EIGHTY years of age and he still covers more kilometres in a day than most of us.
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Pete Rodger is a co-founder of the Armidale Bushwalking Club and has been trekking since the young age of 14.
He still regularly goes on overnight walks and wants to encourage other members of the community to get involved with the amazing scenery on Armidale’s doorstep.
“I’ve always had close ties to the area, but my first experience at bush walking was in the Blue Mountains,” Mr Rodger said.
“I’ve been walking for almost 66 years, some of my greatest life lessons have come out of walking.”
“There is nothing like snuggling into your sleeping or sitting round the fire after a day walking.”
Mr Rodger has no plans to stop walking yet and is still a regular leader on the club’s walks, although though he did admit not talking much during the uphill climbs.
The Bushwalking Club currently has around 40 members, not all active but with a core group that regularly go on day walks and longer multi day walks.
Club President Peter Laffan said the area surrounding Armidale is amazing and that people are lucky to be living in an area providing such an abundance of natural beauty and adventure.
“The hardest part is just to start walking”, Mr Laffan said.
“Walking fitness comes from walking so just get started with small walks and build from there.”
The club runs regular walks throughout the year.
“We tailor our walks to the seasons, the gorges can be stinking hot in summer and the ridge tops freezing in winter,” Mr Laffan said.
People don’t have to join the club to go on walks, the most important thing is for people just to experience what the area has to offer.
Nevertheless, for those who lack the confidence or want insider knowledge, contact the Armidale Bushwalking Club on visit armidalebuswalkers.org
