We went on a small adventure today, about 4 hours, not so easy when the day is reaching over 30. After driving by the turnoff and ending up at a dead end, we headed back the way we came and saw 2 people running so we asked them and they told us that it was the second turn on the left. We headed down the track, we came across some more runners, we stopped and one guy asked us did we live in the house on the property I said no we are just looking for the entrance to Mt Jellore. He told us there is a gate, just climb over and follow the track. We drove on but was soon stopped by a tree across the path so we parked the car and set on foot the rest of the way. We came to the gate which had a big sign saying 'Private Property', mmm how could this be how is one supposed to get to the mountain. I noticed the runners shoe prints on the other side and thought okay maybe we can, so we jumped the fence and followed the road to a house, no-one was home so we carried on, the road changed to a fire trail and the runners prints were still visible. After an hour, we finally see our goal. we stopped for a break before heading up the hard part but before that and what would make the rest of the climb hard would be nearly the point where we throw in the towel and head back. Karen took the lead and with this she pulled ahead, I needed to get back close to her, I caught up with her just in time to say calmly 'Stop don't move'. Karen did stop but didn't stay still she jumped back quickly and turned taking her eye off what lied ahead. With this, I watched something so astonishing and something I have never witnessed before. It was rocky, there were branches everywhere the ground had so many obstacles that it was crazy that it could move like that. Within in 3 seconds, it had travelled 30 metres Usain Bolt would have been battling to win this one. We would have had no chance at outrunning it. I basically averted a crisis as Karen was one step away from stepping on a Red-Bellied Black Snake. At this point, Karen wanted to turn back but I convinced her it was okay and I will take the lead again. I can hear Karen behind me her breathing was fast, every step from this point was a struggle her adrenalin was pumping. We came to the section that was steepish and this is where the ropes came in handy just to help with balance and grip. That wasn't so bad it is the zig zag section that would prove a bit of an issue for one person but there was a good reason. Halfway up we stopped and I explained to her that if you let the snake win then you may never go bushwalking again and that she had to control her breathing or she would start to hyperventilate. We started off again and I could feel the added weight on my back as Karen gripped the strap on the back of my pack. We finally made it to the top, a well-deserved rest is needed and for Karen to get her composure back. We stayed for half an hour just taking in the glorious views from the ledge. After something to eat it was time to climb back down, has Karen overcome her fear or will the walk down be just as terrifying for her. We headed off and Karen stuck close behind me even picking up a stick just in case. We get passed the zig-zag section, the rope section and then as I step onto a log Karen starts yelling, I freeze on the log my balance is off I am looking around frantically but see nothing, I lose my balance and fall back to earth I turn around said " What the f@#$" she says I was just yelling just in case there was one. Oh, my god, my legs went so tense that now they have turned to jelly. I explain to her not to do that again unless there really is one and let's not yell let's be quiet about it as not to startle the snake or me. We made it back without any more surprises. Karen had overcome her fear to be part of another adventure and the moral to this story is never become complacent in the bush as you never know what you may face.