Walk #10: Back on Track
6 May 2019
Walk #10 was an exercise in getting back to the walks of No Trespassing after a year of plans and postponements for a long walk to Bathurst. I returned to the strategy of making a one day walk on roads that are relevant to the historical and political narratives that have guided No Trespassing from its inception.
I walked from Mt. Victoria station to the summit of Mt. York carrying my camera, The Cox’s Road Dreaming Guidebook [https://coxsroaddreaming.org.au/] and How to Walk by Thich Nhat Hanh as my sources of inspiration. The former is an extensive guidebook and website that traces the natural history of Cox’s 1814/15 Road and encourages us to experience ‘history with (our) boots on’ and the latter is a collection of walking meditations. I was more adept at history and art with my boots on than meditating while walking.
I met bushwalkers headed to Mt. Wilson and a trail-runner, sweaty, from his run on historic roads that are now bushwalking tracks. I read of those who ‘crossed’ the Blue Mountains and marvelled at the need to mark places of conquest with obelisks—large white erections. I had lunch on Cox’s Pass looking over Hartley Vale and listened to the chatter of an abseiling group, the grinding sounds of distant traffic and occasional bird calls. I wondered what the indigenous name is for Mt. York. It was a sparkling autumnal day, perfect for a long walk and getting back on track.