We made it!

Oxfam Trailwalker 2011 completed.

8 Big Toes finished the walk in the stellar time of 31 hours and 20 minutes. Disincluding stops at checkpoints, the team walked for 25.5 hours in total. 

The team at the start

 Overall it was an excellent adventure, with many beautiful sights and sounds along the way.

Rocking checkpoint 1

Finishing the 100km wasn't an easy feat, and all of us suffered our various ailments along the way. Rosie had terribly sore feet after about 40km, Dave had agonising pain in his knee for about 40km, Pete got exhausted and sick before checkpoint 6, and Mick was exhausted and sore. But we pushed through it all, working as a team and buoying each other when it was tough. Only 55% of teams made it with all 4 team members, so we feel pretty good about our efforts.

Eerie Checkpoint 5 at St Ives in the fog at 2:30am

 The event was magnificently organised by Oxfam, and coming into checkpoints was a good feeling, knowing that there would be new water and food, first aid and a clinic for feet strapping and massage. Oh yeah, and the port-a-loos. All of the volunteers were friendly and cheered us on at every step.

Tents at checkpoint 6 - Davidson Park

 We decided not to sleep at St Ives, in the fear that stopping would mean that Dave could not continue with his knee. It turned out not to be the best decision, as exhaustion quickly followed during the next leg. However, a 20 minute nap at the next checkpoint first thing in the morning seemed to reinvigorate us and allow us to continue Toewards to Glory. 

Crash!

 Some memorable incidents included: Pete giving in to frustration and trying to overtake about a line of 20 walkers at a creek crossing by choosing an alternate route across the rocks. Knee stack on a tall mossy rock ensued. At one point at night a possum walked right across the track in front of Rosie and she didn't even seem to notice (do you remember that Rose?). Rob coming out of the bush near checkpoint 8 filming us! A teenager on a bicycle zooming past us on a bush track near to the end and absolutely nailing himself in an epic stack. Walking through the bush at night with head torches coming out of the fog - surreal.

 We were super happy and proud to cross the finish line at the end of the event - 4:30pm on Saturday - 31 hours after we had begun.

Just metres from the finish.

We would like to say a very special thank you to all of our team supporters over the weekend who did an absolutely amazing job looking after us, feeding us and caring for us at checkpoints. In no special order: Elaine and John, Adam and Tori, Jess and Chris, Mel. Thanks guys!