‘I Am The Mountain’ transformational walking experience

FAQs

• Will I have to share personal details in front of others?

  An intention of openness will fuel your learning and exploration, however it is entirely up to you what you share in front of the group. Whatever level of sharing you choose will be supported. During paired exercises, it's useful to have something a little raw and unprocessed that you’re willing to work on rather than something you’ve already resolved. It could be an issue, item, complaint or opportunity. You decide the degree of intensity of the item. You keep it within your comfort zone.

• Is this therapy?

  This is a guided learning experience focused on presence, my favourite practical tools for presence and integration that I use in my coaching practice. If your experience raises items that would benefit from therapy or counselling, I recommend connecting with your GP first.

• When would I arrive and leave?

  I Am The Mountain explorers arrive Thursday September 17 at 4pm, walking 3 days and depart Sunday September 20 at 3pm.

• What do the 3 days and 3 nights look like?

  Arrival – Thursday September 17 4pm

  On Thursday, after arrival and time to settle in, at ~5pm we have an introduction and our first session; learning about our essence - who we came in to be. Following, there will be a Track Briefing from the Tora Group. After dinner, you then have leisure time to explore and relax.

  
  

  Day 1 of walking, Friday September 18

  We’ll begin a practice at 8am. The practice may help you to: 

  • Foster greater connection with yourself and others

  • Speak in a way that nurtures connection

  • Get clarity around what you really want 

  We’re likely to arrive at the accommodation for the night between 2-3pm. From mid afternoon, the aim is to integrate our learnings from the day, and explore a second practice. It may help you to:

  • Learn the power of how you can choose how you see the world 

  • Experience more ease and flow

  I'm aiming for the evening to be free to spend as you wish and I'm building in some flexibility depending on the time we arrive. 

  
  

  Day 2 of walking, Saturday September 19

  We’ll begin a practice at 8am. This practice may help you to: 

  • Choose who you want to drive your life, moment to moment, day to day: the parts that came into being when you didn’t have space as a child to feel your feelings, or your essence.

  You will have the opportunity to practice 1:1 with someone while you’re walking. We’re likely to arrive at tonight’s accommodation between 11am - 1pm. We’ll use the afternoon to get to know who we came into be and have some fun and movement with it. We will also explore our life purpose with a view to creating ease and flow and a love of the life we’re living. After afternoon tea, explore creating your own manifesto to support living the life you really want. 

  
  

  After dinner, your evening is free to spend how you choose.

  
  

  Day 3 of walking, Sunday September 20

  We’ll begin a practice at 8am. This practice may help you to: 

  • Choose whether to join in the drama and act out of the roles of victim, villain or hero, or have a feeling and speak in ways that foster connection.

  Again, roughly 4-5 hours of walking, the opportunity to practice 1:1 with someone, then enjoying conversations, silence, taking in the surrounds – whatever takes your fancy, we’re likely to arrive between 1-2pm. There’s an opportunity to shower before or after a final connection at 2pm to appreciate our time together. For planning other travel arrangements, you will be in a position to leave Tora from 3pm. 

• How many hours are spent walking each day?

  There are roughly 4 hours of walking time each day across a variety of stunning and diverse landscapes. Click here to see a detailed map that encompasses the full journey, and here for an oblique map, which gives a different perspective of the trail. There are a number of steep climbs and descents therefore it’s important to do some hill training and prepare appropriately. After your application, we can have a conversation around what preparation means for you.

• Who can do the walk?

  Tora have had walkers in their 80s, and babies carried in backpacks! That said, the walk does require a moderate level of fitness, with the most challenging day being Day One – approximately 15kms, and climbing 300 metres above sea level at its highest point. Click here to download a detailed map of the terrain.

• What is the trail like?

  Get to know The Tora Coastal Walk a bit better, including the terrain you will be covering, by downloading the Great Hikes App . It's informative, easy to use and free.  The added bonus is you will not need one of their paper maps, which cuts down on printing and paper use. There are also details and maps of the trail on their website here. 

• How do I know if I am fit enough to do it?

  You will need to be able to walk a total of 4 hours over uneven terrain. If you’re uncertain about your fitness levels, I recommend choosing a walk local to you, that is signposted as taking 4 hours, over uneven terrain that has some sharp ascents and descents up to 300m in elevation above your starting point. This would give you a good gauge.

• What if I’m slow?

  This is something we can talk about during the short Fit Check. On average, you would need to be able to cover walking each day within ~5 hours. The first day is the most challenging ~15 kms of walking, and climbing 300 metres above sea level at its highest point. If you are uncertain, I recommend choosing a walk (local to you) that is signposted as taking 4 hours, over uneven terrain that has some sharp ascents and descents up to 300m in elevation above your starting point, and be able to complete it within 5 hours. Then check in with yourself if this is sustainable for another 2 days.

  The second day does have a shorter option available if you are seeking a reprieve.

• What about injuries or limitations?

  You’ll share anything relevant in the application. Some limitations can be supported; some may make the point-to-point format unsuitable. If in doubt, checking out a 4 hr local walk close to you is an ideal step to take.

• How is safety and care handled?

  Your safety matters. This experience includes:

  • Clear self-guided walking agreements

  • Encouragement of regular breaks and check-ins

  • Weather planning and clear contingency decisions

  • Route planning with track briefings from Tora on the first evening and after the second day of walking

  • A short application process to support group fit and readiness
    

  Note: This is a nature-based learning experience for presence and personal growth. It’s not a substitute for mental health treatment.

  In the event of an injury or accident, what communication support is there?

  When Tora brief on the first and 3rd evening, they go over the procedure for an accident or injury on the track. This involves showing us how to use the two-way radio that the facilitator at the back of the group will carry. This creates direct communication with the Tora team who are a farm vehicle ride away to access walkers. . There is also mobile coverage in parts, and Tora gives us a selection of phone numbers in the track guide booklet that each person also receives to be able to connect with the Tora team.

  What practical First aid support is there?

  Chanel Finnigan has completed a 2-Day Outdoor First Aid course with Peak Safety, designed for remote environments where professional medical help may be delayed. Many of the Tora team are first-aid certified also.

  How is bad weather handled?

  Your safety is our number one priority. I work in collaboration with Tora. When it comes to safety, Tora may make the call to close section(s) of the track. 

  From 30 years of operating, Tora bookings are rarely cancelled due to bad weather. Recognising that people often have flights booked, and in some cases accommodation - Tora do all they can to avoid cancellations. If the track is deemed dangerous, they suggest alternative routes and options. They have a little gravel road that winds its way through the valley on Day One and this is the suggested alternative in high wind (rather than going up onto the ridge lines). This is still 12km of walking - but all flat and sheltered. Tora, on average, close Day One due to high winds approximately half a dozen times over the course of their 7 month season. 

  There are lots of different options for Day Two, and again, Tora are on hand to advise if there are any issues with any section of the track. A similar scenario is available for Day Three, with an alternative track option, although you are in the bush for lots of the time on Day Three, which is nice and sheltered in bad weather. It’s not typical for a group to get three horrible days in a row. If we do get nasty weather, Tora lay on the creature comforts in large doses. so enjoying being together in the comfort of the accommodation becomes a highlight! 

• What about meals and specific dietary requirements?

  What about meals? Do I need to carry food?

  The walk is fully catered, so all meals (including home baking) are provided. Tora don't provide pre-dinner nibbles  - you are welcome to bring these. You are also welcome to bring along non-alcoholic beverages. We can transport these for you and place items in the fridge at your next stop. Please be mindful that you are entering a pristine remote environment. Tora asks that you remove as much food and beverage packaging before you arrive and prioritise cans over glass bottles.

  
  

  Do Tora cater for people with specific dietary requirements?

  Due to their remote location and low staffing levels, Tora limits the dietary requests to:  vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, coeliac, other serious allergies. If you request one of these diets, Tora will provide suitable evening meals and desserts, breakfast, lunch and your afternoon tea. Please bring your own snacks to take on the track as Tora’s baking for morning teas may not meet your needs.

• What do I need to bring for walking?

  You’ll get a clear packing list once accepted (boots, layers, water, daypack essentials, etc.).

• How can I find out more about the Tora Coastal Walk?

  Please check out the Tora Coastal Walk website to find out all details about the walk. With a group of 12 participants and 2 facilitators, there will be exclusive use of the walk and accommodation throughout our time.