A Fair Hike For All But Top Scouts

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday November 20, 2007

By KATELIN McINERNEY

TREKKING for 1000km between Perth and Albany in Western Australia might not be everyone's idea of a great getaway.

But for a group of six experienced trekkers from the 4th Wollongong and Austinmer scout rover crew, it is just the adventure they've been seeking.

The trip will take the scout leaders along the rugged coastline of Western Australia, across huge tracts of sandy seashore and through the famous karri forests on the state's southern coastline.

Sounds like hard work to most, but by this intrepid group's standards, it will be a pleasant hike.

"We've trekked around Stewart Island in New Zealand, and along the south-west coast of Tasmania, and my brother Mark has done the Kokoda Track so we are looking forward to a trip without too much mud," rover Kerrie Hammond said.

The 23-year-old and Mark, 22, have been busy preparing for the "logistically challenging" trek by dehydrating food, organising a midway food drop and a canoe crossing.

Kerrie, a Balgownie Venturer Unit scout leader who recently completed her Bachelor of Education in languages at the University of Wollongong, has spent several months painstakingly preparing.

She is looking forward to finally setting off.

"The beach slogs are going to be the hardest, and we've been warned about the possums, so I've packed special cords to tie up our food at night so they can't get it," she said.

"Then there are the snakes, so the scenery will be special but the wildlife should be good, too."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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