Bushwalk Australia

Am in planning on doing GWA A to K in mid April (7 to 9 days). Below is our proposed gear list (2 guys). Appreciate any comments. Too much, too little, etc. Thanks in advance. Nick

Evening /sleeping gear
Possum/merino hat
Neck warmer
Possum gloves cut fingers
Thermal top long sleeve
Thermal tights
Down jacket.
Bed socks
Crocs

Day time hiking gear
Thermal undies x 2
Thin socks x 2
Thick socks x 2
Thermal T-shirt x 2
Thermal long sleeve (thin) x 1
Thermal long sleeves (thick) x 1
Hiking shorts
Synthetic Vest
Rain hat (OR)
Rain jacket (Mont)
Wind proof pants
Gaiters
Boots
Possum gloves full finger.
Waterproof gloves shell

Tent and Sleeping
Tent and foot print (Exped Venus 2)
Sleeping bag
Sleep mat
Pillow
Seat pad

Cooking
Pots
Stove
Gas bottles X 2 (250 g)
Spoons
Knife (sharp)
Knife (spreading)
Bowl
Cup
Aluminium cooker wind shelter
Sponge
Rubbish bag

Personal Hygine and Effects
Head light and spare batteries
Tooth brush
Tooth paste small (Nick)
Trowel
Toilet paper x 3 rolls
Handy wipe paper towel
Sunscreen container
Ear plugs
Deodorant
Hand sanitiser
Water bladder
Water bottle
First aid kit
Water purification tablets

Support Items
Duct Tape. Small
Whistle
Safety blanket
Matches waterproof
Rope 20m
Epirb
Repair kit for mattress
Hiking poles
Compass
Pencil
Camera
Kindle
Alarm clock watch

Camping gear seems OK (what sort of tent/mat/bag?) but you're carrying what seems to be an awful lot of walking clothes - for A-K. Four tops, plus vest, plus rainjacket seems like overkill to me. I've never taken more than one long sleeved top, shirt, light jacket and rainjacket.

Don't try doing the WArthurs in possum gloves - fine for camp wear, but they'll be shredded before you reach Cygnus if you wear them while walking. Get a pair of gardening gloves (or something similar) to protect your hands from the scrub and rock if necessary. Something like the Ninja Ice gloves are reasonably warm.

Also, seven days is what it took me last time I did A-K, and that included lays days at both High Moor and Haven, and a fair bit of peak-bagging. Sounds like a very slow trip you have planned.

Thanks NNW. Might trim my clothes. Will ditch day time possum gloves. Camping gear is Exped Venus II tent, Nunatak down quilt (-10c) and thermorest neoair xtherm pad. Nick

You might like to see the gear list I published in my blog about two days ago - in response to a request. Seems a popular topic at present. For 9 days, I'd make it 3 pairs of socks rather than 2.
natureloverswalks.blogspot.com

IMO you are over packing. The following are unnecessary:

Evening /sleeping gear
Bed socks (you already have a spare pair of thin and thick socks)
Neck warmer
Crocs

Day time hiking gear
Thermal undies x 1
Thin socks x 1
Thick socks x 1
Thermal T-shirt x 1
Thermal long sleeve (thin) x 1
Synbhetic vest
Possum gloves full finger.
Waterproof gloves shell
+ Tougher gloves as suggested

Tent and Sleeping
Pillow (use clothes in sleeping bag cover)
Seat pad

Cooking
Pots (1 is enough)
Spoons (1 is enough)
Knife (spreading)
Bowl (eat from the pot)
Cup (I drink from my cook pot)


Personal Hygiene and Effects
Head light and spare batteries (controversial omission but I believe these are useless unless you insist on walking at night)
Toilet paper x 2 rolls (1 is enough)
Handy wipe paper towel
Ear plugs
Deodorant


Support Items
Safety blanket
Pencil
Kindle

I'd suggest weighing it all and adjusting as necessary.

Somewhere like the Arthurs if you've not experienced it before you will really suffer if you don't keep the weight down.
Under or around 20kg including food would be advisable. The ups and downs / occasional scrambling is hard work.
At that time of year you'll need to balance being cold and wet against the tendency to over packing clothing.

IMHO you have a lot of cruft in your list that I wouldn't bother with, it will just make a hard walk even harder.
Things such as:
deodorant
neck warner
possum gloves
bed socks
synthetic vest - I would probably take a good downie and leave it at that.. walk in thermals and put shell layer on if weather is bad.
pillow - put clothes in a stuff sack
water purification tables - i guess they don't weigh much, but not necessary.
safety blanket - extra weight. Not sure what it gives you.. if you have an epirb / tent / sleeping bag.
Rope - 20m - you probably only need 5m of cord strong enough to raise or lower a pack.
Hiking Poles - not convinced they entirely useful in the Arthurs. Personal preference i guess.

How do you get to loo at night without a torch, Pedro? Also a good survival item for rescue.

Poles - don't bother. Across the plains maybe, but as soon as you hit the Moraine A ascent, I don't see you using them much until after descending off K. You'll need your hands more than poles once up on the range.

South_Aussie_Hiker wrote:How do you get to loo at night without a torch, Pedro? Also a good survival item for rescue.

Poles - don't bother. Across the plains maybe, but as soon as you hit the Moraine A ascent, I don't see you using them much until after descending off K. You'll need your hands more than poles once up on the range.

Yep, would have to think that would be a very controversial omission. I wouldn't walk without a headtorch, even on a daywalk. You never know when you're going to get lost, be late etc. Plus it makes going to the loo at night a heck of a lot easier as SA Hiker alludes to!

As others have said, there are a few things that you could do without, but top of the list would be the deodorant for me It isn't going to work after 7-9 days of proper walking, and besides, it isn't a proper walk unless you stink.

Depending on how you like to eat, 2 pots is probably enough, don't need to bother with the bowl/cup that way. 1 sharp knife can also be used to spread. 1 spoon each is plenty, as I assume you had meant. Wouldn't bother with paper towel. You have hand sanitiser to clean up with, not to mention just good old water.

10m of rope seems like a good compromise to me, and it doesn't have to be terribly thick stuff either, as it's unlikely you'll be trusting yourself to it, rather just your gear when lowering/hauling etc.

Agree with SA Hiker re poles, but then I don't like to walk with them at the best of times. I doubt you'd find them much of a help, and probably more of a hindrance on the middle part of the range.

I personally like having a pillow, as I find I need something raised a little off the ground, especially seeing as I sleep on a 10cm high mat (Exped Downmat), and assuming you have one of the hiking types, they are pretty small and don't weigh much, so worth it for improved sleep quality IMO. Others' opinions will vary. I think I would be less inclined to take the seat pad, as there are generally plenty of spots to sit around the place.

As far as clothes go, I typically tend to pack one set of night clothes, one set of day clothes. Night clothes includes a dry set of thermals, often worn to bed, as well as a pair of thin and thick socks, a beanie and often a down jacket. I won't bother with the down if I expect it to be relatively warm, just wearing a long-sleeve thermal and polar fleece instead. I would usually tend to pack one extra pair of undies as a just in case. Day clothes would be thick socks, shorts, t-shirt (usually woollen), polar fleece and raincoat. IMO walking in thermals sucks, as they just tend to get wet/cold/ripped, especially on some of the stuff up there. Same goes for gloves IMO; waterproofs/shells would be a decent addition, as well as some liners for evenings, but I wouldn't bother walking in them. Shorts and gaiters all the way for me, but everybody has their own way. Windproof/rainproof pants are another thing I rarely bother with, rather preferring a long coat, but again, everybody differs. My leg hair is also quite thick... As am I, probably. You could probably cut out a fair bit here, as others have said, including 1 pair of thin and thick socks, the gloves and at least 3 tops. Personally I would go for a polar fleece over a vest, but YMMV.

naturelover wrote: For 9 days, I'd make it 3 pairs of socks rather than 2.

Interesting how everybody differs, I generally tend to just wear 1 pair of socks for all my walking, then keep a dry pair for camp/sleeping! They'll often be wet, but isn't that one of the beauties of Tassie walking?

Also, not to offend Nick, but I suppose someone ought to ask the question: How much Tassie experience do you have? You seem pretty well set up, and it really isn't that difficult if you've done a bit of walking before, but it's a fair bit harder than the OLT etc. I'm sure you guys are experienced enough, but it never hurts to check.

Enough rambling, hope you guys have an awesome time!

South_Aussie_Hiker wrote:How do you get to loo at night without a torch, Pedro? Also a good survival item for rescue.

The same way people went for thousands of years - using ambient light. There's plenty at night. Solo, I'd take an EPIRB. Who is looking at night anyway? Most search and rescue is during the day. Seems like a far fetched usage for an item.

PedroArvy wrote:

South_Aussie_Hiker wrote:How do you get to loo at night without a torch, Pedro? Also a good survival item for rescue.

The same way people went for thousands of years - using ambient light. There's plenty at night. Solo, I'd take an EPIRB. Who is looking at night anyway? Most search and rescue is during the day. Seems like a far fetched usage for an item.

Having spoken to a few people who work on the rescue chopper, searching by night is something that happens not infrequently, and considering they use night vision, a reasonable source of light potentially makes you much much easier to spot. They talk about even a phone screen making a big difference, so imagine how much easier a headtorch might make things.

And FWIW, I would take a PLB (EPIRB) whatever the trip, solo or otherwise. Everybody's opinions differ, though.

I still can't accept the logic if I am already taking an EPIRB. I am basing it on the following. What are the odds of requiring a rescue? I in 1000, 10000? Whatever they are they are slim. What are the odds of snake bite Also low - but you better take a wide selection of anti venom. What are the odds of high rivers? Better take food for 4 extra days. What are the odds of falling? Better take full on rock climbing gear and on these scenarios go. If you consider all these most unlikely worst cases you will take tons gear that is mostly going to be useless.

If you must, take a photon freedom microlight for rescue, but I doubt it will be used for that purpose in 100 years of hiking.

Also, you have a stove, you could use that when the chopper comes a looking.

So you just crawl into your tent and go to sleep as soon as it gets dark? Headlamp allows you to read in the evenings as well.
There are a number of things on the list I'd leave behind, but the Kindle and headlamp are standard. Given the possibility of being stuck in the tent at some stage due to bad weather, having something to read is close to a necessity.

It's not all about how little you can take. If a walker prefers a little extra comfort in exchange for a slightly heavier load, that's their choice.

Thank you all for your feedback. Am feeling a little less manly than before my post...

I will be excluding the following:

possum gloves for day time use
1 x thick socks
synthetic vest
Waterproof gloves shell
Thermal long sleeve (thin) x 1
Day thermal pants
Walking poles

1 Pot
1 spoon
1 knife (sharp)

Handy wipe paper towel
Deodorant

Will weigh when packing and chk. There are 2 of us some of the items will be split. Pretty certain I will come in well below 20kg.

Nick

Good thread and interesting for me to follow and see the feedback as I am doing the same walk in early May.

For comparison (and comment) my list is below. I am walking with another so can share the weight of some gear (broken down at the end).

And yes, always planned for just one set of each clothing . Other than socks - i like options for different condtions

PedroArvy wrote:I still can't accept the logic if I am already taking an EPIRB. I am basing it on the following. What are the odds of requiring a rescue? I in 1000, 10000? Whatever they are they are slim. What are the odds of snake bite Also low - but you better take a wide selection of anti venom. What are the odds of high rivers? Better take food for 4 extra days. What are the odds of falling? Better take full on rock climbing gear and on these scenarios go. If you consider all these most unlikely worst cases you will take tons gear that is mostly going to be useless.

If you must, take a photon freedom microlight for rescue, but I doubt it will be used for that purpose in 100 years of hiking.

Also, you have a stove, you could use that when the chopper comes a looking.

I agree with you on the premise that if you're simply taking it as insurance in case of a night time chopper rescue, a headtorch is unnecessary. However, there are a large variety of other, more likely reasons that I find a headtorch useful, which is why I would never be without one. Being found is justa bonus.

A good cheap head torch is less than 100 grams, it's a no-brainer IMHO, always in the pack (rucksack or day pack, I never go on a walk without it).
It's got nothing to do with rescues, it's a fundamental & necessary piece of kit, surely (tho, if you get delayed then yes, it certainly enables self-rescue without having to sit out a night in the dark).
This trip is also planned for mid-April, the days are substantially shorter & some people have big days on the WA traverse, surely light to cook, read, squirrel, wee etc by is not a luxury?

nq111 wrote:Good thread and interesting for me to follow and see the feedback as I am doing the same walk in early May.

Firelighters? It's Tassie peat, a National Park and WHA. No fires.

nq111 wrote:Good thread and interesting for me to follow and see the feedback as I am doing the same walk in early May.

For comparison (and comment) my list is below. I am walking with another so can share the weight of some gear (broken down at the end).

And yes, always planned for just one set of each clothing . Other than socks - i like options for different condtions

Ditch the crampons - you'll need a once in 100 years cold snap for them to be useful.
I've walked the Arthurs under snow and ice, it was in October but the range is relatively low altitude so it tends not to accumulate snow, too maritime.. any snow get washed away pretty quickly.
Maybe if it was July / August and there was heavy snow to sea level forecast and persisting for a few days, then you might get some use out of them.

Sunscreen - N/A - you do realise there is no ozone layer down here?

Not sure that Mitts are useful. I tend to use polypro gloves at camp and walk in Ninja gloves from the hardware store.
Personally never bothered with Microfleece trousers too hot to walk in - I prefer thermals, with over trousers.. if its really cold at camp I get in my sleep bag. Personal preference.

I have a Marmot Plasma - I find it good for summer, but I get a little cold. So I use a Reactor liner.
Not sure what the value of you WMC hotsac is? If its bad you get into your tent and sleeping bag? I guess if its light.

Why is the foam mat needed?

As I mentioned before - in the Arthurs you really don't want to be lugging a massive pack.
I read some peoples gear lists on here and go wow, your either a machine or you've got a big surprise coming when you get past Lake Oberon.

north-north-west wrote: Firelighters? It's Tassie peat, a National Park and WHA. No fires.

Emergency item only - weighs a few grams. Probably overkill given I will also have a dirty great bottle of shelite.

Azza wrote:Ditch the crampons - you'll need a once in 100 years cold snap for them to be useful.
I've walked the Arthurs under snow and ice, it was in October but the range is relatively low altitude so it tends not to accumulate snow, too maritime.. any snow get washed away pretty quickly.
Maybe if it was July / August and there was heavy snow to sea level forecast and persisting for a few days, then you might get some use out of them.

Yeah, I am not sure on the crampons either. My mate wants to take them as we have previously had tent days after snow /sleet where we it has been too slippery to move - but otherwise ok. But you are right, has generally melted enough after a day or so. The ones I may take are light trail crampons - a small step up from microspikes.

Azza wrote:Sunscreen - N/A - you do realise there is no ozone layer down here?

That is confusing by me. By N/A I am meaning no brand or specific details - i am taking those items.

Azza wrote:Not sure that Mitts are useful. I tend to use polypro gloves at camp and walk in Ninja gloves from the hardware store.

For walking. My fingers get very cold with lots of scrambling on cold, wet rock - especially if windy. These gloves flip back to a fingerless fleece glove for dexterity (E.g scrambling) then the mitt tip comes back down on the less vertical bits to get some more warmth into the fingers.

Azza wrote:Personally never bothered with Microfleece trousers too hot to walk in - I prefer thermals, with over trousers.. if its really cold at camp I get in my sleep bag. Personal preference.

Never walked in Tassie in anything but shorts either. These are for camp. They are just fancy thermals - a very light microgrid fleece that is skin tight. I want a full baselayer as I sleep in a vapour barrier.

Azza wrote:I have a Marmot Plasma - I find it good for summer, but I get a little cold. So I use a Reactor liner.

?No problem with warmth in mine?

Azza wrote:Not sure what the value of you WMC hotsac is? If its bad you get into your tent and sleeping bag? I guess if its light.

Its a vapour barrier to sleep in - goes inside the sleeping bag. I wouldn't be without it. Adds a significant amount of warmth plus preserves the loft of the down over the length of the trip. There was a discussion about vapour barrier liners in the gear section of this form not long ago.

Azza wrote:Why is the foam mat needed?

1. As an adjuvant to my Expend Synmat UL - which is barely warm enough for a colder than average night. 2. As a backup in case the inflatable mat gets an unrepairable hole. Only torso length - pretty light but a bit bulky.

Azza wrote:As I mentioned before - in the Arthurs you really don't want to be lugging a massive pack.
I read some peoples gear lists on here and go wow, your either a machine or you've got a big surprise coming when you get past Lake Oberon.

I get that. I am not UL but like to save where I can. Then again, my pack now days almost feels UL compared to the crap I used to carry into the bush when I lived down there. I estimate my first Overland Track pack at about 33-35kg! Poor uni student - had a decent tent and sleeping bag - everything else was cheap and heavy.

nq111 wrote:Yeah, I am not sure on the crampons either. My mate wants to take them as we have previously had tent days after snow /sleet where we it has been too slippery to move - but otherwise ok. But you are right, has generally melted enough after a day or so. The ones I may take are light trail crampons - a small step up from microspikes.

A day or so its usual its more like 2 hrs... especially around mid April.
Have a look at the forecast before you leave. If it doesn't say once in a hundred year storm with snow to sea level you won't need them. Microspikes would suffice.
You just wont get that scenario in mid April. Lucky to get it in winter to be honest.
I've only managed to use my crampons once in 10 years.

nq111 wrote:For walking. My fingers get very cold with lots of scrambling on cold, wet rock - especially if windy. These gloves flip back to a fingerless fleece glove for dexterity (E.g scrambling) then the mitt tip comes back down on the less vertical bits to get some more warmth into the fingers.

You will be constantly be grabbing onto branches and root, such that you'll never actually have the mitts on.
Just keep in mind that scoparia shreds this sort of thing..
You can get Ninja Ice gloves from the hardware store for like $10 and they do a reasonable job of protecting you hands from all the spikey plants and you can scramble okay in them.
http://www.ninjagloves.com/docs/ninja_icehtp.htm

nq111 wrote:

Azza wrote:I have a Marmot Plasma - I find it good for summer, but I get a little cold. So I use a Reactor liner.

?No problem with warmth in mine?

Actually mine is the Plasma 30 I think.
No problem with yours but you still need to use your WMC hotsac?

nq111 wrote:1. As an adjuvant to my Expend Synmat UL - which is barely warm enough for a colder than average night. 2. As a backup in case the inflatable mat gets an unrepairable hole. Only torso length - pretty light but a bit bulky.

Just remember the foam needs to go inside your pack, otherwise it'll be shredded to pieces. That goes for pretty much everything.. strapped stuff to the outside is generally a bad idea in Tassie.
Unfortunately the Arthurs is littered with little pieces of blue foam from those that thought strapping it to the outside of their pack was a good idea.
If you can't fit it inside, then I'd advise to not take it. Take some tenacious tape - it patches slashes in air mattresses quite effectively.

nq111 wrote:I get that. I am not UL but like to save where I can. Then again, my pack now days almost feels UL compared to the crap I used to carry into the bush when I lived down there. I estimate my first Overland Track pack at about 33-35kg! Poor uni student - had a decent tent and sleeping bag - everything else was cheap and heavy.

Good luck.
You do tend to see a lot of people carry everything bar the kitchen sink in the Arthurs, all sorts of junk swinging around on the back of their pack.
Also Tassie plants know how to ruin all your expensive gear, so you may want to consider that.

PedroArvy wrote:IMO you are over packing. The following are unnecessary:
...
Cup
Head light and spare batteries
Ear plugs
Kindle
...

A cup or mug is very handy for collecting water in awkward places where a bottle is too big. I have a small insulated mug which is great for cool evenings at the campsite. I agree with the other comments about a torch being essential - there are so many reasons to have one. As a light sleeper I find ear plugs pretty much essential, particularly when it gets windy. A flapping tent can drive me nuts. A Kindle is a wonderful thing when tent-bound although I agree it's optional if weight reduction is the primary goal.

We have now completed our GWA hike (A to K). I will do a trip report separately. The gear list we took is below with some selected comments:

Evening /sleeping gear
Possum/merino hat
Possum gloves cut fingers
Thermal top long sleeve
Thermal tights
Down jacket.
Bed socks
Crocs

Day time hiking gear
Thermal undies x 2 (only 1 required)
Thin socks x 2 (only 1 required)
Thick socks x 2 (only 1 required)
Thermal T-shirt x 2 (only 1 required)
Thermal long sleeves (thick) x 1
Hiking shorts
Synthetic Vest
Rain hat (OR)
Rain jacket (Mont) Happy with this jacket.
Wind proof pants (Did not use, not sure required unless in winter)
Gaiters (critical. Used one plant, press studs broke day 2, not happy. Friend had Sea to summit, they did not break and worked well)
Boots (I was happy I had proper Scarper boots, could not imagine doing in trail shoes or similar)
Ninja Ice Gloves (critical item. thanks for the suggestion, these were really great)

Tent and Sleeping
Tent and foot print (Exped Venus 2 - benign weather, so tent felt like overkill)
Sleeping quilt. Excellent Nunatuk quilt. Was super happy with this.
Sleep mat
Pillow
Seat pad (small section of yoga mat, a great comfort addition for little weight)

Cooking
Pot
Stove
Gas bottle X 1 (250 g)
Spoon
Knife (sharp)
Bowl
Cup
Aluminium cooker wind shelter
Rubbish bag

Personal Hygine and Effects
Head light and spare batteries
Tooth brush
Tooth paste small
Trowel
Hand sanitiser
Water bladder
Water bottle
First aid kit
Water purification tablets

Support Items
Duct Tape. Small
Whistle
Safety blanket
Matches waterproof
Rope 20m (we used this once near High More)
Epirb
Repair kit for mattress
Hiking poles (I think these remain critical. I used them extensively on 3 of the 6 days, my knees were grateful)
Compass
Camera

We took way too much food. Strive food from Tas was really excellent - really tasty. Double serves did us very well (we both weigh about 100kg). We took desert but could not eat it as mains were so large.

Thanks Nick
How many days was the walk?
Also do you think you needed the 20m of rope?

A lot of people use a rope at the top of the Tilted Chasm (in the Beggary Bumps).
It's only really needed becasue there is a short drop at the top of the chasm & the rock is a bit rotten / crumbly & it's seen as easier to lower your pack down this bit first...you'd probably only need 10m rope max.
Parks probably need to do something with this little section, last time we were there (a year and a half ago) it was getting pretty beaten up, people using the pandani to haul rope around, hang off etc.
I'm guessing some people may also use ropes going up Pegasus (there's a short rock scrambling section) & maybe to drag packs through the hole at the top of Pegasus if not strong enough to muscle them up.
Depends on how adept at scrambling you are, if you're not sure take a short length just in case, doesn't weigh much & can be used as a clothesline

We were gone 7 days. Great weather for 5 days.

I note this hike is super hard from a physical standpoint. I will do our trip review in a few days but in summary we feel like we have been through a meat grinder.

As for rope...good idea to take it. We only used it once but discussed using it several other times. 10m is probably enough too. I note though the peoples reactions to heights and other dangerous situations are different. So better to be prepared than found lacking.

What type of rope did you take - was it light para-cord or similar? Interested as I am about to buy some and don't want anything too heavy.

I usually use 8mm. If you go too small, like paracord you may find it is too hard to hold. Remember you will be pulling up or lowering a 15+ kg pack over rocks .
Also your hands could be cold and wet.
The rope doesnt have to be climbing rope unless you're going to be using it for your own safety.

Roger

Light webbing is what I use. 20 to 25mm wide, maybe .5 to 1mm thick. Plenty strong enough for a loaded pack and much easier on the hands, wet or dry. No idea as to comparable weight.