Originally written in 2023
From 22 invited capable hikers, only five of us braved the expected heavy rain last weekend.
I already expected the worst. Most of the reviews I’d read described the hike as difficult. The rain certainly wasn’t going to make it easier, and on top of that we had to carry all our camping gear.
I was quite proud that I managed to keep my backpack down to 12kg. 
Because I’d been having bad reactions to leech bites, I followed some advice to take an antihistamine before the hike. But just to be sure, I took two non-drowsy antihistamines.
Which, naturally, made me sleepy for most of the day. 
So there I was carrying 12kg uphill, climbing over and under massive slippery boulders, negotiating loose rocks and exposed roots… while also trying to stay awake.
Thankfully, the group decided to set up camp at Roaring Meg Creek rather than push on to Mt Pieter Botte that afternoon.
We had dinner, settled in, and I think I was asleep before 7pm. I woke around 6am the next morning.
And Mt Pieter Botte did not disappoint.
While we explored both the north and south peaks, there wasn’t a drop of rain. In fact, I’d say the mountain was showing off. Every now and then the mist disappeared just long enough to reveal the summits.
The challenging part came on the way back.
I couldn’t believe how much heavier wet gear became. By the final 30 minutes of the descent, I was no longer interested in waiting around.
All I could think was:
If I have to carry this backpack for another hour, somebody might have to rescue me.
But we made it.
Wet, tired, muddy and considerably heavier than when we started.
And yes — it was absolutely worth it.
Stories Along the Way 