The Kosciuszko Fiasco 🌩

The next day we headed inland into Kosciuszko National Park, our aim being Australia's highest point - Mount Kosciuszko! We stayed in one of the National Park campsites - Island Bend, which was very basic and very in the middle no where but meant we could start the walk nice and early. When we arrived at the starting point we chatted to a friendly man who informed us there was an event on, the Krazy Kosci Klimb. Ran by the Cerebal Palsy Alliance, each year the charity challenge young people with cerebral palsy or similar disabilities to reach the summit with their support teams. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze so it felt like a great day for it, so off we set well behind the young people who had started a lot earlier than us. The walk to the summit was great, not too tricky, and provided wonderful views. 

As we approached the top it started to cloud over, not that strange as you reach 2228m above sea level. However, as we touched the trig point the rain began, and not just any rain, torrential rain that turned into hail stones. Still calm, 'let's just hot-foot it down' I remember saying to Matt (as if you can just hot-foot it down a mountain). Then the thunder and lightning began! As we headed along the route we could see a building not far away, with people scuttling into it, so we too had it in our sights. We then witnessed lighting start to strike around us, I'm pretty sure it's the most scared I've ever been. We made it to what turned out to be a toliet block, and inside were about 100 people crammed in, eating cookies and cakes, with people even serving hot drinks! It was like a dream! 

Being a check point for the charity walk meant they had radio connection to those watching the storm pass by, so we were informed this storm would pass soon but another one was following. This wouldn't leave enough time to get safely down so we'd have to hunker down for at least a hour. It was very surreal experience, I'm glad me and Matt are quite sensible people who, even though the day appeared lovely in the morning, packed waterproofs and plenty of layers and dry clothing. There were others who were caught out, soaked to the bone and were beginning to shiver intensely as we all hung out in the loo's. 

I think it was about and hour and a half before it was safe to continue, so off we went back into the sunshine and back to the van in our squelchy boots. We made it back to the campsite with sun still shining so we could get our stuff drying on our make shift washing line, put our feet up, and make friends with the local Kangaroos. Even when brushing our teeth that evening, a sneaky possum came and checked out the light from the van. 

I'm sorry to do a few posts in a row, but its just when I remember/can be bothered too write them, and then get them uploaded! I promise they will continue but I make no promises about their quality and consistency 😁

Lots of love, Lisa and Matt 💕