Saturday 4th December 2021. After a year of delays thanks to covid border lockdowns and severe weather, a 15 strong New Weddington Isles Expedition Team, under Expedition Team Leader the Hon Doug Fitzgerald, successfully climbed to the peak of Mount Kosciusko and flew the flags of the New Weddington Isles and the Principality of Sealand (our joint partner on the climb) on the peak.
Setting off from Canberra to the Snowy mountains at 6am, this full day walk explored some of the greatest alpine country on offer in New South Wales, with spectacular views of the Blue, Club and Albina Lakes. The climb to the top of Mount Kosciuszko also crossed the Snowy River (twice). The Main Range route is a classic hike - with a total distance of about 22 km and cumulative climb of over 800m and took nine hours due to snowy conditions (snow in the Snowy's - who'd have thought)?
This included breaks for photo opportunities, rest stops and opportunities to view the surroundings high up along the rugged Main Range to the very rooftop of Australia, Mount Kosciuszko (2228m), where the views across the Australian Alps stretch as far as the eye can see; and the flags of New Weddington Isles and the Principle of Sealand flew side by side..Prince Michael of Sealand sent his best wishes to Lord Watitune on the news:
"Congratulations guys and thank you for carrying our flag to the highest mountain in Australia!
"Very best wishes, Michael."
And importantly no injuries - except for a couple of cases of sunburn! Discussions with the Team on the trek included drafting a calendar of further expeditions in the local National Parks for 2022 now that weather is improving and borders are opening (fingers crossed!!). Photos (c) 2021 The Hon Doug Fitzgerald
Setting off from Canberra to the Snowy mountains at 6am, this full day walk explored some of the greatest alpine country on offer in New South Wales, with spectacular views of the Blue, Club and Albina Lakes. The climb to the top of Mount Kosciuszko also crossed the Snowy River (twice). The Main Range route is a classic hike - with a total distance of about 22 km and cumulative climb of over 800m and took nine hours due to snowy conditions (snow in the Snowy's - who'd have thought)?
This included breaks for photo opportunities, rest stops and opportunities to view the surroundings high up along the rugged Main Range to the very rooftop of Australia, Mount Kosciuszko (2228m), where the views across the Australian Alps stretch as far as the eye can see; and the flags of New Weddington Isles and the Principle of Sealand flew side by side..Prince Michael of Sealand sent his best wishes to Lord Watitune on the news:
"Congratulations guys and thank you for carrying our flag to the highest mountain in Australia!
"Very best wishes, Michael."
And importantly no injuries - except for a couple of cases of sunburn! Discussions with the Team on the trek included drafting a calendar of further expeditions in the local National Parks for 2022 now that weather is improving and borders are opening (fingers crossed!!). Photos (c) 2021 The Hon Doug Fitzgerald
This came on a busy few days for the Isles – with an awareness event / exhibition arranged by NWI to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability the day before the hike (write up soon); and the New Weddington Isles Christmas Campaign to follow next week. As such, discussions are in place to place more autonomy and activity with the Courts Baron (the forum for Nobility of the Isles) and the Subjects of the New Weddington Isles.
Whatever happens in the macro world in 2022 – war with Russia over Ukraine? War with China over Taiwan? Covid variants, environmental decline etc – the New Weddington Isles is committed to providing a community and person-focussed positive perspective and to be a micronational exemplar of people-power over power-politics...
Whatever happens in the macro world in 2022 – war with Russia over Ukraine? War with China over Taiwan? Covid variants, environmental decline etc – the New Weddington Isles is committed to providing a community and person-focussed positive perspective and to be a micronational exemplar of people-power over power-politics...