Hi Bear - Hiking Tales and Outdoor Guides

After lots of rest and rejuvenation, we are back in action with a deep dive into what our last year has been like. As promised, we debrief our Great Ocean Walk and talk about the recent developments in our lives. We have both undergone immense changes and we've really enjoyed having the year to reflect on what we want to bring you. We have some funny stories, heartfelt moments, and lots of adventure to share. Join us in our new season and don't forget to send us your funny adventure moments. We'll read them out on the podcast!

Content warning: In this episode we speak about chronic illness, disability, and surgery.
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We live and work on Wurundjeri and Bunurong land and we pay our respects to elders past and present. We want to acknowledge that this is stolen land and we are on this land as beneficiaries of an unreconciled dispossession which is ongoing today.  We are striving for growth in how we can be better allies and accomplices while we walk and speak about land.  In this conversation we do speak about "buying land" and we reflect and recognise the impact of buying land that is not rightfully ours and where there has been no treaty. We will do better to be mindful about these conversations and the general concept of buying land in the future. We recognise this always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

While we were recording and editing this episode, the Aboriginal community lost a shining young soul. We want to send our deepest thoughts and wishes to the family of Cassius Turvey who was murdered while walking home from school. We want counteract statements that were made to the public and say that it is white supremacy, racism, and violence that is in the wrong place, not a teenage boy simply going home from school. The atrocities committed against this young man and subsequently his family and community are appalling and we are so saddened for the community at this time. We send our respects and love to the families and community who lost this bright soul. If you can, please donate to his family at their Go Fund Me site here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/justiceforcassius 

This episode marks the anniversary of the Hi Bear Podcast. You'll hear from Jen and Elle PLUS Jen's friend Jess who shares funny stories in the outdoors, lost plans, and future adventures. Jen and Elle dive into some zero-waste vegan food prep and sustainable gift giving and then Elle's friend and Overland Track hiking buddy, Ali, shares her experiences as a first time multi-day hiker.

We record this podcast on Wurundjeri and Bunurong country and we pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging and acknowledge First Nations people throughout Australia, on the lands we visit, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, songlines, language and culture. We stand on this land as beneficiaries of an uncompensated and unreconciled dispossession which began nearly 250 years ago and continues today. We'd like to reflect on how we act against the social and economic systems that reinforce racism, subjugation, oppression and genocide. Always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Please Note: This episode contains some course language. 

In Episode 7, Jen dives into the details of her Borneo backpacking trip with her partner Grant and the trials, tribulations, and leg soreness that accompanied - PLUS Pinnacles!!! Elle details the Instagram accounts that kept her motivated and learning through lockdown with a lot of discussion around anti-racist adventuring, recognising whiteness and white privilege in the industry, and the need for elevating visual representation of queer folks and POC in the outdoors. Jen and Elle wrap it all up by doing a quick overview of the initial stages of planning their Christmas and NY backpacking trip to the Great Ocean Walk.

Content Warning: We discuss racism and violence in this episode. While we do not detail any specific events, we do mention racist sentiment and violence that occurs in the outdoors.

This podcast is recorded over zoom on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Yalukit-willam, and Bunurong people who are the rightful owners of this land. We pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. We acknowledge the 250 years of genocide and racism brought upon Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islanders since the arrival of colonisers and urge our listeners to act against the social systems that reinforce racism, oppression, and subjugation. 

We will also be talking about the Great Ocean Walk which is situated on the land of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung mobs. We honour their connection to land, waters, language and preservation of songlines; as well as, pay our respects to their elders. 

These lands always were and always will be Aboriginal land. 

We would also like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Bornean people who's Indigenous groups are the Malay and Dayak.  Particularly, the lands mentioned belong to Kadazan-Dusun for Kota Kinabalu; Orang Ulu, Kiput, Kenyah, Kayan, Mulut and Penan mobs in Gunung Mulu where the Pinnacles are. It's important to note that Dutch colonisation forced Dayak people from their homes in the rainforests so that they could log which inevitably destroyed many rainforests and forcibly evicted First Nations Bornean people from their lands. 

Know where you walk. Learn about the people that came here before you.

In Episode Six, Jen and Elle cover the expanse of their lockdown coping strategies and activities, and how they keep the outdoors close to heart while being so far from the wilderness. Jen shares memories from her kayaking adventures in Aotearoa (New Zealand) while Elle reminisces about a hiking trip turned kayaking trip due to some unexpected injuries. 

This episode was recorded via Zoom during Victoria's extended lockdown so while there is some loss of emotion  (like capturing laughter and giggles) we hope you enjoy and laugh along with us.

We live and work on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri and Boon wurrung People and want to acknowledge the First Nations people here and of the lands which we are speaking about today. We pay our deepest to respects to the Wurundjeri and Boon wurrung People of the Kulin Nation, Māori People of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the Nununi People of Nuenonne: Lunawanna-alonnah (Bruny Island in Tasmania), and the Tongva People (also known as the Gabrielino-Tongva People) of Pimungna (Catalina Island, California). We want to reflect that within acknowledgement there should be action and think about how we act in solidarity with First Nations people - where we are now, where we have been, and where we are going. How to we act against the social systems that reinforce racism, oppression, and subjugation? 

In Episode Five, Jen talks about her Three Capes Track adventure and Elle goes over the details of The Overland Track. We chat about the landscape, the weather, the fungi, and the leeches (of course). We also go over a little bit of info around getting soaked in the rain and how to prevent and treat saturated times. 

This episode was recorded via zoom during Victoria's lockdown. Unfortunately due to the limitations of the app, you can't hear us cracking up with laughter at the same time like you normally can in our episodes. We were feeling a bit meh around publishing the episode but as we are all well aware of the weird zoom issues in our lives, we figured it would still be ok. Hope the listening experience is pleasant enough for you to give us a like on IG and a review through your preferred listening app!
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We honour the First Nations people of the land we record on, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We also want to acknowledge First Nations people throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We like to encourage our community to understand what being an ally means and reflect on what it is to take action against systems that marginalise and oppress First Nations people.

We want to acknowledge the First Nations communities in Tasmania that suffered the attempted genocide at the hands of colonisers in 1829; where over nine different mobs who had lived in Tasmania for thousands of years were attacked and decimated despite their brave resistance. We pay our respects to the people who's lands we walked - Pydairrerme, Peerapper, Tommeginne, Pyemmairrener, Tyerrernotepanner, Lairmairrener, Toogee, Nuenonne, and Paredarerme people and acknowledge their ongoing struggle for reconciliation. 

In Episode Four, Jen and Elle discuss Jen's recent attempt at the Great Southwest Walk which didn't end perfectly and how she managed to return home safely. We share laughs about leeches and get deep into discussion around normalising periods, poo, pee, and farting on the trail. Jen and Elle add a few shares around leave no trace period management and Elle shares a big challenge she took on with zero waste food prep and pack for the Overland Track in Tasmania.

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We honour the First Nations people of the land we record on, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We also want to acknowledge First Nations people throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Since we'll be talking about Tasmania today, we want to acknowledge the First Nations communities that suffered the attempted genocide at the hands of colonisers in 1829; where over nine different mobs who had lived in Tasmania for thousands of years were attacked and decimated despite their brave resistance. We pay our respects to the Peerapper, Tommeginne, Pyemmairrener, Tyerrernotepanner, Lairmairrener, Toogee, Nuenonne, and Paredarerme people and acknowledge their ongoing struggle for reconciliation. 

We also want to acknowledge and pay our respects to the rightful land owners of The Great Southwest Walk, the Gunditjmara and Buandig people.

We stand on this land as beneficiaries of an uncompensated and unreconciled dispossession which began over 200 years ago and continues today. We would like to reflect that within acknowledgement there should be action - and take a moment to reflect on how we act in solidarity with First Nations peoples and how we act against the economic and social systems which reinforce racism, oppression and subjugation. 

In this episode, Jen and Elle discuss Jen's solo hiking adventures around Banff National Park, the origins of the term "Hi Bear", and Part 1 of our practical guides on "How to get into hiking" as a first-timer.

We want to acknowledge the First Nations communities of the Calgary area; home of Banff National Park and Jasper areas. We pay our respects to The Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika [Sik-see–gaa], Kainai [Gaa-Naw], and Piikani [Bee–gaa–knee] nations (also called Peigan). The Tsuut'ina [Soots-in–naw] First Nations, and The Stoney Nakoda Nations of Chiniki, Wesley and Bearspaw. These peaceful nations, while under forced treaty, still hold sacred attachment to the mountains, waterways, and trees of this area. The land treaties of this area were forced upon the First Nations people above as were most land treaties throughout "Canada" and it should be widely known that First Nations people of "Canada" still fight for their basic rights.

We also want to acknowledge the land we record this podcast on is situated on the stolen land of Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We also want to acknowledge the First Nations people throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We stand on this land as beneficiaries of an uncompensated and unreconciled dispossession which began over 200 years ago and continues today. We would like to reflect that within acknowledgement there should be action - and take a moment to reflect on how we act in solidarity with First Nations peoples and how we act against the economic and social systems which reinforce racism, oppression and subjugation. 

In this episode, we talk about our trips over the holiday break backpacking Wadawurrung and Easter Maar lands on "The Great Ocean Walk" and Gunaikurnai, Boon Wurrung, and Bunurong Lands at "Wilson's Prom" - always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

We'll be talking about all things nature: weather, land, flies, snakes, and other lovely creatures. Gear reviews about sleep systems and other nifty and necessary gear make their debut along with funny stories, lots of laughter, and some random chit-chat about what it is to be a weather forecaster.

We hope you enjoy and are inspired to visit these beautiful places.

About This Episode:

Jen and Elle discuss intros to their first overnight backpacking experiences in Nepal and Yosemite when they were just wee explorers. Join them in their tales of the outdoors, major goofs on gear and other hilarious mishaps, learning experiences, and general chats about life on the trail.

While Jen and Elle are avid outdoors people, this is their first podcast and subsequently first time publicising their adventures. The podcast was recorded over several sessions and there is much to learn in the process of recording and editing. The little glitches you hear and notice are just part of the learning the curves and hurdles of first time podcasting.

Acknowledgments from Jen and Elle:

We will be going back in time and talking about Base Camp area of Everest (Chomolungma) and we pay our respects to the Nepalese people and their connection to land. We recognise the impact tourism has had on the people of Nepal, as well as the land, and our intent is never to minimise this impact or dismiss these struggles.

We will also be talking about Yosemite (Ahwahnee) which is land that belongs to Southern Miwuk people; the Ahwahnechee people, who were living on this land for over 7000 years before colonisation. This land was taken from the Ahwahnechee people and turned into to one of the largest tourist sites in California today. We pay our respects to the Ahwahnechee people past, present, and emerging.

Hi Bear! Podcast is recorded on the land of the Wurunjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our deepest respects to First Nations people here in Australia and all of the world and recognise their continual struggle for respect, land, and reconciliation. First Nations people of Australia have pioneered this earth for over 80,000 years and we need to act in solidarity as allies and accomplices in their battle for basic human rights and in the fight to preserve land, water, and connection to earth.

Song Credit:
"Lost Tracks" by Nicko Lunardi

Artwork:
Jen McHay