 The Stinson Challenge – Remote Bushwalking
That time of year has arrived and it’s time to get ready for the Stinson Challenge!
I will be taking bookings from groups and individuals for this amazing walk in which we trace Bernard O'Reilly's steps from Green Mountains to the Stinson in ONE DAY!! 36Kms of SUSTAINED walking.
It’s Amazing, Hard, and Serious Fun;
Taking only light packs and a minimum of food and equipment, we’ll storm our way through the rainforest on this 10 hour challenge.
Can it be done? – YES.
Is it easy? – NO.
Do you need to train? – YES
Is it fun? – YES, It is an amazing achievement
Read on if you’re even ‘remotely’ interested;
This route to the site of the Stinson wreck provides a great challenge through a rugged and isolated area, and is undoubtedly one of the classic hikes in Australia. It is probably one of the best day walking challenges through some of the most amazing rainforest in this country.
This is a real ADVENTURE!
The Journey
The Stinson trek is 36 kilometres in length and traverses across three major spurs that run through the Lamington Plateau. Intrinsically we climb up and down and over again three times. As the trip finishes down on Christmas Creek, the total descent is in excess of 1000 metres.
We’ll leave from the trail head at Green Mountains in the early morning by torchlight and complete the eight kilometres on graded track to Echo Point. From here we follow an unmarked trail over numerous peaks on the border range for the next six to seven hours until reaching Point Lookout. We then travel downhill to Christmas Creek and out along a relatively easy trail to the end of the walk. The latter part of the walk is nearly always completed in the dark by torch light.
There’s plenty of clambering around and through storm damaged areas, with fallen trees and the prickly Lawyer Vine, and regular steep rocky slopes to be negotiated that are often wet and slippery in this high rainfall zone on the crest of the border range. Even if you’ve done a lot of bushwalking previously in different habitats, you may find this region presents an entirely new and unexpected challenge.
The risks
This is a difficult journey through rough rainforest terrain that involves almost constant steep climbs and descents.
We will commence and probably even finish the journey in the dark.
 We always use two experienced guides for safety; so that one can follow slowly or stay with an injured walker whilst the second guide goes with the group for help. However, on occasion we will be forced to spend a night out in the forest because of injury (perhaps a twisted ankle) or because of adverse weather conditions that slow our pace making progress dangerous until first light. You must be prepared for this inconvenience; however we will carry light, emergency rations and equipment only; no luxuries!
In order to minimise risk we will only take people who;
• Have walked with us before – or do the Stinson Day walk as a lead up
• Have no knee or ankle injuries or problems
• Are not on medications or have any medical conditions
• Are prepared for the possibility that we may spend the night out
• Are physically and mentally fit for the walk
Pre-requisites
Experience is essential on this type of hike. It is vitally important that the group maintain a solid pace for the entire day with minimum stops for food, rest or photos. You must be able to move through this slippery, awkward terrain quickly. So fitness and previous off-trail experience is essential.
Being able to continue at that steady pace is the key; many people start well, only to begin to struggle after a few hours, often becoming slower and slower as they become overcome by fatigue or soreness.
So, you need to be fit and fast.
We recommend the walk only to people who have a current commitment to fitness and have maintain such for at least a period of six months, ideally involving a solid workouts.
The ideal exercise in preparation is to walk in to the wreck from Christmas Creek. This should be able to be completed comfortably in around six hours if you are of fitness capable to complete the Stinson Challenge without problems.
We complete the Stinson day trip quite often and for this reason it is a PREREQUISITE that you complete the Stinson day walk with me before coming on a Stinson Challenge.
We also provide a series of lead up training sessions in Brisbane to prepare walkers for this trip.
Trouble-free knee and ankle joints and other medical conditions
If you have knees that give you trouble then DO NOT take on this walk. Painful knee joints have been the downfall of so many otherwise competent walkers. Besides the pain you may cause yourself, it is unfair to the other participants as you will cause the walk to run several hours late and to exit in the dark or have to camp out overnight.
If you have weak ankles, then you must consider if this walk is for you or not. I advise sturdy walking shoes that give ankle support as a minimum control measure.
If you have any pre-existing medical condition then you must realise that it will take about two days to get medical assistance to you if you become ill on the walk. If you have any condition then please talk to me about it before you book.
How to book for the Stinson Challenge
As bookings are taken on an individual or group basis – as opposed to a scheduled trip; just call me.
The base cost for the walk is $425.00 per person. We take a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 6. Couples or single walkers who wish an individual experience may book the trip at a single, twin rate; please call for details if this applies to you. Otherwise individual bookings will be grouped together to meet minimum numbers or to make up numbers on other planned trips.
All bookings will be confirmed 6 weeks prior to departure to ensure adequate lead time for training and preparation. There are no refunds once booked although transfers are accepted to another walk or date.
This cost includes a trip in the Stinson Day walk and if you live in Brisbane, attendance at lead up training a Kangaroo Point and East Brisbane for the month prior to the walk.
Confirming your booking
Unless you have already done so, please go to the following link to complete your booking; Confirming your booking. You will find links to booking forms and our booking conditions there.
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An actual timeline for the trip based on a group moving quickly
O’Reilly’s Echo Point 1:45
to Rat a Tat hut 0:55
to Mt Throakban 0:45
Rest 0:15
to Kalinya Lookout 0:55
to Unnamed lookout 0:25
Rest 0:15
to Point Lookout 1:25
to Stinson Camp 0:15
to Visit to the wreck 0:30
to Christmas Creek 1:45
to End of trail 1:45
TOTAL WALK TIME 10:55
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