023 @ MT. HOTHAM

registrations are now open!

We are very excited to finally be opening registration for our inaugural Camp FWP! The camp will take place in early June over three nights and four days on Gunaikurnai and Taungurung Country in Victoria’s High Country. The camp will combine movement and education, with athletes, leaders and activists mentoring participants to become more engaged in advocating with their communities to protect wild places.

Wherever you are on your advocacy journey, there is something worthwhile and meaningful for you at Camp FWP. Through a broad range of workshops and presentations, you will hear from a range of generous and wise people about their experiences and together we will dissect, discuss and ask the difficult questions of each other about how we can all show up better to help protect people and planet. We are putting the finishing touches on the website and will have the full Camp information for you next week. Keep an eye on our Instagram for updates.

REGISTER NOW

Your mentors 🙋‍♀️

We are excited to welcome the following people to join us at Camp FWP. These include but are not limited to.....

Blake Hose

Blake is a trail and mountain runner and has competed all around the world. Blake’s second passion is zoology and animal science, working as a Conservation Officer for Trust for Nature in Victoria's northeast. His current work focuses on the restoration, improvement and maintenance of habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot. 

Naomi Brand

Naomi is a professional ultra trail runner, artist, veterinarian and addict to all things outside and adventure! Born and raised in South Africa, Naomi now calls ‘Moomin’ (a van!) home in Aeotera with her partner. Naomi combines her running and artistic skills to create conversations about wildlife conservation and promote mindful living. 

Cam Walker

Cam is campaigns coordinator with Friends of the Earth Australia and has been leading the campaign to protect Snow Gums. He is a keen hiker, backcountry skier and volunteer firefighter and is involved in many outdoor events including the Backcountry Festival.  

Lucy Clark

Lucy is a trail runner with a penchant for multi-day adventures, having previously set the record for running the 3,000km long Te Araroa Trail in NZ, cycling the length of the UK and running across Wales in the world's toughest mountain race, The Dragons Back. In 2020 ‘The Longest Pathway’ documented Lucy and her husband's (aka crew’s) experience along the TA.

Calumn Hockey

Calumn is a self-taught photojournalist and videographer, who focuses on conservation and adventure. In 2022 one of Calun’s photos was included in the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ exhibition which toured internationally. Calumn is passionate about the potential of storytelling through photography.

Richard Bowles

Richard is an adventurer and educator, focused on helping leaders with the challenges of the modern world. Through his travel and ultra adventures, Richard has developed unique insights that allow him to develop research that helps major organisations accelerate the progress and performance of their people. Richard is motivated by curiosity, which he embraces in the documentary series ‘In their Shoes’.

Camp Details ⛺️

Camp FWP will take place at Hotham Heights, Mt Hotham from 6.00 pm on Thursday 1st June until 4.00 pm Sunday 4th June 2023. Accommodation and food is provided and included in the camp fees. Transport to and from Mt Hotham is not included, but we will assist with coordinating carpooling.

There are limited places available, and registrations will be on a first-come-first-served basis. There will be a waitlist for those that miss out, and if you can’t make it, registrations are transferable (but non-refundable).

There are three pricing options available - waged ($750), unwaged ($500) and scholarship ($0). Head through to the registration form for details on each option, or apply for a scholarship position here. Please note that payment will be due by Monday 22nd May 2023.

Join us! 🏃‍♀️

Whether you come solo or with a buddy, Camp will be a comfortable and welcoming place for all. Regardless of your fitness level, comfort in alpine environments or understanding of the sports activism and advocacy space, the team at For Wild Places are committed to making every individual feel heard, seen and part of the community. No idea is too wild, thought too contentious or question too silly. Camp will be an open, respectful and safe space in which we can look both inwards and outwards, to better understand how we as both individuals and a collective can better serve the environment and our future.

Head to the link below to register. If you have any questions regarding Camp, please feel free to reach out to Hilary at hilary@forwildplaces.com.

REGISTER NOW

⛺️ 🏃🏽 🔥 😀

INTRODUCTION TO MOUNTAINEERING

By Lauren Beels

 Like all of us here at For Wild Places, I am a trail runner and keen hiker. Last month I decided to tackle something with a bit more vert, which saw me head across the ditch to undertake an Introduction to Mountaineering course with Alpine Recreation, based in Lake Tekapo. No prior mountaineering or climbing experience is required for this 5-day/4-night course, which was perfect for beginners like me.

The camp commences with a gear check at the Edelweiss Lodge in Lake Tekapo. Unlike the Australian equivalent course that requires you to have your own climbing gear, Alpine Recreation has a treasure trove gear room where you can borrow everything you need. This made the course a lot more accessible, as there is no upfront cost of purchasing gear.

Lake pukaki showing some stunning shades of blue, en route from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo.

This was also a great opportunity to meet the other members of the group which is limited to just 4 people. Our group consisted of: a friend of mine from work; a fabulous Occupational Therapist from Perth, who is also a professional photographer and captured our whole trip, and; a guy from Israel who has lived all over the world, also happens to be a professional chef.

A perfect combination, right?

On this occasion due to bad weather at our mountain destination (think 100km/hr winds & snow) we were lodge-bound for 48 hours. This time was put to good use with practical rope work - learning how to cross glaciers (we ‘pretended’ the local golf course was the glacier and crossed this whilst roped together), avalanche assessment, understanding weather reports and so much more.

We eventually hit the road heading to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, passing the stunning Lake Pukaki. We had a quick pit stop at one of the lodges run by the New Zealand Alpine Club where you can see a copy of Sir Edmund Hilary’s application to join the club from 1947.

Lauren in front of the Aoraki Mount Cook Summit and the Caroline face

After a bumpy 4WD, we parked up at Husky Flat and went about kea-proofing the car. Although the distance to our destination was a mere 4 km, it had 900m of very technical elevation, so the commute took us ver 5 hours. Our mountain guide, Dave was an absolute legend and lead us up to the privately leased Caroline Hut at 1800m.

This cosy hut sits opposite the stunning Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook, which has a summit elevation of 3724m. The hut had everything you could want including long drop toilets, a well-stocked pantry, wood stove and a box full of Whittaker’s chocolate. Our bunks were surprisingly super comfortable and during the night you could hear the disconcerting sound of avalanche activity on the Caroline Face (hence the Mountaineering course). The views of the Tasman glacier were phenomenal.

The following day saw us put on all our gear and head up towards Kaitiaki Peak, which sits at 2222m. Due to the snow in the days prior to our arrival, our going was slow across the steep and technical ridge lines. After lunch we found a great slope to practice our self-arrest skills followed by a brief but fierce impromptu snowball fight.

Product placement on point 🙌🏽

We then headed down onto the Ball glacier for some crampon and glacier traverse practice. Once at the top of the ridge line we got a stunning view down to the Ball Pass. The following morning before our departure, everyone got an opportunity for some rock climbing & belaying practice.

I cannot speak more highly of the professional team at Alpine Recreation, especially our IFMGA* mountain guide Dave. They run several mountaineering courses, catering for all levels as well as backcountry ski tours. I highly recommend checking them out and even partaking in a course if it piques your interest.

*International Federation of Mountain Guides Association

🏔️ 🏔️ 🏔️

NEXT WEEK

I’m participating in my first-ever endurance cycle race on Sunday - the Mudgee Maxi Classic. I’ll be cycling 175 km along back-country roads, through vineyards and historic towns steeped with gold mining history. I’m really keen to report back on the culture of cycling, spot some similarities and differences with trail running races and have a really fun time with mates (whilst still racing).

🚴🏽‍♀️ 🍇 🚴🏽‍♀️

Have a rad weekend out there folks, and as always, thank you for taking the time, for wild places!

Elanor (she/her) & the For Wild Places team

CHECK US OUT ON INSTAGRAM

UPCOMING EVENTS

06/05 TRACTION: Gariwerd | RSVP

13/05 TRACTION: Yarra River | RSVP

18/05 Trail Chat #13: Melissa Robertson | RSVP

01/06 Camp FWP: Mt Hotham | Register

03/06 TRACTION: Plenty River | RSVP

15/06 Trail Chat #14: Jake Fedorowski | RSVP

17/06 TRACTION: Darebin Creek | RSVP

We acknowledge the the First Nations people who have been custodians of land, waters and culture for tens of thousands of years. We pay respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging.

This email was compiled on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. To these people, we pay our respects.

Always was, always will be.