Eight hikers had a dream
which COVID put on hold
to take on Kosciuszko National Park
but finally, this team
adventurous and bold
began the journey, ready to embark
We went by car and bus
in daytime and at night
arriving at the Thredbo village late
good sleep came soon, no fuss
the day dawned clear and bright
we rode the chairlift; everything looked great
We set off from the top
packs loaded to the max
and soon were cresting Kosi’s upper flanks
a buoyant summit stop
with sunshine on our backs
ensured we’d hike the Main Range with full tanks
At camp near Charlotte’s Pass
the brilliant sky was clear
a cold, sub-zero night made sleeping tough
the morning’s frozen grass
still white, we packed our gear
as blisters formed, some feet were looking rough
Through ski resorts we trudged
so keen to get off-road
the power station marked the trail’s start
and Horse Camp Hut, we judged
a great place to unload
we cooked and ate in comfort, full of heart
Day three got underway
with many huts to see
and river crossings now a constant threat
a fun and glorious day
had really set us free
and Gray Mare brought the best experience yet
An eerie, silent night
dumped heavy, powder snow
our campsite now was plastered, postcard-like
but, soon enough, this site
was prompting us to go
‘cos “J Day” loomed; the focus of the hike
Though snowy underfoot
we kept a steady pace
our spirits soared, Jagungal now in view
but soon, we would be put
back firmly in our place
this mountain wasn’t easy to subdue
We battled through the bush
now drenched up to the waist
the snow-clad peak ahead looked out of reach
our “past-the-tree-line” push
was easier when faced
with wombat tracks, empowered to guide and teach
The summit, so hard-earned
euphoria so brief
our minds so scrambled, bodies now so wrecked
of all the things we learned
this might have been the chief
God doesn’t always do what we expect
We shouldered packs again
and hiked the fourteen k’s
to Mackey’s Hut, arriving after dark
this bonded group of men
in something of a daze
it seemed that “J Day” surely made its mark
Recovered by day five
and boots dried by the fire
we pushed on through the gloominess and wind
though feeling so alive
we soon began to tire
but teamwork kept the schedule underpinned
The fireplace of stone
could, no doubt, stories tell
amongst the wreck of Happy’s charred remains
though standing all alone
it served its purpose well
with hot drinks helping ease our aches and pains
Day six dawned dark and still
we had to find the track
though time time was short we still had much to do
we set off up the hill
the only turning back
to gaze at yet another stunning view
The end was now our goal
as Four Mile Hut was passed
depleted now, we really had to fight
it all came down to soul
our will was fading fast
until Kiandra’s ruins came in sight
And so the story ends
normality returns
in wrapping up, one fact is crystal clear
among these hiking friends
the fire within still burns
another challenge waits for us next year