Wow - interesting - hadn't thought to use chemical hand warmers @ChrisJHC. Is that tried and true? It really dries out wet boots if placed inside?
@Huntsman247 I will have a look at Sealskinz - that's a good tip.
I have just yesterday booked and paid for my flights to Launceston, and accommodation at each end, as the bus leaves at 7 am you kind of already need to be in Launceston the night before, and vice-versa on the way back the bus leaves at 2.30 pm which taking 3 hours doesn't easily connect to a flight back. Hence a night in Launceston in each direction.
I also just had a lighter / smaller pack arrive today - a Berghaus Fast Hike 45.
I had previously bought the Granite Gear Crown X60 from a member on here, but unfortunately it didn't fit me well with my torso length and being a men's version, so I sold it on. (Thank you Bushwalk people and website, who make this such an easy and pleasant process to do.)
I bought the Berghaus Fast Hike 45 on a bit of a whim, having had good experience with Berghaus and liking my present Wilderness 60+15 pack by them, and there was a really good deal on it shipped from UK (no longer available or I'd pass on link), and there's a very comprehensive review on Youtube which was favourable. Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5rPpKea-D4&t=1268sIt's 920 grams, and can be stripped down in various ways, to 520 gram lowest weight fully stripped. (Photo attached for the gear geeks' interest)
I figured if I couldn't make it work for the Overland Track, it would be a great pack for shorter trips of 2-3 days, rather than my big Berghaus Wilderness 60+15 L pack. So I'm happy to have both packs, regardless.
However with it now arrived, I love it, and it's comfortable on the bust and fits me albeit with straps at my side fully pulled in to maximum. I want to see if I can make it work. It'll be very tight in terms of 45 L capacity and I think best suits loads under around 10 kg to be comfortable. So I've got an alternative Lighter Pack list with the smaller pack, to run this as a simultaneous option. Currently at a base of around around >6 kg.
https://www.lighterpack.com/r/bpa21i One of the benefits of buying a smaller pack is it forces you to not pack crap or weight you don't truly need, right?! However if I can't fit the food, I'll ditch and revert to my Wilderness 60+15 L pack.
I'm so appreciative to this community's input and ideas. So thank you so much everyone.