DAY 3 – SERÓN to DICKSON

7 March, Tim’s Birthday

Waking before dawn, we were excited for what lay ahead. A heavy frost clung to the tents, making it difficult to get out of bed. It was a cold start, and I was especially grateful for the loan of Wenke’s wonderfully warm sleeping bag — I would have been cold in my summer bag.

Bundled into down pants and jackets, we made our way to the mess tent, joining a handful of others already moving quietly through their morning. Outside, the sky began its slow transformation — soft strokes of pink and gold spreading across the horizon.

Breakfast was simple: oatmeal, brown sugar, and protein powder.

Charley and Jaxon were ready first, packs on, and by 8:45am we headed out of camp and onto the trail toward Dickson.

TO DICKSON

The landscape opened almost immediately into a wide, sweeping valley. Golden grasses stretched endlessly, broken only by a brilliant blue river winding its way along the valley floor. For long stretches, the trail simply followed its path — rising gently above it, then dropping back down to meet it again.

It was easy walking. My new watch told me we were averaging about 5 km/h — a pace that felt comfortable. We grazed on trail mix as we walked, watching the river twist and turn. Jaxon spent much of the morning imagining the fishing possibilities.

There’s something quietly satisfying about this trek — the scale of it. We’re not just hiking to a viewpoint. We’re circling the entire mountain, all 130 kilometres of it. One step, one day at a time.

Eventually, the trail crossed the valley and began its final approach toward Camp Dickson. Just as it felt like the day was easing off, the track had one last say — a steep climb followed by an even steeper descent. The final drop into camp was a proper quad-burner with full packs.

At Dickson, we checked in with the ranger before heading to the privately run campground. Being Tim’s birthday, the staff marked the occasion with a free cold drink — a small gesture, but rewarding after a day on the trail.

The campground itself is beautifully set — tucked among trees and grassy meadows, with views stretching toward Lago Dickson and the surrounding peaks. We wandered for a bit before finding a flat patch to pitch the tents.

And then a lovely a hot shower.

After a dusty day of hiking, it was rather indulgent.

Everyone cooks in the communal kitchen — a requirement due to wildfire regulations, but one that turned out to be a highlight. These shared spaces are a way of bringing people together. Like us, the kiwi’s Jacqui & Greg with their dehydrated meals, Sophie with her mountain of food and the couple from Toronto, Frank & Jane once more cooked up a gourmet dinner, and generously shared a sausage with Jaxon. Petra and Armin from Munich, had couscous, soup, and their signature pot of tea. They’re the minimalists of the group. They pack what they need and nothing more, they have quiet confidence that comes from years in the mountains. We connected easily and enjoy many of the same sports.

After dinner, we wandered down to the lake. The evening was calm — no wind, no mosquitoes — just stillness. We skimmed rocks, took photos, and watched the day end.

Relief, Jaxon’s new boots are breaking in nicely. We feel the weight of the packs, legs are tired, but everyone’s feeling strong.

Three days in – no rain, and the O Trek is already everything we had hoped for.

DISTANCE: 19.43km ELEVATION GAIN: 498 m MOVING TIME: 4:35