The end

It had been a hard four day hike.  Quite a bit harder than planned.  Walking over 70 km through some rugged bushland between Sydney and Newcastle.  Some amazing country.  In the heat of the day, walking over sandstone plateaus with no shade.  One wonders how the vegetation can find any water at all.  It felt like the dessert as the sun beat down on you relentlessly.  But then you turned a corner, scrambled down a steep slope into a ravine, and you were in the cool of a rainforest gully with water cascading down through green mossy rocks.  You could forget all about what was going on up there. Recharge the batteries then back up the hill into the dessert.

I love this country.  It just feels like home.  I grew up bushwalking in the sandstone areas of the South Coast.  I just know it so well I feel like I am alive and part of it.

Toward the end of the walk the aching muscles complained more and more – but you could see the end in sight.  We approached the cliffs overlooking the magnificent Hawkesbury gorge.  The sunlight skimmed over the clear blue waters.  The breathtaking beauty was an instant cure for those tired muscles, and gave strength to the mind to continue on.  One more scramble down a steep rocky incline and we ran onto the white sands of the beach and plunged our weary feet into the cool waters to bath the blisters.

Bliss.

Our next adventure was about to begin.

After all the effort and planning and determination to complete the hike we had done it.  We treated ourselves to some real food.  Well chips on the waterfront.  Its not reconstituted.

We jumped in the car and decided to head back to Yarramalong.  The young Venturer Scouts were doing the same walk in reverse and we had left a car there for them to pick up.  We left the key to the scout hall where we would be staying tonight before heading home.  So we thought we could take the key and have first go and a nice long hot shower before they did.

We hopped in the car and headed down the road and then.... came the phone call.  Eli had run down to Yarramalong because Jo had been bitten by a tick and had an allergic reaction.  Within 10 minutes he had a rash all over his body, was getting hot and sweaty and they didn’t think they should move him.  He was on a bush track about 2 and a half km from the end of the walk.

Brain kicks in.  What is worse case scenario.  Anaphalaxis.  Stops breathing.  Dies.  Bugger. What to do.

Tell Eli to stay by phone.  Jo has no medication (anti histamines).  We are on way – will get some medication on way.

Think through problem rationally.  Call Eli back.  Ask him if Jo is still breathing.  Yes.  Any trouble breathing, swelling around face or  mouth.  Some swelling around eyes. OK.  Talk Eli through this.  If he is still breathing and not having trouble – all will be well.  If he starts having swelling around the throat – need to call an ambulance.  If he is still breathing fine – we need to get him out of the bush to medical help.  The only way we can do that is for him to walk.  Tell Eli to get back to Jo and carry his pack out and walk him out slowly.

We drove into Wyong to try and find the medication from a pharmacist.  Stopped by one of these massive shopping centres.  Walking through this massive shopping centre stinking from a 4 day hike, walking in bare blistered feet looking for a pharmacist with a sense of urgency.  I wonder what people thought of me?

Jumped back in car and drove like the billy-o – as safe as can be.  10-20kph over the limit is still safe right? 

The next problem – we don’t have phone contact where Jo is so we have to find the five walkers.  Stay calm.  We stop by Yarramalong to find Bill – the kind resident who lent Eli the phone.  No they hadn’t come back through.  Drive the 1km up the road to where the bush track takes off.  Evan grabs the medication and runs off to find Jo while I put my boots on.

We start walking. 1km goes by and no sign of anyone.  Another km goes by and we meet a woman walking the other way.  No she hasn’t seen anyone.  Hmmm something is not quite right here.  Walking on a bit further we hear some Cooo-eees bounding up the valley.  A red faced red-haired Eli comes panting up behind us.  They had walked Jo from the bush track up a ridge to the main road and all was well.  Great – we had found him.

Ummm Eli – can you go and find Evan up ahead.  I was exhausted – not just physically now – but mentally as well.  Brave Eli raced on ahead to try and catch Evan who was running to give Jo his medication.

Kate and I turned around and headed back to the car.  When we arrived. Jo, Steph, Sarah and Lachlan were waiting.  All was well.  Jo’s rashes had gone down, and he was feeling better.  Just needed his medication.  Ferried some of the walkers back to Yarramalong whilst we waited for Eli and Evan to return.

 

A dramatic end to a classic hike.

An ending I could have done without.