Bir-niversa-giving Trip I: Deep Space Mountain Run

Since Ben’s birthday, our anniversary, and Thanksgiving all fall within a week of each other, and since none of them are a recognized holiday here, we decided to play hooky. And, after being here for more than 3 months, it was definitely time to do some exploring further afield.

So the determining factor for the location of this trip was Ben’s desire to participate in the Deep Space Mountain Run. This took us south to Namadgi National Park in ACT (Australian Capital Territory). Ben signed up for the 25km run, and Kerry signed up for the 8.4km run. We knew beforehand that there would be some serious changes in elevation (this area is nick-named the “southern Alps”). The start line was at 1100m, and both courses peaked at 1400m (but Ben descended all the way to 700m before heading back up). We didn’t know how much the weather would add to the adventure.

The white line very roughly tracks the middle part of Ben's run.

We drove down on Saturday through intermittent showers and dropping temperatures. We arrived at the campground during a break in the rain, which gave us enough time to set-up camp and watch the kangaroos just near the edge of camp. Unfortunately, the rain and the wind decided they weren’t done, yet, and the wind REALLY got howling. With the “hurricane-like” weather (as the Aussies described it) and perhaps some jitters about the race (at least for Kerry), sleep wasn’t happening. Then, around 1am, it decided to start snowing, and it was a really wet, sticky snow that piled up on the tent. As if we didn’t have enough keeping us awake, we now had the added task of shaking the tent every so often to make sure that not too much snow accumulated (with this being our second use of the tent, we weren’t sure how much it could take).

First batch of snow piles that slid off our tent, at ~1AM.


Finally, 5am rolled around and the alarm clock went off. Yes, Ben’s race started at 5:45am, so they could reduce the risk of runners over-heating in higher midday temps. Good idea, because I think it got all the way up to 33F that day! Kerry got up to cheer him on and photograph the “bright, cheerful” start of the race. His course went down into a valley, then up to the top of a mountain, and back again – basically, there was no flat part of the course. But he did see kangaroos in the snow! And, he came in FIRST for the 25k!!

Getting ready for the race. Yes, Ben is in shorts.


Ben, after a bit of a recovery, with his first place prize.

Kerry’s race started at 7:30, about 25min before Ben finished. Her course went the opposite direction, to the top of a different mountain and back down. No kangaroos, but still plenty of snow.


NOTE: Three days later, Ben is finally regaining his ability to walk without moaning in agony.

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