#getoutside

Posted bytracemystepsPosted inUncategorized

Billy Connolly once said “There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes” and a life working in the outdoors has certainly taught me some solid life lessons including the value of dry underwear!

Monique and I guiding for Women Want Adventure in Kosciusko National Park. Photo by Tracy Gibson

As an outdoor instructor for nearly 20years I have had the pleasure of seeing mother nature in all her moods and it has taught me so much about myself and true meaningful connection to people and places.

On the trail with an early morning cuppa in Bournda National Park. Photo by Tracy Gibson

So many people love the idea of adventure and getting outside to explore, challenge themselves and meet like-minded wanderlusters. It can be so hard to know where to begin.

As a guide it has been extremely rewarding to be a part of those first steps for so many clients. To make those initial experiences memorable and enjoyable goes a long way to creating passionate adventurers. To be able to erase those memories of wet school camps, tents that leaked, freezing cold nights and inadequate clothing and sleeping bags is a real joy! It is the essence of why I wanted to create this blog. To give people a place to start or re-start, get good, authentic, and reliable information, to get inspired and to help connect people to the wonders of our natural environment.

My happy place – multi day hiking in the Budawang National Park. Photo Monique farmer

My plan is to share stories about my adventures. To provide information on places to explore and technique tips to help you along the way. The activities I will cover will be varied. From mountain biking to hiking, from kayaking to snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding. I will include details on where to go, how to get there and what you will need to bring! My posts will cover tips and tricks, technique videos, how tos and gear reviews.

Canoe and kayak expedition along the Shoalhaven Gorge

I would also like this to become a space for you to share your own ideas. To create a community where you can help others with your tips and tricks or share amazing places you have explored.

The simple pleasures of sleeping under the stars is so nurturing. It can really be a profound reset for life.

If you have suggestions on where you would like to go, what activities you are interested in or how tos you would like to see then send me an email at tracemystepscontact@gmail.com or drop me a message on Facebook or Instagram

Published by tracemysteps

I grew up on horseback and hiking around a rural property but it was my love of the water and all things adventure that lead me to pursuing a professional career as a Kayaking Instructor. I combined completing a Bachelor of Communications degree with study in Outdoor Recreation. Since then have been leading Outdoor Education and Kayaking programs in Australia and around the world for nearly 20years. Kayaking is an amazing way to explore the planet. It’s the sense of freedom that kayaking provides and the endless variety in what you will experience in a day on the water that is so exciting, challenging and rewarding. Life in the outdoors has a way of changing the way you look at the world, engage with people and appreciate what our environment has to offer us as a teacher. Combining my love of the surf with kayaking I have also represented Australia at the Surf Kayak World Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2013 where I took out the title of Women’s HP World Champion. I was also awarded Guide/Instructor of the year in 2018/2019/2020 by Paddle Australia. I began making videos and writing Blogs about my travels just as a way to record the journey. It is the best way I found to savour the moments and photos, remember the people and places and to reminisce later to inspire my next experience. Whilst I still love to guide trips and coach, I am also combining my love of writing and adventure into a new direction with local Tourism to continue to promote our wonderful natural environment.

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