Following on from the highly successful 2021 Tasmanian Ranger Relay that raised much-needed funds for Timor-Leste’s Forest Guards, The TRA set a new fundraising challenge for 2023: The Seven Summits Challenge.
Rangers perform their critical work across the seven continents. Each of these continents has a highest peak. These seven summits have a combined elevation of around 40,000 metres. All seven of them stand in protected areas but not all rangers in protected area management are as well supported with the basics that we take for granted here in Tasmania.
The Seven Summit Challenge was for rangers to climb the equivalent elevation of all seven highest peaks in a fortnight by tackling peaks, hills and stairs in their area. As they climbed, they logged their ascents and spruiked the cause to raise awareness and funding for the Forest Guards who lack the same level of support required for their own work.
The event got off to a rocky start, postponed a week when Tasmania’s predictably unpredictable spring weather made itself known. After some quick rescheduling and a new launch event, it got off to a flying start. Teams and individuals from different field centres and even different national parks services started climbing. Despite the enthusiasm of TRA members, the organisers hadn’t been sure that the target 40,000m would be achievable. But that challenge stood no chance against the growing friendly rivalry between teams.
Walkers across the state joined in, covering environments as diverse as The Gorge, Hartz Peak, Mt Sprent and Eliza, Hobart and Ulverstone urban walks, plus there was rock climbing and bikes all seeing action. Special shout out to Ranger in Charge Shelley on King Island, whose lack of hills saw her doing multiple laps up sand dunes and cliffs to add to the tally!
We weren’t sure if we would make our target of 40 000m in elevation when we kicked off the Seven Summits Challenge in October. It seemed like a hell of a lot of climbing. With a last minute upload from Jo, who had been racking up metres on the Great Wall in China (and couldn’t access Google in China), we smashed the 100 000 metre mark!
It was great to see so many people get involved from a wide range of areas. There was a lot of good humoured inter-team rivalry too. The Mt Field Social Climbers and Macquarie Island Wanderers managed especially stellar efforts as they battled down to the last day, each team singlehandedly completing more than half of the 40,000m goal. Yet the Mt Field Social Climbers were shattered after a last minute lodging by the Macquarie Island Wanderers, who slipped past to take the honours with 24571 metres climbed, an incredible effort on ‘the green sponge’! We have had many requests to do it again this year, (particularly from the Mt Field Social Climbers…) but we will let you know.
Apart from getting staff across the state participating in an event that wasn’t a fire, we were able to raise $7 386 to go towards purchasing much needed equipment for the Forest Guards in Timor-Leste. This brings us towards $30 000 that the TRA has been able to direct towards the Forest Guards in the last two years. A huge thanks to everyone that has been involved! It’s great to see what a real difference we have been able to make to our colleagues in Timor-Leste.
Climbing Teams totals
Cradle Climbers 1348
Queensland Rangers Helping Rangers 1362
King Island 2576
Rocky Rolands 2839
leealuweena Lopers (Lake St Clair) 9323
Wednesday Night Wannabes (wellington Park) 8162
Ninch By Inch (Three Capes/Tasman) 19651
Mt Field Social Climbers 21461
Macquarie Island Wanderers 24571
That (along with the individuals) brings us to a whopping total of 97,037 meters! So along with Jo's bonus elevation in China we finally cracked the 100,000 meter mark.
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