Nice Mowser. Like the preparation for harder hikes tip. If you can maintain regular maintenance fitness this doesn't take as much work to build on prior to a big climb. A bit of pack training each week around the neighbourhood/local hills) a month or so prior before really helps. There's nothing like being on top of your fitness during a trip. So rewarding.
This is all great advice. When I was a new backpacker, my fitness level wasn't up to the route I was on. I had been hiking all day and was so tired that I misread the sign at a trail junction. I went the wrong way instead of walking a short distance to a campsite. The trail's steep descent helped me realize I had gone the wrong way, and I turned back and was able to arrive at camp before it was dark. Fatigue can really cloud your thinking. Fortunately, I learned that lesson in a situation that was safe.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s amazing how real-life lessons on the trail can teach us so much about preparation and awareness. Glad you made it back safely!
The word I think you're wondering how to say is "awry." Not sure about Tasmania but in the US, it's pronounced "uh-RYE." For a long time I had only seen it in writing and didn't know myself how to say it.
Great advice, mate. When I'm preparing for a long heavy hike I'll spend a month carrying a 15kg rice bag in a day pack every time i leave the house, great for fitness and just getting your muscles ready and climatised for what's coming. I also checked the weather coming, but also what just passed, i learnt to look back the hard way by being flooded in from rain run off one time. It was a vital lesson.
That's an excellent strategy! Preparing your body and being aware of weather patterns can make all the difference on a long hike. I'll often also check river levels upstream to see what's potentially coming after a rain!
@mowsertas Thanks, mate. I'm really itching for that mowser affordable load out. I don't need it but really want your views on affordable gear for those who just got the itch.
Pronounced Ah-rye. Wuth several others I got forced the Bibbulmun track in June by a controlled burn. Parks and wildlife have scheduled anothef further south for next week. Fire is another thing to be way of as well. Good work mate.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Bibbulmun track! Good point - It’s crucial to stay informed about safety measures, especially with controlled burns happening in the area. Can't wait to do the Bibbulmun some time!
a week ago I wanted to test my tarp setups for downpour.. it's almost two months without rain so when I saw a storm on radar I packed up quickly into nearby forest... wind was so heavy that it was impossible to keep things dry... and those lightnings were so scary that I decided to left everything there and run for a life back to home... tried to think about some solution for those conditions and I came up only with one - to roll into tarp with everything and just wait. But overall I would rather be soaking wet then hit by lightning and I realized that none of youtube videos that I watched mention it .. googled something about it, but honestly, this is still my biggest fear
It sounds like quite the adventure! Stormy weather can be really unpredictable, and it's totally understandable to prioritize safety over gear. Rolling up in a tarp definitely sounds like a creative solution! Lightning does scare me too. We had a bit earlier in the year on a walk. This article is a pretty good read: thetrek.co/the-ultimate-guide-to-lightning-safety-for-thru-hiking-tips-resources/
My wife and I were on a hike last weekend in Northern Norway. We got a late start (too late. The hike to the cabin took twice as long as we thought because of a trail reroute.). We got caught on a mountain with darkness coming and thick fog rolling in. Thankfully we were prepared with a tarp and the knowledge to set it up without trees. It was uncomfortable but we never felt we were in danger. We made hot food and tea to keep warm. It was exhausting but it could have been much worse.
It's great to hear that you and your wife were well-prepared for your hike! Being ready for unexpected situations makes all the difference. Hopefully, your next adventure will be a bit smoother!
