Every year, 

I set aside time to take my parents on an adventure. Just a few days in nature -

Camping , hiking and getting away from the noise and routine of daily life. As I get older, I have realised how memorable and year-defining these trips have been for them, so I’ve made it a priority to keep doing them.

This year our Misogi took us along the Main Range Loop in Kosciuszko National Park. Home to Australia’s highest peak, beautiful alpine lakes and soft alpenglow sunsets. I’ve spent my fair share of time on the Main Range and the previous winter I had taken my dad Ice Climbing at Blue Lake (his 2024 Misogi). He loved it and mentioned he wanted to return in the Summer months to experience the landscape again. That simple wish was the catalyst for planning this trip, but this time Mum would be coming along!

The Main Range loop is great as an approachable overnight hike. Straight forward navigation, non-technical terrain and moderate elevation gain made this the perfect choice for taking my parents out. 

I thought mum might find it a little challenging so I made sure her pack was light, we have plenty of good snacks and stopped frequently to take photos (rest*). My dad handled it well, but it was a reminder to me that our bodies age and as much as we would like to avoid it, our abilities change as the mind grows wise. 

Dad was an athlete years ago, and what used to be ‘true adventure’ for him - ultramarathons, Ironmans and extreme endurance challenges - is now different. These days, this feeling of adventure is about time away from routine, moving in nature and sharing these experiences with family. Same Misogi mindset but the form has shifted.

And That's OK

Misogi doesn’t have to be about testing our limits. This one was about intentionally stepping outside of the everyday, moving in nature, sleeping outside and enjoying time adventuring together.

My favourite memories were the small moments.

● Watching my parents switch from adults to careless children
● Observing them as they started to notice the small, beautiful details throughout the vast landscape
● As their mind is quiet, parts of them surface which we don’t get to see very often. We start sharing new stories, perspectives and dreams,
● Mum taking photos of everything - as if she wanted to hold this memory in her pocket until our next adventure. 

Just a few days out here can feel more meaningful than visiting home for weeks. A reminder that nature is truly the best place for us to all connect - whether we are out suffering with our adventure buddies or slowing down with our family.

Redefining Success

At first I had the mindset that this trip was about physically pushing my parents - having them outside their comfort zone, covering a certain distance per day or spending multiple nights in the wilderness. But I quickly realised that the meaning of success in this context had to be changed.

The real Misogi for my parents was not about it being a ‘hard’ adventure. It was about being intentional. Giving them enough of a challenge to work physically and mentally but allowing plenty of space to notice the landscape, reflect and connect. Success changed from - we are going to hike this far and spend this many nights out here - to maximising moments of laughter, throwing snowballs, eating snacks and hours spent watching the sun go down sat at camp.

What this has taught me

Moving forward I want to create this space for myself as well. Personally, I am driven by big physically demanding adventures. But this hike reminded me that not every adventure has to be wild and extreme. There is so much value in simple intentional time in nature, moving your body and creating space to connect with the people we love.

My parents’ Misogi was challenging. The challenge wasn’t just the physical demands of hiking though. It’s challenging to set aside 1 week just to go on an adventure, it’s challenging and scary to spend nights out in the mountains for some people, it’s challenging to not sleep in our own bed, it’s challenging to carry everything you need on your back. But, as challenging as it was, I made sure their Misogi was accessible, achievable and meaningful - something anyone can create for themselves or their family and it’s worthwhile prioritizing every year.

Imagine looking back in a decade on ten truly year-defining memories. What a gift to our future selves.