On the first weekend in July we met for a serious training session in the Blue Mountains. Not so serious that we stayed in tents, mind you – it was way too cold for that! But the hikes were serious and gave everyone a chance to test some new piece of gear, be it a new pack (Osprey being the brand of choice, it seems!), new boots, thermals or neckwarmers. It was very cold and windy and we wisely headed to the sheltered side of the mountains, doing the Neates Glen / Grand Canyon walk twice (both mornings) and a hike down from Govett’s Leap towards Junction Rock and back on Saturday afternoon (seriously steep!). The weekend was made even more memorable by the wonderful food, sparkling conversation and supportive companionship.