Feb solo hike - gear, water and advice?

[Ashla113]

Hi,

I'm planning to walk to track solo in early Feb. It's my first solo hike, and the longest trip I've ever taken, but I've done some hard hikes before and am pretty excited. I have a few questions:

Cold weather gear/clothes: I'm planning to bring my waterproof winter jacket, a good fleece, long underwear, rainproof pants, gaiters. Are all these things absolutely essential even in the middle of summer? If not, which can I leave out? Do I need a winter hat and gloves? I'm also planning on borrowing/renting/buying a good bag and pad for -5 degrees.

# of outfits to bring: Will there be opportunities to give my clothes a rinse and dry - for example, for day to day clothes - do I need to bring more than 4 pairs of wool hiking socks, 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, and 2-3 shirts?

water: I have a katadyn hiker water filter that I normally bring - however it looks like there is a lot of good drinking water on this track that doesn't need tablets or filters - is this true? I'm really concerned about pack weight so would just bringing tablets suffice or should I pack the filter? It needs a new element and this seems to be expensive and hard to find in Aussie so if I could just use tablets or boil when in doubt that would probably be easier.

trekking poles: Are trekking poles really advantageous? I'm considering buying a 1pound tent that uses trekking poles, however I don't currently have poles as most of my gear is back in the US and I'm living in Aussie right now. Really I'd just like an excuse to get new high tech gear...but I can also probably borrow a tent that only weighs max 2 kg...1 lb is so light though....worth that extra kilo or two I may save?

I'm of course bringing all the normal essentials, stove, first aid, rope, sunscreen, hat, compass etc etc. But things like extra warm jackets, long underwear, rain gear, gaiters - normally I'd just bring a fleece and a plastic poncho and call it a day, but it seems like the weather can get pretty cold even in winter and I don't want to take any chances.

any recommendations on good camping gear in Sydney, Australia - or online, or places to get 2nd hand gear, or rent gear? A lot of the stores (Kathmandu etc) are super expensive here. My z-lite pad that I have at home (costs $30 at REI) was $85!!!!!!!!!! for a foam pad!!!!! I really need a sleeping pad that folds like an accordion as this becomes the frame for my ultra light weight pack.

[ollster]

It's my first solo hike, and the longest trip I've ever taken.

-Cold weather gear/clothes: I'm planning to bring my waterproof winter jacket, a good fleece, long underwear, rainproof pants, gaiters. Are all these things absolutely essential even in the middle of summer?

-Will there be opportunities to give my clothes a rinse and dry - for example, for day to day clothes - do I need to bring more than 4 pairs of wool hiking socks, 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, and 2-3 shirts?

Yes, bring gear to suit any conditions, it can snow in summer, and since you're solo you need to be well prepared. You probably will get chances to wash clothes, but washing clothes etc in the rivers is discouraged as it pollutes and can spread diseases.

water: I have a katadyn hiker water filter that I normally bring - however it looks like there is a lot of good drinking water on this track that doesn't need tablets or filters - is this true?

Water quality is not usually the problem on the OLT. It's people who don't practice proper hygiene that's the issue. I'd suggest being vary careful with hygiene and where you cook. It's a good idea to take some alcohol-based hand wash and use it before handling food, after using the toilet etc.

trekking poles: Are trekking poles really advantageous?

Entirely personal preference. If you're carrying a reasonable load and are young and fit they're not really needed and can be a hindrance in my opinion.

but it seems like the weather can get pretty cold even in winter and I don't want to take any chances.

I presume you mean summer, but yes, it can snow in summer and one day later be 25deg celsius and blazing sunshine.

any recommendations on good camping gear in Sydney, Australia - or online, or places to get 2nd hand gear, or rent gear?.

Most places price their stuff high and have regular sales, it's just the way it's set up around here. Macpac, Kathmandu and Mountain Designs amongst others. Good news for you is that time is now, so most places will have 25-50% off sales. We get price gouged here, so we've just learned to accept it!

Good luck!

PS: A one pound tent sounds a bit errrrrr... unsuitable. I cannot believe it would hold up to a blast of Tassie wind and rain. It will be your shelter and could save you from dying. Worst case scenario, but the gear is survival equipment when you get down to it, so think of your tent that way.

[ILUVSWTAS]

PS: A one pound tent sounds a bit errrrrr... unsuitable. I cannot believe it would hold up to a blast of Tassie wind and rain. It will be your shelter and could save you from dying. Worst case scenario, but the gear is survival equipment when you get down to it, so think of your tent that way.

Dont listen to him, he's a big strong man that carries a very heavy pack!! My latest tent weighs 700grams and im very confident of it's abilities.....

[ollster]

Dont listen to him, he's a big strong man that carries a very heavy pack!! My latest tent weighs 700grams and im very confident of it's abilities.....

My pack is not heavy, it's usually between 20-25% of my body weight! Your latest tent is saggy, you can't even sit up in it, and isn't freestanding, which makes it more difficult to pitch on tent platforms. PS: One pound is 453 grams in decimal. That's just folly.

[ILUVSWTAS]

And what IS your body weight??? Your pack IS heavy, regardless of how much you weigh!!

And you have not even seen my mew tent, no-one hasd yet. It's the deluxe model of the same type Martin has. Not the Vango, Vango is 1.1kg, this thing is 700g.
I've never had a free standing tent and have not had any worries setting them up on platforms.

[Nuts]

Hi,



# of outfits to bring: Will there be opportunities to give my clothes a rinse and dry - for example, for day to day clothes - do I need to bring more than 4 pairs of wool hiking socks, 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, and 2-3 shirts?

Good place to keep the weight down. Even if you could (or it was a good idea to) wash clothes they likely wont dry if the days arent warm.
Keeping to 2 sets of clothes 1 day/1 night might sound minimal but make sense.

Campsites are not far from huts, one walk where a light shelter would be enough (especially if you do decide to mostly use the huts.... like 99% of walkers on Any sign of rain)

I'd leave the filter/tablets at home, water wont get you, surface bugs might, just be careful around the huts as mentioned.

[ollster]

Campsites are not far from huts, one walk where a light shelter would be enough (especially if you do decide to mostly use the huts.... like 99% of walkers on Any sign of rain)

Ah yes, I keep forgetting that the hut capacity is effectively regulated in Summer now. She should be able to get into the huts. I haven't done the OLT in peak season for many years (before they started regulating) and getting space in the huts was a nightmare.

[ollster]

And what IS your body weight???

A lady never tells. It hovers around 2-3 figures.

Your pack IS heavy, regardless of how much you weigh!!

No it is NOT. 25kgs for me is the the equivalent of about an 16kg pack on you. It's not truely a linear relationship, but even so, 20-25kgs isn't heavy for me.

[ILUVSWTAS]

No it is NOT. 25kgs for me is the the equivalent of about an 16kg pack on you. It's not truely a linear relationship, but even so, 20-25kgs isn't heavy for me.

Lucky bugger. I remember being able to carry 20+kg, the thought is a nightmare to me now, but im sure it's got it's advantages.....

[Lizzy]

I agree with Nuts- there is no way I'd be washing clothes on a week long hike.... everyone else will be smelly too! I usually take a set to hike in and thermals to sleep in and maybe a second set of thermals.
If you are from the States you could always get friends / family to post you gear saving some of the high postal charges some websites charge or to get around exculsions like therma-rest, North Face. I have used Moontrail & Campsaver with no problems- usually gear arrives within 2 weeks direct from the store.
Cheers
Lizzy

[Nuts]

It still can be a bit of mayhem Ollster. The permit only needs to be picked up. After that the walkers can choose to spend however many nights at each hut. Most do the usual 5 nights but some get sneaky ideas about skipping huts. Some need to recover another night at Waterfall. Nowhere near the problem it was though.

Personally I prefer the tent Alsha. The hut wardens do a good job of 'educating' people on how to live with so many others but the huts can still get noisy smelly and there is always at least one odd-ball it seems

Gear, what do you need? hey try the for sale forum

[Ashla113]

ok - no washing clothes! I can live with being stinky and 2 sets and thermals and my jacket.

my tent would be 1 lb (without poles). With poles (or trekking poles) it would be about 2ish. So pretty standard as far as lightweight tents. I think I'll just carry the extra kilo and use a borrowed tent and skip the purchasing of trekking poles though. For now! I'm not sure how many kilos I weigh but I probably weigh about 130 lbs, and I'd like to keep my pack under 25lbs...my pack itself only weighs 1 and uses my tent poles and sleeping pad as a frame.

Water - don't need the filter. Boil if worried, be careful around huts. I can handle that.

pack liners - on order already. those seem like a must.

What about gaiters, gloves, and a winter hat? Needed?

Thanks all!

[north-north-west]

It is Tasmania, therefore there will be mud. Especially on the side trips, and the sidetrips are the best bit of the Overland. Yes, bring gaiters.
I never go into the mountains without a beanie. Doesn't need to be heavy, especially if you have a hooded jacket, but it's best to have something. As for gloves, I usually just carry a pair of thin polyprop or windstopper gloves in summer and autumn, unless the weather is obviously vile. After all, that's what pockets are for . . .

And don't forget the camera.

[Nuts]

Well, I was going to say that in February It will likely be as dry and warm as it gets. I wont carry gaiters gloves or a beanie.
But then perhaps you feel the cold. Maybe you need gaiters to face not diverting around the (possible) mud or for piece of mind as a snake layer?
If so then NW advice is probably advisable.

[north-north-west]

Bogdodging is a vile crime and should be punished by immediate and permanent expulsion from Tasmania. It damages the vegetation and spreads the bogs.

[Nuts]

Get real, Its the Overland Track. Youve just expelled perhaps 90% of the walkers

[north-north-west]

I know. Great way to get the place to ourselves, eh?

[tasadam]

Get real, Its the Overland Track. Youve just expelled perhaps 90% of the walkers

+1
February tho, the mud shouldn't be too bad. I'd still be taking gaiters.

[corvus]

Get real, Its the Overland Track. Youve just expelled perhaps 90% of the walkers

+1
February tho, the mud shouldn't be too bad. I'd still be taking gaiters.

+2 dont leave the gaiters behind nor a beanie or polypro gloves
c