by Joel1982 » Fri 23 Mar, 2018 10:10 am
Trip was awesome! Great weather, new friends, beautiful place...woild do it again in a heartbeat!
As far as my pack weight is concerned...I was comfortable with it the whole time. Relative to some on the track it was pretty light. Some people were quite unprepared and inexperienced with weights in the 25-30kg range. Or at least their circumstances dictated their pack weight (eg a husband carrying more than wife).
Discussed a few times with other soloists what equipment they would change. Here's my takeaway:
Wouldn't take next time: extra camera battery, 200g less scroggin, swap msr whisperlite for cheap gas burner (more for convenience than weight as i was usually first to start cooking and last to finish eating), gloves (for that time of year) because my fleece top had thumb holes to keep my hands warm, 250ml whiskey (no friends i met brought any drink and was not keen to drink by myself), thongs (swap for something warmer), guidebook (read beforehand thoroughly and bring the map to plan your day), bug spray.
Things i would bring: more toilet paper, gas stove, smaller pot for cooking, lip balm (forgot this and my lips were cracked and dry from the sun), knee brace (see below), one more tshirt, one more pair of socks.
Things I never used but would still bring: plb, toilet trowel, some first aid kit stuff, water purification tablets.
Even on warm sunny days the nights were cold. I slept in full clothing and thermals...sometimes even my down vest. The cold meant bugs were never an issue. Warmer footwear would mean more comfortable evenings checking out the stars from the helipads. Sleeping in the tent was warmer than the one time i slept in a hut (bert nicholls).
Between Kia ora and bert nicholls i had an old knee injury flare up. Something in there became inflamed and the ibruprofen helped...still, i had difficulties stepping down on one side. Less walking helped out a lot which means i had to change my plans - only one night at pine valley and took the ferry instead of racing around the lake. Taking my knee brace may or may not have helped prevent the injury or lessened the symptoms.
Highlights of the walk: labyrinth, view from pelion east, first up barn bluff in the morning, best star gazing on clear nights (surprised so few people did this!), listening to tassie devils late at night at windermere hut.
One good tip: only bring essentials back to your tent for the night. Sooo many people were harassed by possums and mice.