When people take the time to ‘recharge their batteries’,  images of lying beside pools, reading books and drinking cocktails generally come to mind, but not for local Wanniassa  woman Lizanne Dalgleish, 26; it was twenty-six days straight of hiking, camping, paddling and riding over 500km and three states that did the trick!

Liz’s epic journey, which saw her mountain bike across the Great Dividing Range, summit Mount Koscuizko and raft down the majestic snowy river as part of Outward Bound’s Summit to Sea adventure in January, was an opportunity to disconnect from the everyday stresses of life and re-energise for the New Year.

“2011 was a big year for me,” said Liz.

“I had a close family member pass away, I was working full time hours while trying to finish my nursing degree and had been offered a Graduate position with the Canberra Hospital, which met a big move from Brisbane.

“By the time November had rolled around I was feeling pretty drained. It was at this stage, I started surfing the net for my next holiday destination and I came across the Outward Bound Summit to Sea adventure. With sentences like “the ultimate adventure” and “not for the faint hearted” I thought it was just the physical challenge I had been looking for! However What I had not thought about was the social, education, moral and emotional challenges and achievements I would be faced with as well.”

The epic adventure took Liz, as well as nine strangers from across the country on a journey of inspiration and self-discovery, starting on foot in the rugged hills of the Namadgi National Park in the ACT, through Aboriginal heritage sites and Australia’s colonial history.

After paddling across what was once the town of Adaminaby – sunken to create the Snowy Hydro Electricity scheme, Liz mountain-biked across the Great Dividing Range before entering the Koscuizko National Park, where she scaled Australia’s three highest peaks and witnessed stunning 360 degree vistas.

Continuing on foot, Liz and the group reached the Snowy River National Park and famous scene of Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River. After paddling the majestic Snowy River before trekking her way through Victorian State Forests, she arrived at her final destination, the sandy beaches looking over Bass Strait at Cape Conran.

Liz said the biggest challenge and probably one of the most pivotal moments in her life came at the very end of the trip.

“We were on our final day of the last hiking expedition. We had literally bush-bashed for 19 hours to reach our destination at 2am. We re-awoke at 6am to start the last physical challenge – running 15.6km to the Tasman Sea. I’d never run 15.6km, nor did I ever think I would. My whole body was aching after the long day of walking from the day before but there wasn’t a moment in that 15.6km run that I even thought giving up was an option. I reached the sand, a flag was marking the finish line with a view of the water crashing. I ran through that flag and kept going. With each stride I took off my shoes and socks and I kept running till I reached that water. I jumped in and as I emerged I looked out and it was what I can only describe as a true moment of reflection.

I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment. I had just travelled from the ACT to Victoria, I had just found nine amazing new friends, I had not yielded in the face of adversity, I had strived to conquer my challenges and I had served my community and myself with integrity along the way. I had just achieved something that very few people have the honour of saying they have achieved. I’d just completed Summit to Sea.

“After completing Summit to Sea, I’ve come back to my life unable to see negative. I’ve always been a half glass full type of person but like most, I’ve also had self doubt that has held me back from doing a lot of things. Now, my self doubt is gone and all I hold is excitement for my future both in a personal and work related sense.

“Summit to Sea is hands down the best thing I have ever done. I came back feeling indescribably free. Free from my worries, free from my fears, reconnected with my values and found a true sense of self-belief within.”

Ben Farinazzo, CEO of Outward Bound Australia says Summit to Sea is the flagship course for the Outward Bound, which has been providing challenging life experience for Australians for over 50 years.

"Outward Bound is designed to challenge people, get them to explore their personal boundaries and grow,” said Mr Farinazzo.

“We do this in some of the most stunning surroundings Australia has to offer.

“So often we hear tales of how an Outward Bound journey has had profound effects on a participant’s life, even decades after the course.”

For more information about Summit to Sea or Outward Bound’s shorter courses, visit www.outwardbound.org.au or Free Call 1800 267 999.