By 1992 I was 48 years old, had completed more than twenty major worldwide treks, and considered myself an experienced and competent backpacker. Then I hear about a challenging route in southwest Tasmania and decide to go there, brashly hoping for an opportunity to put my backcountry knowledge and proficiency to the test. Confronted by a series of privations, including an incident that almost ends tragically, I learn a valuable life lesson the hard way.