Nelly Brett becomes youngest person to climb all 158 Abel Mountains

Nelly Brett was 13 years old when she landed on a dream to climb all 158 Abel Mountains. Four years later, she has achieved it, with her dad joining her every step of the way. All about their journey.

Nelly Brett 17 with her dad Gavin Brett who recently finished climbing all 158 Abel mountains around Tasmania – the first father and daughter to do so and Nelly has become the youngest to do this feat too. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

For Nelly and Gavin Brett, their walks have been more than just a weekend activity – they have changed their relationship forever.

Nelly was just seven years old when she first started hiking with her dad.

Five years into her journey and after an exhausting hike up Mount Field West, Nelly landed on a mission to complete all 158 mountains featured in Bill Wilkinson’s guide to the Abels.

And now at 17, she stands as the youngest person to ever do it.

Nelly Brett 17. Nelly Brett 17 with her dad Gavin Brett who recently finished climbing all 158 Abel mountains around Tasmania – the first father and daughter to do so and Nelly has become the youngest to do this feat too. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The culmination of 10 years of hiking was met with emotion and relief, Mr Brett said.

“We had a super touching and sentimental going up on the last mountain, thinking how much Nelly’s developed,” he said.

“I’m just very proud, and very happy to have such a good relationship with my daughter.”

The feelings were reciprocated by Nelly, who had come to see her father not as a figure of discipline but as someone who was “going through life for the first time as well”, discovering the uniqueness and rugged beauty of rarely-seen places.

Nelly Brett on kunanyi/Mount Wellington during her journey of climbing all the 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains. Nelly Brett completed all 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains at age 17 years 11 months and 4 days old over an almost 10 year period. Picture: Gavin Brett

Nelly Brett with father Gavin Brett at the summit of Tramontane the second last Abel completed. Nelly Brett completed all 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains at age 17 years 11 months and 4 days old over an almost 10 year period. Picture: Gavin Brett

It was in these areas Nelly learnt to “live in the moment”.

“I’m not a stressed person because walking for a long time forces you to get away from thinking about the future or the past,” she said.

“You’re very much in the zone.”

Making time for her passions, and pursuing a long-term goal even with schooling pressures were lessons Mr Brett was proud to pass on to his daughter.

Nelly Brett paddling on Lake Burbury. Nelly Brett completed all 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains at age 17 years 11 months and 4 days old over an almost 10 year period. Picture: Gavin Brett

Nelly Brett completed all 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains at age 17 years 11 months and 4 days old over an almost 10 year period. Picture: Gavin Brett

He recalled an early moment in their journey when he vowed to cease “motivational speeches”, hoping to foster within her resilience and self-determination.

It was a technique that paid off.

“I learned about having a goal and accepting that sometimes I would have to miss something, change the plan last minute or be flexible,” Nelly said.

Mr Brett said flexibility was certainly a must for anyone hoping to embark on a similar journey, with Tasmania’s capricious weather often complicating their meticulous plans.

Despite this, the duo would not have had their journey any other way.

“It is like another full-time job, you dedicate a lot of time to it,” he said.

“But the way I looked at this was I didn’t want to be pushy, or make it only my thing.

“It’s about just letting your kid figure out what they like, and then going on the journey together.”

Nelly Brett with father Gavin Brett at Pyramid Mountain summit. Nelly Brett completed all 158 Tasmanian Abel mountains at age 17 years 11 months and 4 days old over an almost 10 year period. Picture: Gavin Brett

Originally published as Nelly Brett becomes youngest person to climb all 158 Abel Mountains