After hiking many of Australia's and NZ's best trails, hiking fanatic Claudia Payne shares some sound advice about preparing for multi-day walks.
While growing up in an industrial city in Germany, Claudia Payne suffered severe allergies. Her symptoms disappeared when she wandered through the Black Forest with her grandparents, resulting in her love of nature. Relocating to Australia she has hiked the Cape to Cape Track three times, climbed the Queen Charlotte and Routeburn trails, conquered the Overland and has completed the 1000km Bibbulmun Track.
Initially, Claudia bought cheap, second-hand gear. She froze in her too-thin sleeping bag and overloaded her oversized backpack so when she slipped on pea gravel and lay sprawled on the ground, she was unable to roll over or sit upright without some desperate manoeuvring. Her experience didn’t deter her as the serenity and magnitude of the landscape compelled her to invest in quality equipment and continue hiking. She hasn’t looked back. Here Claudia shares her hints for a happy hike, learned through trial and error (and campfire chatter):
Multi-day hiking essentials
1. Wear hiking socks and if use them orthotics when trying on boots and break them in prior to your hike.
2. Ensure your tent is waterproof, light, freestanding and high enough to sit up in while getting dressed.
3. Make sure your sleeping bag is adequate for the climate as overheating is just as uncomfortable as freezing.
4. Sleep is essential for recharging tired bodies so purchase a quality self-inflating mattress that won’t deflate during the night.
5. Walking poles with handgrips are excellent for balance when managing hills but are also useful to remove cobwebs and push aside overhanging foliage. Branches/sticks work just as well but may cause blisters.
6. Purchase a good quality hiking backpack that fits comfortably. It will be reasonably heavy so rest it on a tree stump for ease of slipping it on and off when making a pit stop. Pack the heaviest items towards the bottom and close to your back, with items to be accessed during the day towards the top or in outside compartments. Arrange items carefully to avoid exploding sunscreen tubes.
7. Carry a PLB and a whistle (which is louder than your voice) to alert people to your position, in emergencies.
8. Include a first aid kit consisting of: elastic bandages, sterile gauze, duct tape, anti-inflammatories, Imodium, Gastrolyte, anti-bacterial wipes, Panadol, chafing cream, antibiotic ointment and Fixomul (which not only eases blisters, small cuts and abrasions but can also be stuck over nails, screws or sharp objects to prevent puncturing an inflatable mattress).
9. Freeze dried and dehydrated meals, powdered milk, Gatorade powder, crackers and Vita Weats are easy to pack. Vintage cheese keeps for up to 4 days while parmesan cheese and dried herbs make everything tastier. Snacks like trail mix, protein bars, nuts, dried fruit and lollies can be kept handy in pockets.
10. Gaiters keep snow and water out of boots while also providing protection against snakes.
11. Boiling water takes time and uses fuel. Water filters are an option and water sterilising tablets are excellent for efficient disinfecting.
12. Pack the correct fuel and a windbreak for a small gas stove.
13. Include maps and guidebooks.
14. Don’t forget water bottles!
15.And remember the mosquito net if you're travelling where mozzies are a challenge!