Reaching New Heights

Amelia Millis said that completing a three-day trek in the Northern Territories last year has given her a new-found appreciation for her physical capabilities, her close-knit family and the Australian outback.

Together with her parents Samantha and Chris Millis, siblings Sophie and Frank, and boyfriend Patrick, eighteen-year-old Amelia completed section five of Larapinta Trail- a 223 kilometre hike through the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The trail is renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery.  Section Five of the Larapinta Trail is a 16 kilometre trek comprised of rocky, loose terrain, steep hills undefined trails. It’s classified as V Hard,  for fit and experienced walkers only.

The plan was initiated by Chris and characteristic of the outdoor-loving father. Amelia said he loves to challenge the family with adventurous trips and it’s something she has grown to love.

‘I have done lots of hiking both with my family and with my high school, but only day hikes. I completed Outdoor Ed as a subject last year, so I got to do plenty of hiking on camps at Wilsons Prom and along the coast.’

In preparation of the trip, The Millis’ incorporated early-morning weight-packed training into their usual fitness regime.

‘I particularly remember waking up at five am, before school, to hike Mt Cannibal with a 10kg weighted pack,’ Amelia said. ‘All things considered; we are a fairly fit family. Us kids swim frequently as well as do Pilates, play netball and footy. Mum and dad also go to the gym and do Pilates,  so I think it all helped (on the trail).’

The family also had to research the best equipment for the trip and carefully plan what to pack- a process which Amelia said was arguably the most difficult challenge prior to embarking on the journey.

‘Everything has to be light- your food has to be scarce but filling because you’re doing something physically demanding!’ she said.

‘We carried lots of food as we knew we’d be very hungry after all the exercise, but I think some would consider it excessive! Mum made paprika chicken, put it in vacuum sealed pouches and froze it- that was our dinner for the first night with some rice, heated in a jet boil cooker.

‘We also packed ‘on-track’ meals which are hiking specific, and not dehydrated food like most hiking meals. We had those in the jet oil with rice as well. Then we had bags and bags of snacks, porridge for breakfast and salmon/tuna and crackers for lunch.’

Water was the heaviest necessity, with one litre weighing equating to one kilogram.

‘We each had a water bladder and electrolytes for an extra boost; but water is the heaviest part so you don’t want to carry all your water the whole way.  We additionally carried two extra five litre water bladders that we took in turns carrying as it was so heavy! Patrick did most of the heavy lifting!

Clothes were kept to a minimum, but carefully thought-out so that they were prepared for both warm and cool weather. Additionally, they took hats, towels, thongs, first aid kit, satellite phone and a Garmin for tracking.

The hike was part of a larger family trip through the red centre. They drove from their home in Bunyip to Adelaide, where they picked up more family, then continued on to Alice Springs.

Though she had prepared for months, once she arrived at the trail, Amelia was filled with mixed emotions.

‘I was nervous that I wouldn’t have the physical ability, but I was also so excited to see all the incredible scenes and challenge myself in something I’d never done before,’ she said.

The first day on the track was eye-opening.  The temperature of uncharacteristically hot for July, reaching around 30 degrees, and the difficulty of the trail exceeded Amelia’s expectations.

‘We were carrying such heavy weight on our backs, so we were all feeling the heat so much more!’ Amelia said.

‘We were also shocked at the difficulty of the trail, with it taking us a whole day to walk a little over ten kilometres. This is because we had to do lots of time consuming and difficult activities, like bouldering, rock scrambling and trekking straight up tall hills.’

But the rewards outweighed the difficulties.

‘There is something so valuable about being in the environment, seeing all these new things and challenging yourself, all whilst shutting off from all the screens and internet.

‘Some of the highlights of the trip was family games nights, playing Uno and poker on makeshift tables of rocks and bark!

‘Our family definitely became closer, and we all enjoyed being able to spend a few days of quality time together, which we often don’t get with us all being so busy,’ Amelia said.

‘Another highlight was the second we stepped over the Razorback Ridge and saw the whole line of the ridge. It really was a trip of a lifetime, and I discovered a greater love for hiking and being on the trail which is didn’t have the drive for before.’

As soon as the family completed the trip, they made a beeline for the golden arches!

‘First stop was Maccas in Alice Springs!’ Amelia laughed. ‘Then we did lots of stretching and eating carbs!’

Though the Larapinta Trail was challenging, it is only the beginning of what can be assumed to be a life-long passion for travel and adventure.

Amelia and Patrick recently jetted off on an eight-month lap of Australia.

‘I couldn’t be more excited (to travel the country)!’ she said before beginning her trip. ‘This has been a big dream of mine for a while, so for it to come true is surreal.’