The Grampians // Winter

Just recently on a day in June, we'd read that the Grampians has just experienced its biggest snowfall in recent years, and that the entire mountain range was engulfed in white. Without hesitating, we packed the car and drove 6 hours to reach halls gap. It was the middle of the night when we arrived, and the constant rain we experienced on the drive over had me doubting that anything would be left on the ground to photograph. Almost certain fate aside, we decided to hike deep out into the wilderness and patiently wait for the sun to rise over the eastern face of this incredible region. The minutes before sunrise always fascinate me with how rapidly the world changes colour, and on this particular day, the explosion of light that appeared once the sun broke the horizon, made every frost bitten limb worth the pain.

This feeling, this is Sunday. You’re on the last leg of the hike, there’s a rocky outcrop that you wander to the edge of, and you look over the valley and mountain range you’ve spent your whole day conquering. The sun has set, and that beautiful twilight pink covers your entire viewspace. You’re cold, you’re sore, and it’s a long, long way until you’re back in the comfort of the car, and eventually home. But you stand there. Time is no longer relevant, as the sole purpose of your weekend adventure has been to witness this moment. Sure Monday will suck, but the feeling you get right now, is enough to sustain you until Saturday morning.