High Country Walking Retreat - November 2023

This was our second High County Retreat. We were based in the same place: the comfortable Pygmy Possum Ski Lodge and this year we were lucky with the weather: warm and no rain. The only challenge at times - apart from the long steep walks - was the wind: 50 kilometre gusts in exposed areas one day and and at times an exercise in keeping one's balance.

Like last year we two days of silent retreat schedule and four days of silent walks. There were two  groups:  one that did longer walks, up to 20k, and one that did shorter walks. Both groups had challenging hikes at times. Thankfully no serious accident this year.

We had the same team as last year:  Suzie Brown and myself as teachers / leaders,  and then Guy Warren managing and Teacosy cooking. It felt easier the second time around. We're hoping to do it again in late 2024 or early 2025.

Victor von der Heyde

Photo credits: Chris Lurchinger, Guy Warren, Helen Purdam, Melinda Stanley, Victor von der Heyde, Prabha Gulati.